The Apprehension

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Sometimes we worry about so much and lose sleep over things that just don’t happen.

My son started school in January and I’m not sure who was more nervous, him or me! Due to Covid, the obligatory one week orientation did not happen last year. Instead it was two one hour sessions at the school. The first week he cried and wouldn’t go into the class or do any of the activities. The second week he entered the class but I had to stay at a distance that he could make eye contact. It all came flooding back, my first year of school and crying every day for a whole year! Is this what lay ahead for me - A taste of the medicine I gave my mum? Ha ha.

The Age

I read up a lot about the right time to send your child to school especially if it was a boy. He started school 4 months shy of being 5 years. We also sought counsel from his current daycare provider. We knew he was ready and academically he was fine but shy in new settings.

The Preparation

We read books that would assist such as ‘Miss Bindergarten goes to kindergarten’ and my own of course ‘Mala’s school blues’. To get the excitement going, he chose his bag, lunch box, water bottle etc. We bought his school uniform together and we practiced at home dressing in it and pretending that I was the teacher for the day and we had lunch together and did a few lessons. We also visited the park near the school a few times and stood outside the school gate and spoke about school. And most importantly I tried not to look nervous or anxious and was deliberately excited.

The First Day

I was all prepared for the first day of school to be filled with crocodile tears. And guess what? None. Absolutely nada, nil. Well okay, I had a tear or two…but that was it.

I was surprised. He was actually excited to go to school and in his first day he made 2 friends. And that night he said to me he has to make one more friend because that’s what is on his vision board!

We sometime's do not give children enough credit. Children are resilient, they listen, they hear and observe even when we think they don’t. I couldn’t be more proud.

Stop worrying

It got me thinking about our apprehensions and how we worry about things that we shouldn’t be no matter how big or small. There’s a brilliant book I’ve read many times

'How to stop worrying and start living?' by Dale Carnegie. (Looks like it’s time for me to revisit this one :) ). It talks about living in day tight compartments where we don’t allow one situation to consume our whole life. And to practice writing down what worries us and put the list in a drawer and leave it there. Come back a few months later and you will notice that most things you worried about didn’t happen. Another tip…when you worrying about something, ask yourself ‘what’s the worst that could happen?’ That will put things in perspective.

Remember the classic children's book, Chicken Licken? It's about the little chicken who thinks the world is coming to an end and goes about warning everyone that the sky is falling when an acorn falls on his head! Aren't we like that sometimes making things bigger than they really are?

So today, let’s all take a leaf out of Dale Carnegie’s book and keep things in perspective. Be like a little child and enjoy every moment. As I write this, first term of school has concluded and we are on easter break. Give children the tools, teach them the lessons and sit back and watch them soar.

Please like and share this post....I'm sure there's at least one person in your circle who will be encouraged :)

Your fellow Rookie Parent,

Sash

Links to Books : How to stop worrying and start living? by Dale Carnegie

Miss Bindergarten goes to kindergarten by Puffin Books

Mala’s school blues by Sashni Pillai

I am an Accountant, Author and Blogger. Home is Australia with my husband, 4 year old son and Mum.

I believe that in sharing we grow. And that's how this website and blog was born focusing on children and parents. It sure does take a village to raise a family and build a home.

It's so easy to forget 'you' on this journey. This website's here to remind you not to!