So, how’d it go? Did anyone go to a boo hoo breakfast? Did anyone boo hoo in their car after drop off?
I did.
And it totally caught me by surprise. I walked the kids in to their new classrooms, gave hugs and reassurances, and then walked out of school triumphant in all our morning accomplishments.
And then it hit me. Tears. Not so much the snot and hiccuping, but definitely the tears. What was that about? It wasn’t kindergarten; it wasn’t college. It was just your everyday elementary grades. Ugh. Sometimes my sappiness gets on my own nerves! I was sappy before becoming a Mom, but this is getting a little out of hand. 
I lost it on the way to drop off my 6th grader when Kiss FM played “Butterfly Kisses”…..major tears. Then my 6th grader said, “Mom, are you crying?”
Me: “Yes, but I’ll be fine”
6th grader: “Mom, I don’t think you need to walk me in today!”
Ugghhh!
I had tears just thinking about next year and watching the neighbor kid get on the bus for the first time. I still have 364 days left before I have to send my first to kindergarten. I am doomed.
Loved your article! To me, every step in a child’s life is a milestone! I think Mothers realize this more than anyone! Surely the crying helps us cope with all the changes that happen daily, weekly, yearly! You are doing great!
My youngest son is a leukemia survivor. We didn’t know for a time if he would live to see the first day of Kindergarten. Now he’s in the 4th grade. Every first day of school is a big tearfest for me, as is every milestone in his life. I’m just so thankful for each one and I’m even looking forward to the awful stuff that I know is coming when he hits the terrible teens.
I so agree with you – mine are in 1st and 5th and I still cried once I got back to my car! They grow up too fast – the only good advice I can give is cherish every moment you have like your last!
Just wanted to let all of you young moms know, it doesn’t get easier as time passes. I am an empty nester and miss the days of toys all over the house, yells from the bedroom because someone took something from one of them, and the busy weeks of coming and going all the time. I love the start of a new school year because I always thought of it as a new beginning, but it was the end of the year that would get to me. They were officially one year older and one year closer to leaving home. It’s been said that God prepares your heart to accept the empty nest when the time comes, and He does. So enjoy your time with them now they’ll be gone before you know it.