T minus Five Days

In five days, my five-year-old, my firstborn, my wild, crazy, exuberant, bright, hilarious boy will be in KINDERGARTEN. I cannot believe this for many reasons. On one hand, he’s way too smart for kindergarten. Shouldn’t he be in college already? These five (almost six!) years have simultaneously gone by at light speed and also at a snail’s pace. Part of me is saying, Finally! Another part of me is saying, Wait!

I know every parent goes through some of these feelings when her child starts school. I have the same anxieties about how he’ll fit in, if he’ll get in trouble, if he’ll make friends, how he’ll cope with all new: new teacher, new classroom, new building, new friends, new rules, new toys, new schedule, new expectations, new books, new songs, new everything! It’s a lot to shift to!

I also have anxiety over “the diagnosis.” Will he be treated differently because he has ADHD? Will he have extreme outbursts and start off by getting in trouble? Will he be labeled a “problem” from the get-go? Will all the newness be way too much for his brain to handle? Will he hurt another child? Will he be hurt by another child? Will his own anxiety overtake him and send him into depression? Will mine? Will everyone like him? Will they see how amazing he is? Will he be given chances?

Well, there’s no way of knowing any of this until we plunge into it. We were very fortunate to get to meet Hayden’s teacher one-on-one. She is very sweet and patient, and he took an instant liking to her. She reminds me of my sister-in-law, and I wonder if Hayden sees that too. (Beth’s a teacher and Hayden got to be in her first-grade class one day last year. He loved it!) We got to see Hayden’s classroom, the cubbies, the tables, the chairs, the centers, and after a few minutes, Hayden directed me, Scott and Parker out of the room so he could be alone with Mrs. Vandiver. We happily obliged and left them alone for a few minutes. Scott and I checked out the playground and the library, and marveled at how big the school seemed. When we got back to the classroom, Hayden was very engaged with his teacher. She told us he made sure there were enough chairs for everyone in the class and even helped stack them up. Then he discovered some Legos and worked with them while we talked a little longer with her.

I’m pleased that they both got a little one-on-one time before the session starts. I know how hectic things will be initially, and I hope Hayden got some of his questions answered already. When it was time to go, Hayden pulled Mrs. Vandiver’s arm to come with us, then he had a slight meltdown, then he pulled it together and we got out of there unscathed. I’m glad she got to see that side too, so it won’t be a complete shock if it happens. Hopefully it won’t. Lots of times, kiddos with ADHD keep it together at school, especially if they feel safe and it’s well-structured. They have the meltdowns at home, with the moms. Yea for moms! I’ll update when I can. Tonight is the official Meet The Teacher’s night. I’ll be going solo, while Scott watches the kiddos. We felt it was in everyone’s best interest to do it this way.

Here are some pictures of Hayden’s new wardrobe for school. It’s very surfer-rocker-chic, I think it fits him well (pun!). I’m fairly certain flip flops are not allowed, but he wanted to wear his for the photo shoot (which I bribed him mercilessly to do!).