Well... That time has come for us as parents to watch our little boy move on in the world. His first day of orientation at preschool. Cathy and I were there with him, as were all of his classmates and their parents. I saw many tears welling in the parents' eyes as we saw our children meeting and playing with each other.
We're kind of worried because John (not his real name) is not really 100% potty trained and we're both really working hard to keep on top of his training before the first day of school. Because if he decides to poop in his pants at preschool he'll get sent home... for the year! So we're kinda doing a cram-session with him right now. He poops-in-the-potty and he gets to go do stuff, play on the computer or the ipod- he poops his pants, all of them get taken away until he uses the potty again. We've tried everything else and we're desperate!
I guess it really hit me when we all went shopping for his new bed he'll be sleeping on this year. A big-boy (twin) bed! He was so excited to pick it out! Delivery will happen tomorrow. I still see him as my little 3 year old, but that was a long time ago (about 2 months) and he has grown so much.
I know it's common for parents to get emotional send their kids off to school, but I was really hit hard with it. Talking with a dad that just sent their kids off to college made me feel better though. He said that they're able to do a lot more stuff and have had a lot more time. Sure, it was depressing at first, but regaining some semblance of your life without kids was kinda nice.
So, I'm taking a new view on this whole transition and putting it in a positive light. When we send him off on his first day of school, we will look at him as a kid, complete and ready for the world! Sure, when we go home the house will seem horribly empty and there will be tears. We will move on, though and hope the best for him. Cathy and I will be able to do more stuff together as a couple. We're looking at renovating the house. I already have an idea what to do with John's room!
Our little boy... all grown up! I just hope he drives safely.
Tags: dad, father, fatherhood
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AWWWWWWW!!!!!!
Yeah, it’s that time of year again. But that’s a LOT of pressure – he gets sent home for the YEAR?! That’s not positive reinforcement, dude. Talk about potential set-backs. I’d have a coronary just reading those terms!
Potty training blows right now; we’re in the midst of it. We send Anakin to orientation next Friday. Me? Not so ready. The husband? Very much ready. I’m the infant/baby one and he’s the older kid guy. He’s so excited about him growing up, becoming his own individual, developing his personality, interests…He’ll be SO excited and happy to be making new friends. I am happy that he’s happy.
But the second you set up John’s room, hook a sista up. ;0)
Crying out loud, even *I* have problems with potty training at times… 35 years of existence on this planet has proven that nothing is ever “regular”.
The school we’re putting our guy into is understanding and they just request that all be potty trained, but at the same time, every child must have a spare set of clothing just in case…
Just wait till he goes to his first Disturbed concert. That’s where Alex is tonight.