As your kids hit school age, you start to really see them for the people they are and who they will be. You also fret a lot. You worry about them making friends, fitting in, doing well at school, the list goes on.
When the kids get through kindergarten their world starts to separate more and more from your world and you have to start ASKING what is going on instead of being the one controlling it.
I have to admit, I do enjoy watching their little worlds expand and their confidence in themselves with it. The two of them marched in the house the other day and announced that they had both joined the ‘Walking Club.’
Apparently the first rule of walking club is to not talk about the walking club since when I asked about what that entails, all I got was “we walk.”
Nuff said.
However, coming from a girl AND boy who complain if they have to walk ANYWHERE about sore legs…this is all a bit surprising.
What was even MORE surprising is our gamer/emo/slacker boy joined the track team and seems to LOVE it. We headed out to watch his first mini meet, and he may not be the fastest, but he is enthusiastic and is listening and learning.
We really saw how confident they are in their own worlds when we were on the cruise. They would vanish into the Oceaneer Lab or Club with nary a backward glance and be gone for hours in their own world where they didn’t need mom or dad. They made friends and connections on the ship and waved hi at kids we didn’t know as we wandered about.
Last night a GIRL that they met onboard CALLED Adam. Their world continues to grow.
I will admit that seeing my sweetie in the Grade 1 line up both scares me and thrills me. For once they are not in my control (and mama likes control) and subject to the whims, bad manners and politics of the elementary school playground.
I ache when I have to explain that some people are just mean….and try and shore up the cracked self esteem.
At the same time, I love seeing how my children are evolving in to independent and GOOD people. My work is paying off….but the pace is a little quicker than I’d choose.
His first long distance phone call, and he’s not even in the double digits yet?
Oh my.