And then she was a 1st grader...

I can't believe today has come and gone. I feel like this day has been in the back (middle?) of my mind since Madi was born. I remember saying I didn't want her to start school because there is so much involved - early mornings of actually having to get dressed, lunches to pack, homework, and early bedtimes. But as I saw her grow and challenge herself in kindergarten, I started getting excited for 1st grade. I have never been one of those sappy moms when it comes to a kid growing up. To me, and I don't mean this offensively - we all have our own opinions/mindsets, it is a happy time when a kid turns a year older or goes to the next grade in school. This is something I'm getting to experience alongside my daughter so it is definitely exciting but shockingly, it was nerve-wracking, as well. I REALLY didn't anticipate being so anxious about her first day of "real" school. Last night I was so on edge about it. I was asking Paul if he thought I'd packed enough in her lunch box and asking him if I thought she would be okay after I dropped her off. I double and triple checked two alarm clocks. I prayed that she would wake up on her own this morning. (I really did. She's SO much more pleasant when she wakes up on her own versus when I have to nudge her awake.) I made sure her name was written on everything in her book bag. I made her an adorable binder cover. (She made me take it out when she saw it this morning.)

Well, all that anxiety and all those nerves were just silly. In the words of Madi: "Shouldn't I be the one all stressed out? I'm the one going to school!" Yes, she is right.

Were there zero hiccups this morning? Did I breeze through the first day of school routine without a hitch? No, of course not because life isn't perfect. Did we both make it without a huge disaster? Yes, absolutely. We got to school right before the tardy bell (had some shoe issues...) and I even managed to get a smile.

I snuck this one as we were walking to her class. 

Turns out - she loved first grade. LOVED it. She couldn't stop telling me things. She wanted to keep her cool...that's just how Madi is. But she kept calling me into the room she was in and telling me more things about her day. "Ms. B is 22. And her favorite food is mac & cheese!" "We had 11 minutes to eat lunch. ELEVEN." and "I saw Courtney!" and "Carmen and I were SO close to getting the Hershey kisses." Also, "Math was soooo easy."

These are the moments that make me smile. And the moments that help me remember what God promises - that we don't need to worry or be anxious. It is a wasted emotion.

I'm so happy I was given this lesson in this way -- my girl is happy and that makes me happy.

after school...

bribed with chocolate milk...

and later I realized we were out of chocolate syrup. #momfail

Challenge #2: She's riding the bus tomorrow morning. First time ever. I have no idea how she talked me into this... #cueanxiety #ididntlearnathing

What my child taught me.

4 1/2 years old

I have been blessed as far as childcare is concerned. Madison's grandmother has kept her ever since she was 8 months old. As part of this, though - she nor I - have experienced much of the normal social interactions between kids. What I'm trying to say is that Madi hasn't had as much social exposure as, say, a child in daycare. She is starting Pre-K in August, so I'm sure her social skills will improve and I'm excited about that. However, a BIG part of me is very nervous and scared for her.

Madi spends a lot of time with her cousins and does go to playgrounds so she has dealt with the occasional rudeness from other kids. My fear is that I will not have the right words to say to her or the right reaction to help her cope with these "bullies." When do you need to intervene and let the teacher know what's going on? When do you need to let the children handle it? When do you need to tell her to be tough or give her a hug? This stuff is tough.

Last night Madi was telling me about how one of her cousins hurt her feelings. (They are best friends so they act like brother and sister. It's very typical of both of them.) I asked her what we could do to help him be a bit nicer. She said "I could tell him about Jesus." Wow. You know, my first reaction was to call his mom and fuss about him being mean to my child. My child's first reaction was to show him LOVE by telling him about Jesus who loves him and "will help him be nicer." I learned a lot from Madi last night. She also said when people know Jesus they are nice. If every person who loves Jesus was consistently a nice person, this world would be a wonderful place. And if every person who loved Jesus aimed to teach their enemies (harsh for this example, but I'm trying to make a point) about Jesus, this world would be even more amazing.

So, I guess my question here is this - how do I help Madi deal with "bullies" once she gets to school, but also what have you learned from your children lately?

Children truly have innocent minds and with that come some lessons we could all benefit from. :)

Happy Wednesday.