Miss Independent

Saying goodbye on the first day of preschool

Two weeks ago my daughter Tallulah started preschool.  As we dropped her off at preschool, I remembered when she was a little baby and I was looking up preschools in the area and I remember thinking that preschool was so far away and then all of a sudden it was here.

My husband and I have worked really hard to raise Tallulah to be a confident, independent, kind and loving girl.  I think every parent hopes that when the day comes to take them to their first day of school, that your child waves goodbye and pushes you out the door because they are ready to be on their own.

For me, that is just what happened.  Tallulah told me to go and to pick her up after lunch. She jumped right into making friends and said "See ya later".  I was so proud of her and the girl that she had become, even though I think it was harder for me to say goodbye then her.

This week, when I dropped off Tallulah at school, I noticed many other mothers seem to be staying with their children at preschool and I found myself feeling guilty and thinking about if I should be staying as well.  Tallulah did not need me or even want me there, she was too busy to need me around.  After school, I talked to Tallulah's teacher about my feelings and she assured me that if Tallulah does not need me then that is great and not to worry about it.

She was right.  It is so easy in these new parent settings like school to start comparing yourself as a parent to other parents and what they are doing.  Some parents stay at preschool because they may not be ready to let go or some parents stay at preschool because their children may need a little more transition time and some parents stay just for the fun of it.  No matter what decision we make as a parent in these big life transitions for our child, it is important to remember that each decision is the right one, as long as it feels right in your heart.

Here is to a wonderful school year!