I can still picture that moment vividly. I was seated in a beautiful church, my lively toddler, Ethan, bouncing on my lap. As I tried to keep him entertained during a formal wedding ceremony, a mother next to me shared that her son would soon be starting kindergarten. A twinge of jealousy hit me.
It may sound harsh, but it was true. My son was still so small, yet the days felt incredibly long. He was too young for the activities I had envisioned as a mother—art projects, park adventures, baseball games. I was still grappling with my lost sense of independence, not yet fully accepting the reality of prioritizing someone else’s needs above my own. At times, I even felt a hint of resentment.
When that mother mentioned her son’s upcoming school start, I mentally calculated how many years it would be until Ethan would follow suit. Four years felt like an eternity—like a different lifetime altogether.
Fast forward to now. We’ve navigated through those four years, with my little one at my side almost every day. It has been a journey—better and harder than I ever anticipated. As kindergarten approaches, I find myself in a bittersweet mix of anticipation and sadness. It’s the end of one chapter and the exciting beginning of another.
While I empathize with other parents who get emotional at the thought of school, I don’t completely resonate with their feelings. Yes, life will transform, and I will miss Ethan’s cheerful smile during those long school hours—especially during our quiet moments together, probably more than I realize. Yet, there’s also a growing sense of pride that fills my heart. Look at how far we’ve come, I think, as I admire his long limbs and bright grin.
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In summary, the anticipation of my son starting kindergarten is filled with mixed emotions—a blend of excitement for what lies ahead, and a tinge of nostalgia for the time we’ve shared.
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