Tomorrow is my eldest son's first day of grade one. We went to visit his teacher today and she asked (along with his old kindergarten teacher) how I was feeling about it. The truth was, I haven't even thought of that yet. The biggest thing on my mind was how we were going to give him enough time to keep our relationship strong in just the after-school and week-end hours. I haven't even contemplated missing him! I guess the two others at home and our business will keep me more than busy...but still I wonder how I'll feel in two weeks.
It was six years ago when I was in the throes of early motherhood for the very first time. And our first gave us quite an initiation. This boy was like a bright light that never quite completely turned off. Sleep deprivation was normal for a veerrrrrryyyy long time. Actually, we're just starting to come out of it...I think. He wouldn't accept anything but us for his soothing (and to be honest that's the way we wanted it...most of the time). He's still very good at getting what he needs...and if tonight was any indication, he still doesn't like to shut off easily. But he's a keen student and a bright kid. We love him and will look forward to his return at 3:12 every afternoon.
I'm contemplating starting to bake my own cookies now that I have a child in school full-time. Something about fresh-baked cookies after school that just makes you feel loved. Well, we'll see how often that happens, but it's worth a try, right? It would give me something to do with my little girl when her little brother is sleeping (and I'm not catching up on sleep or working on the computer!)
Happy mothering! The years fly by too quickly.
P.S. If you want to find one way to commemorate that special bond with your kids and support a mompreneurial business, I encourage you to read the Free Press article in today's paper on Enamoured Heart owner, Lori Bettig. She actually came in for a newborn session with her youngest, when we were still a home-based business.
