Kindergarten is a big deal. It’s a pretty big milestone. Kindergarten is one of those things you look off at in the distance and think it feels so far away, until it isn’t. Until you realize Kindergarten is upon you and all the years just you and your little one are over. Now it’s time for them to take their first step into the big world beyond mama’s eyes. Kindergarten is kind of scary. It’s the first step of your child entering a world that you know absolutely nothing about. It’s the first step where they spend most of their day being taught my someone else other than you. They develop relationships that you don’t know about. They make choices that you don’t know about. It’s their first step of growing up, and your first step of letting go. See…Kindergarten is a pretty big deal.

It didn’t take long for me to realize that my child starting Kindergarten meant a lot of changes for our family. School in general meant so many changes. Having a school aged child changes the dynamics of your family a lot, and it takes some time adjusting to it. So, I wanted to give you a head start. Give you a little hint into what this new season of life would be like.

Things I learned when my child started Kindergarten:

1. There are mountains of paperwork.

Seriously. I am not exaggerating. Especially the first week of school. You will be sent home with so many papers that you are not going to have a clue of what to do with them all. Let me give you a hint, find a system fast. The quicker you can find a system for organizing all those kindergarten papers, the less likely you will lose your island beneath it all. I’m still getting a handle on organizing all the things that come home from school, but I will be sure to share what works for us with you all soon.

2. School costs a lot of money.

Field trips, lunch, classroom parties, classroom supplies, the list just keeps going. That list you get before Kindergarten starts, you know with all the supplies, that isn’t even close to everything you will need. You will have more lists sent home, parties that come up, and activities for school projects that will send you to the store…again. Not to mention all. the. fundraisers. I think the first three months of school I was sending money to school every week. I mean, it’s not a big deal. We are lucky to have free education in America, but I was NOT expecting it at all. So…put it in the budget. You’ll thank yourself later.

3. They have their own world.

This one makes me want to cry…really. They have their own world away from mom and dad now, a world you don’t know everything about. They have friends you don’t know, they’re playing things you don’t know about, they’re eating lunches that you can’t monitor. As involved as you are, this is part of their world that you don’t know all the details about. It’s like I said, it’s the beginning of their steps into the world and your steps letting go. This makes it so important to ask questions, put yourself in their world, give them room to talk about it. Your child is growing up and it’s a beautiful, and sometimes scary thing! You get to be a part of it though – and you should!

4. They learn a lot.

Seriously. I feel like when I was in Kindergarten it was about colors, shapes, letters, and numbers. Now, they are coming out reading paragraphs and writing full sentences. So don’t think you’ll just be coloring shapes every night, your child will actually be learning some pretty big things and it will require a lot of work from you. It’s definitely a routine adjustment to figure out how to manage it all, but you will figure it out.

5. Communication is key.

You’re still the parent. Your child is in school with a teacher, but you’re still the parent. Communication is so important. Developing a relationship with your child’s school teacher is so important. Don’t be afraid of being an over zealous parent. Teachers respect parents that get involved in their child’s school life. After all, it’s supposed to be a partnership. I was so worried about pestering his teacher, but she loves that I want to help him succeed. By helping my child succeed, I am helping her succeed. Communication is important and it’s really good for everyone involved.

It’s so crazy being in the season of parenting a school aged child. Little did I know how much Kindergarten would really change our lives. I mean, I had an idea, but it really has been huge. It’s been good for him, good for us, but emotional all at the same time. I can’t believe my first born is old enough to be in school!

I love his Kindergarten shirt that we were gifted from TBE Apparel. Her shirts have such a unique design in the way they are created. All of her school shirts have words within the main design that describe that grade. Not to mention she has shirts for mamas too. Actually, the mama shirt is one of my favorites in my closet. You can also find perfect teacher gifts…and more! It has been the perfect shirt to represent this milestone for Jase and I think it’s going to be a tradition.