I'm not so old that I do not remember the first day back to school throughout most of elementary, middle, high school or even at University. I have not had to prepare a child for the first day at school or back to school but I have lived vicariously through the experience of other parents, especially Moms. I adopted this family from church with four children and asked the Mom what was needed and she gave me names, ages and sizes. I was assigned to take care of underwear and the like. Yikes! What a chore that turned out to be! Imagine someone with no children trying to shop for 4 kids from age 3 to 12. The girls are the youngest and oldest. I won't tackle that again. I decided I will give a gift card from the store and let Mom do the shopping next time. I tried very hard to put myself into it and faked it a bit but after finishing, I realised I had a fun time except for worrying if the kids would like their undergarments. What I did has to be the easiest part of going back to school after a long summer break. I thought about the big list of things to do and the clothes and school supplies that must be bought; not to mention a biological clock schedule change that must be adjusted. Moms and Mr. Moms have scurried about in the heat of summer to get physicals, dental checkups, orthodontic adjustments, haircuts and shopping completed. What I visited most concerns the mental changes and adjustments students of all ages must make and it can't be easy. Transitions taking place will be challenging, frightening, upsetting and a sign of growth and maturation. These transitions may not be willingly accepted but forced without harmful intent because life happens. Infants become toddlers; toddlers become boys and girls who become adolescents then teens; teens become young adults who become fully grown. (God willing!) WHAT WILL BACK TO SCHOOL MEAN? - Back to school will mean a pre-K student going to the first grade will now stay in school all day instead of half a day. The child has to become accustomed to being away from Mom most of the day.
- Back to school for the sixth grader will mean breaking away from one classroom and teacher for most of the day, to several classrooms and teachers throughout the day. This child who is already experiencing physical and hormonal changes is actually scared half to death. They are usually too frightened to admit it and are caught between wanting to be in Mom's lap to thinking no one loves them. Finding their locker and getting to classes on time could make this child an olympic runner.
- Leaving middle school and entering high school for this age group is almost heaven as long as they feel they are wearing a parachute. They must be out of braces at this age and are now hoping they are smart enough to 'make the grade.' They are the ones with the most nervous excitement, I feel, because their is more excitement than fear.
- A junior becoming a senior in high school knows the GPA must be as high as it possibly can for any Ivy League school to glance in their direction but then it is the last year of childhood (in their minds). Others know how much a high GPA matters, period. The pressure is on to make something of themselves and moving beyond high school is a gigantic leap from irresponsible teen to responsible college student or employee.
- Matriculating at University is a pivotal moment for freshmen. The moment they've waited for all their lives is now at hand but for the life of them, they can't figure out why they're homesick!
I've only written from my imaginings and not from the experience of preparing a child for the first day back to school. My prayer is for each child to feel loved and safe. I do not want them preoccupied with adult matters. I desire for the innocence of youth to be protected and respected. I want their first day back to school to be one of the best days of the rest of the school year! Moms, Dads, and Guardians? Give them a hug for me? - Back to school for Moms, Dads, and Guardians means all of the above and then some. You're no doubt experiencing what the children are so I suggest a group hug.
You'll have lovely stories to hear when they get home from the first day back to school. Others of you will receive phone calls, just as I will. Nieces and nephews will be amazed they survived the day, just as I have assured them they will. 2006 Avis Ward |
