The First Day from a Mom's POV-Heather

Whether it's the first day to school, for the very first time, or the first day back after a fleeting summer the result can be the same; nerve-racking. 

Sweaty palms, racing heart, a timid stance.  Some are familiar with these rights of passage into a new grade, a new school, or a new environment for our little ones on their first day.  

The 'Jitters' aren't just for our little ones.  The thoughts are already present in my mind, though my son is only 3;

Will he be scared?  

Will he have an unkind interaction?

Will he make friends?

Will he miss his mommy and want to come home? (I 'm kind of hoping the answer to the first part of this question is yes:)

I recall my childhood days, that first week before school started and that little ting of anticipation and nervousness mixed together.  I remember distinctly crying to my mother in elementary school because I didn't want to ride the bus, where supervision inevitably was somewhat less than the classroom, and all the grades meshed into one.  I still don't recall a single incident on the bus that was particularly scaring, however it was the anticipation that someone would be 'mean' to me and that feeling of being vulnerable that I think led me to plead with my mother.  She did however, have me ride the bus.  Not every single day, but I rode nonetheless.  It was one of those fears that needed to be worked through, for me to see that I would be 'ok.'  

I'm both excited and scared for my son at the same time.  As a parent your instinct is to protect, even from the smallest pains.  But another crucial role is also to let your child experience the world and make it through the feelings described above, on their own terms, with their own resources.  Never alone though, as we can offer our ears, our hearts, and our encouraging words to our children as they go through these milestones.  They will without a doubt at some point feel uncomfortable, embarrassed, and defeated.  This is life.  You can't protect them from those truths no matter how hard you try.  I tell myself however that I CAN be there to guide him through these times, and to be the presence that is in the background of his subconscious whispering 'it's ok,' 'you can do this,' and 'you are loved and valuable.'