The other night, I went to a parent meeting for children who will be entering Kindergarten next school year (I know! Crazy!). As I sat there listening to the things my four year old needs to know in six months when he starts Kindergarten, I couldn’t help but feel really good. The fact is, Kaitlyn, my two year old, knows all of that stuff right now. Brayden is way beyond that.
It was really nice to be sitting in that meeting feeling fully confident rather than feeling panic-stricken. It got me reflecting on Brayden’s life to this point. I thought about all I have done with him. All the training I have done, all the activities we have done, all the moral lessons we have discussed…
And I had a great thought.
I have no regrets.
Things are going really well. Is Brayden perfect? No. He is human just like the rest of us. He makes mistakes. He has plenty to improve on.
But he is doing so well. I am so happy with the little man he is turning into.
I just wanted to share this realization with you all. We often question ourselves as parents. I think it is common to be concerned that we might “ruin our children.” Just continue on your path.
Establishing sleep patterns and eating patterns can be hard. It is worth it.
Reaching the point of happily playing independently is hard for some children. It is worth it.
Spending time with your children can be taxing day after day. It is worth it.
Reading stories each day (especially the same story for lots and lots of days) adds lots of time to the bedtime routine. It is worth it.
Taking time for learning activities each day requires effort on your part. It is worth it.
Training your child morally is a bit more than many parents will do with children the same age. It is worth it.
It is all worth it! Stick with it! You, too, can look back in a few years with no regrets. What a wonderful feeling to have!
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do you mind sharing with us what some of these requirements are?
I hope I can feel the same way in a few years. As it is I usually feel Olive is doing very well behaviorally around her peers, but I know she is still young. I'm always scared that I'm not intelligent enough to implement all the things I will need to implement to help her be prepared in life.
This post deserves a resounding AMEN! I got a bit teary eyed reading it.When I look at what routine and structure have helped accomplish in our family, I also have no regrets.
I agree with Val. What are some of the school requirements?
This is just great to read, Valerie.
Glad to hear you and Brayden are ready. With the exception of behavior, eating, sleeping, morals, our household experienced the opposite with my son since he has been in school. We are not the educational type parents (my hubby and I have always been self starters since we could remember..never had parents that sat with us for educational purposes) and while my son is one of the sweetest boys on Earth, he just isn't the shapest tool in the shed :-). He is in 2nd grade and we are constantly working with him just to pass. And we both work outise the home too. All this to say…keep up the good work!!!
I'm curious too as to some of the requirements:) My MIL ordered Any Baby Can Read by herself and it's quite an overwhelming box of videos, books and flashcards. We have started some learning activities. My younger (19 months) is around some and I suspect she'll pick things up earlier…she is already talking so much more than DD1 did at this age.
I will definitely share the requirements. I will put them in their own post.
Natalie, I know I don't know you extremely well, but I would have no doubts over your intelligence. You will be just fine! 🙂