I haven't cried like I thought I would. But I feel awful. I feel like the back of my eyes are burning, I want to throw up and my chest wants to explode. Maybe if I cried I'd feel better. I've got a ton of stuff to do, but can't seem to get started. It's her first phase-in day and only for 3 hours. And it's not like this is new. I worked full-time after I went back to work for almost a year. Then I worked part-time for the past 3 1/2 years. And she's gone to a preschool 2 or 3 days a week for the past couple of years. It ought to be old hat. But my heart is beating 200 beats a sec I think. She was fine, excited. It was all girls today. She was so cute and so big girl looking this morning. Ugh! I'm just not ready for her to grow up. Here come the tears!

By Luvn29 on Tuesday, August 8, 2006 - 10:49 am:

Pre-school is a totally different thing than kindergarten, so I understand. It's that whole "letting go" stage. I felt that mine would never be the same after they started school and had so many other people influencing them.

It's hard letting go in Kindy because you feel they are officially growing up.

Let the tears come, you'll feel much better.

My dd is going to the middle school in a couple of days, and I am so upset by it. She's not a little girl anymore. Another thing that doesn't help is that I work as a substitute at the Primary school and am there all the time, and everyone knows me. But at the middle school, I'm just another parent, and won't be on the "inside" with her anymore...

By Angellew on Tuesday, August 8, 2006 - 10:51 am:

{{{{Debbie}}}}} I have anxiety just thinking about sending my DD to school next year. And this year, we have to deal with a new daycare, so, I kind of know how you're feeling!!!

All I can offer is {{hugs}}!!!!!

By Nicki on Tuesday, August 8, 2006 - 11:25 am:

Hugs to you! I teared up just reading your post. Wish we were all there to give you hugs and let you cry.

I think there needs to be a parent support group for the first day of school! I will face this soon, and I am very much dreading it. I think all the moms should have a place to go and cry and talk until the three hours are up!

Maybe you can let us know about her morning. I think that's a neat idea that it's all girls today. I hope she has lots of fun. Hope you are feeling better, too!

By Imamommyx4 on Tuesday, August 8, 2006 - 11:33 am:

It's time to go get her. Yeah! I was talking to a friend last week and at their child's school, they have a "crying room" for moms on the first day. Our school doesn't have that. But her teacher did ask if we (the parents) needed a hug. She is very sweet!

By Crystal915 on Tuesday, August 8, 2006 - 11:52 am:

((((HUGS)))) Mine will go next year, so I feel for you!!

By Tink on Tuesday, August 8, 2006 - 12:24 pm:

My youngest starts kindy in three weeks and I know I'm going to have a tough time with it. She'll do fine and I love her school and teacher but she'll still be going off to school and she's my baby!!! {{{Debbie}}} It's good to hear that you made it through the first day.

By Luvn29 on Tuesday, August 8, 2006 - 01:17 pm:

Tink, I so understand that. I thought it was so hard letting my first go, but it was nothing compared to sending the last one off. It's just so final!

By Reds9298 on Tuesday, August 8, 2006 - 01:45 pm:

HUGS, HUGS! I hugged many a crying mommies as a Kindergarten teacher and it always tore me up. Now that I have my own I know that I will be a BASKET CASE! It's a lot different than preschool. You made it through the first day...yay!!

My friend said the hardest thing for her was that her daughter didn't seem to mind leaving her. She had done such a good job of preparing her for K (what to expect, meeting the teacher, etc.) that her dd was so ready on the first day and Mommy wasn't!

By Dawnk777 on Tuesday, August 8, 2006 - 03:11 pm:

I remember leaving my mom and walking right into my kindergarten room! LOL! My kids weren't quite that brave, though!

By Andi on Tuesday, August 8, 2006 - 03:51 pm:

I feel your pain! Dylan starts Kindergarten next week on Wednesday. I know I will be a mess.

By Tayjar on Tuesday, August 8, 2006 - 04:05 pm:

Luvn, my DD starts 5th grade this year. Next year is junior high. I am so not ready for that. I think I am having a harder time with her going into junior high in a year than I did with kindergarten.

By Luvn29 on Tuesday, August 8, 2006 - 04:43 pm:

Tayjar, I was so upset all of last year, everytime I thought about that being her last year as a Primary student.

They used to have fourth grade in the middle school! Thank goodness they changed it, and it's fifth through eighth now...

By Imamommyx4 on Tuesday, August 8, 2006 - 08:14 pm:

She had a great day (or 3 hours)--teacher very nice and funny, made new friends, recess was fun, loves the playground and on and on. Oh how I love that little girl. I guess my biggest issue is just selfishness. I enjoy her so much and am going to miss her. She talks almost non-stop all day to me. And I love listening to how her little brain works. She's such a great kid. And she's the only girl and the youngest by 15 1/2 years. This is just so it!

By Colette on Wednesday, August 9, 2006 - 08:59 am:

((Debbie)) I felt the same way when my youngest went to school.