Kindergarten. She loves it. She loves it not...She loves it?
I spend bedtime these days discussing why people go to school. I let her talk. I listen. Sometimes the conversation ends in a point blank reason why people go to school. Always, except for last night when Jason put her to bed, she says the day is too long at school. I agree with that. But, I think it's just new and she's adjusting. So am I.
Here's the latest goodnight talk:
"Why do I have to go to school?"
"You learn at school."
"Why do I have to learn?"
"Don't you think learning at school is fun?"
"Yah, but why do I have to go to school?"
"You learn at school so you can do things by yourself and eventually get a job someday after all the learning
"Is there any job you don't have to go to school for."
"Let me think...I don't think so."
"Well I will just stop going to school and play music then."
Yes, I told her that musicians go to school too.
I've found as long as I talk to her every day about whatever she needs to talk about, she has no problem separating at the school door in the morning. I do worry that the day is long. I do worry that her number one advocate (me) is not there when the going gets tough at school. I do worry that she is afraid, at least for now, of speaking up.
But in less than two weeks of school she has better handwriting than me, can give math lessons to the younger kids and she is reading her first "chapter" book (coincidentally "Pig Can Jig" was Jason's first real book in Kindergarten too). So, the learning is happening. She is a rule follower like I was in school; she'll do anything not to get sent to the "peace chair."
Ultimately, I want her to love school I want her to get excited about the next day. So, we will give it some time and hope for the best. Btw, I loved school. Perfect attendance even. But then, my rock and roll dreams came later. At least Mags has a five year old fallback plan to rock.
As always, when it's hard (or boring) at home, we are escapists. We spent a weekend in Maine for a dear friend's wedding. It was exactly what we all needed. Clean crisp air, hiking, fireplaces and camping (in a cabin-in 30 degree weather-with a space heater, of course). On Monday, after school, Mags asked me, 'When can I come back to school?" She had a look on her face that told me she was just trying to make me happy. But, I'll take it.
And this week, Jason and I went to Palm Springs to play a wedding. It was a 2 day vacation, really. And, when I got back she's back to the whole school rollercoaster again. People have been telling me to wait until December... I'm impatient. I'm working on feeling less guilt about the whole thing. This is a common theme in my life as a mom. But that is the gift no one tells you about before you have kids, guilty mom syndrome. Next week, Austin. Avocado Magaritas here I come.