FAMILY blog
B ack to school means many different things
The following year, my daughter was accepted early into
to parents and students alike. For some, it is
kindergarten instead of attending another year of pre-
an understandable relief. When kids aren’t
school. We both walked solemnly to her school as if we
at camp or on a vacation, parents are sick
were in a funeral possession. As we got closer, my mind
and tired of them moping around all day, watching TV
started racing and I broke out in a cold sweat. I wondered
or staring at their phone or computer. The words “I’m
to myself, “What are you doing? This means you’ll have
bored” start to sound like nails on a chalkboard.

her one less year before she has to go to college.” I con-
vinced myself she wasn’t emotionally ready. (She was.) I
Like these parents, some kids actually look forward to the
could feel her impossibly little hand shaking in mine, and
beginning of the new school year. They are excited to see
knew she wasn’t feeling any better. She was trying to be a
their friends again and are ready for greater challenges,
brave little soldier and hold back her tears.

skill sets and opportunities.

I got down on my knees and looked into her miniature,
Other kids would prefer to have a root canal or two. In
rosy face and asked her if she was ready to start school.

the first week of August, the sunken realization of the
She said a quick “no,” and without thinking, I said “me
inevitable begins and intensifies as the days march for-
either!” And we skipped with glee all the way back home
ward. Growing up, I fit squarely into this category. I never
to watch Elmo.

knew, however, how agonizing back to school truly could
be until my daughter was going to start full-time
The next year she went to school without a hitch, prob-
kindergarten. ably because I was a regular presence at her preschool.

First, I should mention I got busted when she started pre-
help in their classrooms on a regular basis. Fast forward
school. The teachers kindly said it was best if all parents
left. Many of the precious, tiny students, mine included,
were hanging onto their parents’ legs with 3-year-old vise
grips. All of the parents eventually left, except for me. I
thought it was blatantly obvious they should understand
my daughter and I were a special exception, and I should
be allowed to stay. No dice. They swiftly shooed me
away. Her teachers were kind and patient enough to allow me to
a few years. I am proud and excited for my daughter to
begin her second year of high school. In spite of my dif-
ficulty letting go, she has turned into a mature, capable,
independent young lady.

Even so, every back-to-school season still brings back
bittersweet memories. And would I climb atop boxes to
spy on her one more time? Maybe I shouldn’t answer that!
It was raining and I saw a small window in the back of the
school. There were several large cardboard boxes ready
for the trash stacked under it. I climbed up the boxes in
high heels and a business suit. (The thought of going to
work had briefly crossed my mind.) I could spy her, hoo-
ray! Then, suddenly the boxes collapsed and I fell with
Cynthia Kelly
a loud scream. The director quickly came out to find me
Account Executive
soaking wet with my skirt up over my head, completely
Washington FAMILY Magazine
discombobulated and embarrassed.

6 August 2016 washingtonFAMILY.com
ckelly@theFAMILYmagazine.com