Kindergarten

[Dia Minha]

It was so fun to see all the kindergarten mommies this morning. I am so excited my son will be in kindergarten with so many great and wonderful children.

My DS did get into all day kindergarten. Which is such a relief. When we went into testing last Friday he wouldn't talk to the teacher. He went completely mute and I had to send him back with Daddy later. I was so upset and sat home in tears.

I had known he had a speech problem, of sorts, but I couldn't get anyone to agree with me. I thought maybe, because no one else was worried I shouldn't be either. I did have him in for testing a year ago and he didn't qualify for state help. The test consisted of him repeating sounds and words back to the teacher. Because he could say all the sounds, they said there was nothing they could do for him. Yet, the first time he spoke an entire sentance to the teacher she looked at me and asked me what he said.

I look back now and realize how many times he goes through a day without saying a word. He uses a lot of sign language and gestures to communicate. Because I know him so well, I didn't even notice how much he wasn't talking and how often when he does I would need him to repeat it in order to understand. He talks to a lot of other children his age, but rarely communicates with words when dealing with adults. I feel like he needs the extra time away, working with educated adults in order for him to gain what he needs to make it in the "real world". I am so thankful he has that opportunity.

He is so ready. He left this morning and went to kindergarten all by himself. Neither Fubeca or I noticed he had left until we putting the little girls in the van and couldn't find him. I was so angry and scared, because I didn't even think he knew how to get to the school. We found him riding his bike, not a care in the world, near the school. Talking to one of the mommies later, I discovered that he had even tried to go to class with them. I know that being independent is a good thing. I just wish my children would grow up a little more before deciding they can take care of everything themselves.

So, how are the rest of you mommies handling sending your little ones off to kindergarten?

Dia

[bookworm]

Hey, Dia, I just remembered that I heard once that kids being raised bilingual will sometimes be a little delayed in some speech development areas, but that it is normal and they usually outgrow it in time. I wonder if that's all it is.

I really enjoyed seeing you mommies there, too. I wish I could have stayed on to visit longer. DH's car is in pieces in the garage, so I had to drive him to work. Wed. is my big taxi day- piano lessons, orthodonist appointments, etc.

Anyway, my Kgartener is ready, too. I am just thrilled that I could look around and see so many mommies that I know. I feel so blessed to have so many ladies I call friends. Good luck to you all and your kids.

That is funny, Dia, that he took off this morning for school. Only not funny! I would have had a heart attack!!! Good think he knows where to go, though, huh?

[Dia Minha]

Yeah BW, it is quite common for some delayments. It just seems that each child is a little more delayed then the next and about the time I really start getting concerned they pull out of it.

I feel really bad about grounding him. I just didn't know what else to do. He has been so sneaky lately. Going off to a friends house to drop something off for me and not coming back or going to a different friends house when he told me he was at anothers. I just couldn't let this one go. He can not leave this house without telling me he is going and where he is headed.

Dia

[bookworm]

Oh, I think grounding is absolutely justified in this case. How frightening! He is too adventurous for his own good, it sounds like! I wouldn't waste energy feeling too badly, either. It was his action that made this consequence happen- let him own it. My second son was also very adventurous when he was little, but thankfully he pulled back by the time he was school age. He had some trauma (stitches in his mouth, thumb, head, etc. all in a short time) that seemed like it slowed him down- not so fearless anymore! Anyway, you are a good mom, you'll know what to do for him.

[missypoohsticks]

My daughter started preschool the Wed after Labor Day. I think I'm crazy b/c I cried all the way home from dropping her off. HELLO!!!! IT'S ONLY PRESCHOOL!! She's just growing up way too fast!

[5ft Diva]

I think you're not alone there, MPS. I find it hard to let my children move on to the next stage because....well, I'm not quite sure why that's hard but it is. I think it just means you care about her a lot. She's a very lucky little girl.

[Dia Minha]

So does that mean I don't care about my son and he is not so lucky, because I was excited to see him go?

Dia

[LostnFound]

Dia, I totally understand what you are saying.

I must admit that my fifth child starting Kindgergarten was quite less exciting than my first was. I now look forward to the time when they are in school.

But I still remember my first starting and I did cry.

[Dia Minha]

Thanks LnF. It is nice to know that I am not the only one. I was the same with my oldest.

I love watching my children grow and become independent. Just today I took my three year old to her first dance class. When she came out of the classroom and saw me sitting on the bench waiting for her, she said, "Mom I didn't want you to stay here. I wanted you to leave." What is really funny is I had left, but returned just moments before to pick her up. I love that she wants to do things for herself.

Now I have to admit, when my children walk into their first day of Nursery without so much as a goodbye, I get a little teary eye. And when my five and eight year old boys insist on going to their first day of school without me, I'm a little dissappointed. However, my ultimate goal is to raise children that can grow up, move out into the world, contribute to society, and never, ever, need or want to move back into my house. I hope by the time I have grandchildren I will be ready to be done raising children and have the opportunity to spoil a few. You can't spoil children that live with you. It just doesn't work.

Dia

[bookworm]

Well said, Dia!

Yesterday when I dropped DD and her friend off for Kgarten, I actually dropped them off and got right back in the car- they can wait for 5 minutes with the other kids just fine! Another mom looked at me and said, "I'll watch her!" and I said back- "Oh, she'll be fine!" thinking- really, she can handle standing by the door until the teacher lets them in. I wouldn't leave her all alone- but with a buddy or the group of her classmates, I'm confident she will be fine. I'm not going to walk her to the door every day all year- I want her to be able to be dropped off and be just fine. She is 5 now, not 3 any more. She can handle following instructions and doing what she's told- and I want her to know that I know she can handle it! I want empowered children! Does that make sense? Heck, if her brothers would walk instead of ride scooters, I'd have her walk home with them every day.

I did cry when my first child went to Kindergarten, though. And a little when he went to Jr. High this year. It's fun and scary and bittersweet to see the oldest child reaching all these milestones.

[Dia Minha]

I had another one of those moments this morning, where I had a hard time letting my child be independent. My 4th grader wanted to carry her project to school, on her bike, by herself. It was a medium size suitcase full of show and tell items. It was a little heavy and I tried to talk her into letting me take her. She really wanted to do it by herself. I made her ride back and forth in front of the house to make sure she could handle it ok, and she could. So I let her go.

Dia

[5ft Diva]

Originally Posted by Dia Minha

So does that mean I don't care about my son and he is not so lucky, because I was excited to see him go?

Dia

LOL I knew someone was going to say something along those lines...oh well, I opened myself up for it.