Back to school: Day One
For the most part, the first day back to school went smoothly in our home.
My oldest daughter, Liv, 10, was a bit anxious last night. But she calmed down when we assured her that her grade 5 teacher wouldn't mind that she had forgotten how to do long division and spell the days of the week in French over the summer. She woke up this morning, ready to take on the new year.
Sophie, 7, skipped from our house to the school yard - five minutes away. But she froze and turned ashen when another mom announced that the grade 1/2 teacher had broken her leg last night (what timing!) and there would be a supply teacher for at least a week. Sophie wouldn't let go of my hand until the last child in her class was finally marching in the door and she had no choice but to follow.
Oh, how I hate going to work knowing one of my kids is not happy or stressed.
The good news is that my husband picked the girls up at 3:30 and called me to say they both had a great day. (Sophie loved the supply teacher - her older sister used to call them "surprise" teachers).
The best back-to-school story came to me from a former co-worker who left Canadian Living magazine last week to pursue a degree in environmental studies. Miriam went to orientation day at University of Toronto this afternoon and then and emailed me to say a lot of students brought their parents ... and it was the parents who were asking all the questions.
Yes, this is university! Talk about not being able to let go.
I hope the first day back to school went well for your family. Write and tell me your stories!
- Kathryn
P.S. Tomorrow I'll announce two winners of book contest.
Tags: back to school, contest, family
September 8th, 2009 at 8:50 pm
It doesn't matter how old or young your child is, the first day back to school is always so stressful. I think as parents it's also very nerve wrecking to leave them there.
September 9th, 2009 at 3:16 pm
My daughters (10 and 13) were thrilled to start a new school year and see their classmates after 6 weeks of vacation (we live near Hamburg, Germany). Can you believe my 6th grader's class could not yet be told who would be their Frech teacher?! Great planning.