I’ll never forget my little guy’s first day of school… because it happened just last year. I somberly dressed him in his adorable school uniform, packed his favourite snack and secured him in our car. And as we drove, I promised myself I wouldn’t cry.
“You okay back there?” I asked.
“Where are we going, Mommy?” Ryder asked.
“We’re going to school.”
I suppose I could have said “We’re going to Tibet” or “We’re going to protest whale poachers” – because he had no frame of reference for what “school” was. I swallowed the lump in my throat and kept driving.
As we pulled up to the school’s Kiss ‘N Ride zone, his new teacher opened the car door and welcomed Ryder. And as she took his hand to help him out of the car, he darted a furtive glance at me.
“Mommy!” he called, just as the door slammed shut. I waved at him quickly and then stoically drove away, knowing that the separation anxiety would overwhelm him, but staying would only make it worse.
As soon as I turned the corner, the tears started flowing. I couldn’t believe that we had come to this day! My little baby with the sweet mermaid eyes. My little boy with the sensitive heart. He was growing up much, much too quickly.
I spent the entire afternoon pacing back and forth, watching the clock until it was time to pick him up. And as I pulled into the school shortly after 3:30pm, I saw him. A little boy with a tear-streaked face, using the back of his hand to wipe his nose. Red-rimmed eyes and a quivering bottom lip, clutching onto his new teacher’s hand with all his might. And as I drew closer and we made eye contact, I read his mind as clearly as if there was a thought bubble over his head. And it read:
“B*tch! Oh no you didn’t!”
Let’s just say that the ride home included a few hurled accusations about child abandonment. I was already looking forward to the second day of school. Right.
Do you remember your first day? Whether it was side-splitting or tear-jerking, Staples Canada wants to know!
Enter Staples Canada’s #GoingBack contest. THREE (3) entrants will each win a Canon EOS Rebel T3 Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm IS Lens Kit (value $600 CAD) awarded to Best Video Entry, Best Written Entry and Best Picture Entry. The contest will be judged by a panel of popular Canadian parenting bloggers: Katie Allen of Little Miss Kate, Tenille Lafontaine of Feisty, Frugal and Fabulous, Meri Temudo of lil sugar and… Moi!
There are 3 ways to enter:
1. Create a video response to the YouTube commercial by clicking on the ‘Comments’ section and selecting “Create a Video Response”.
2. Submit a photo through the Staples Canada Facebook contest app.
3. Submit a written story through the Staples Canada Facebook contest app.
The contest closes on September 9th, and then we’ll be going through the responses to select the lucky winners – it could be you! Good luck everyone!
Thanks for sharing this, will have to enter!
You’re welcome Judy – good luck!
when my youngest started school the first week she was in the office twice lol. A grade one child convinced her to hide when recess was over.
Oh, LOL! That is too precious. Poor little one!
That must have been such a gut-wrenching moment for you. But hopefully it will be much easier on Reid’s first day since he will have his big brother to accompany him.
Oh, I have no doubt Reid will be fine – he’ll probably be the one taking care of big brother, LOL!
I remember my sons first day of kindergarten – most of the parents hung out in the hallway with me until the class was over! :o
Hahaha I have no doubt! A lot of the parents hung around that first day…
Awww that story melts my heart — Does he remember it? Probably not, eh…
Probably not… we went to his school’s open house last week, and he seemed really eager to start again, so I’m happy for that.
I remembered my oldest daughter’s first of school. I was reading these books on how the she might cry and hang to my skirt reluctant to start the first day. We walked down to the school talking on the way about how awesome school will be and the friends she will make and that she is now a big girl and shouldn’t cry because mommy will be there as soon as school is over. She went in the enclosed area then the bell rang and she lined up, waved goodbye and walked into the classroom with her teacher. Mommy turned away with tears in her eyes, slightly offended that my little girl didn’t even miss me enough to cry. I know, silly me.
Oh Tricha, sounds like you have a smart little girl on your hands, who trusted everything you said and made the most of her time learning! Now copy and paste what you just wrote and enter the Staples contest – it’s darling!
Sad to say I can’t remember my first day of school (way too long ago), my daughter’s first day of school was a breeze though because she was always such an independent girl. It probably helped that I was a single mom at the time and she was used to being in daycare with other children ;)
Yes, I definitely think that daycare helps them to transition much more easily. If you have a moment, please do enter the contest! Good luck!
I will never forget my first day even though it was 45 years ago.I didn’t want to go to school I cry so hard but it did not make a difference mom said I had to go. So as we were driving up to the school I saw a big rock in this field right beside the school,so I got off the bus and ran right for the rock and hid behind it.I was hoping they wouldn’t miss be.But about twenty minutes later I heard the teachers hollowing for me but I didn’t answer hoping they would just leave but five minutes later I hear my mom hollowing.I didn’t come out right away but than I hear her voice starting to get really upset so I came out .She was mad at me but she let me know she love me and even though she did punish me she was glad nothing bad happen to me.After that I went to school with out causing any problems but I still didn’t want to be there :)
Debbie, you totally have to share that story with Staples! Thank you so much for the heartwarming tale!
My eldest son couldn’t wait to start school and was up early, jumped into his clothes and was raring to go. I could not get the day off or go to work late so he was walked to school with the daycare children. He thrived on school from day one and loved to go. On my youngest sons first day, I walked him to school and he clung to me like he was drowning. There were tears, and some shrieks and calls for “MOMMY” as I was leaving and I cried off and on for most of the day. Let’s just say that the first year was really difficult for him, me and the teacher lol.
LOL I think every child is different! Thankfully I think SK will be better for us this year… fingers crossed!
On your first day of school
i wonder what you’re doing now,
and if everyone is treating you kind.
i hope there is a special person,
a nice friend that you can find.
I wonder if the teacher knows,
Just how special you are to me.
And if the brightness of your heart
Is something she can see.
I wonder if you are thinking about me,
And if you need a hug.
I already miss the sound of your voice
And how you give my leg a tug
I wonder if you could possibly understand
How hard it is for me to let you grow
On this day know that my heart breaks
For this is the first step in letting you go
Such a lovely poem, Sara! Brings a tear to my eye.