I told a friend that I was emotional when my third child entered kindergarten a few days ago. He had this surprised look in his face as if to say…

“Really?! Shouldn’t you be used to it by now”

Maybe I should be, and maybe I could avoid feeling emotional. Truthfully, I don’t want to.

I join the other mothers that want to feel, because I get to relive and remember the times my baby needed me. They all enter the big world with different readiness. And we are fearful how they will adjust to all the changes.

I mean for the longest time everything was done for them and now they are expected to do it on their own. No wonder we’re freaking out if their teachers will know if they are feeling scared. We hope that they will be brave enough to say so.

My tears on my drive away from Jonah’s school was both of pride and sadness.

I did my usual ugly cry because I know my brilliant, self-reliant and sensitive boy is on his own. Images of him as a baby came flooding back to me. His sweet smiley face.

I’m extra protective of him.

Since you should know that a few days after his birth we had to return to the hospital because of an infection. We stayed an extra 10 days to get him treated with antibiotics. He was poked with needles and was attached to an IV. It was extra bonding time with him and I know I couldn’t show any fear.

I understand the feeling. The panic and thought of your newborn in danger. I know enough families and friends, who showed such heart, when situations resulted in a premature birth. Days and months of hospital stay. With that, we can acknowledge that we don’t know what brings on another parent’s emotions.

This isn’t to say that every parent cries like me, I try to do it in private.

I understand that we need to keep a brave face. Because if a little gets in, we might not be able to keep it together in front of our child — who at that moment needs a knowing face. A face that says “You’re gonna be great!”

Thank you for letting me feel and letting others express themselves. Everyone will celebrate this right of passage their own special way.

My hats off to you for cherishing every milestone and allowing yourself to live the moment with gratitude and love.

I know I’ve had to be more creative with this step into the big world. Read more about that here. 

How about you, I’d like to know more how you handle milestones like these. How do you help your child and your family navigate through the change? Let me know in the comments below.

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