Times a Changing

So it’s finally here.  Jacob’s last week as a pre-schooler.  Next week his whole life changes, FOREVER.  He begins his journey down the path of education.  Who knows where it will lead.  Further education?  Possibly.  A degree?  Perhaps.  A job?  Most probably, well let’s hope so.

Now please believe me when I say I am SUPER excited for Jacob as he embarks on this new chapter of his life.  He will make new friends, form new relationships, gain knowledge, learn social skills, become more independent, develop life skills, and discover a whole new personality within himself.  He will spend the next however many years learning at school and changing from a boy to a young adult.  Who couldn’t be super excited about that?  But I’m a parent and that means attached to this excitement is a huge sadness.  My baby is growing up.  My first born baby is growing up.

Jacob's First Day Home from Hospital

I’ve spent 5 years at home with Jacob, something I see as a privilege.  I’ve been there to pick him up and dust him down when he has fallen.  I have wiped tears from his eyes when he has cried.  I have wiped his nose when he has had a cold.   I have cleaned up his vomit when he has been sick.  I have yelled at him when he has been naughty.  We have argued with each other, cried with each other, played with each other, cooked together, crafted together, taught each other, learned from each other and most importantly we have laughed together.  Of course it makes me sad that it’s all coming to an end.

Now of course we will still do all these things together before and after school, on weekends and during school holidays.  It may well be even better because time together is something I will probably value even more.  But I think if most parents were honest with themselves, we just don’t want our children to grow up as fast as they do.  Maybe because it means we too are getting older.

So Jacob, next week you become a “cool kid” (for years Jacob called the school kids at Kindy cool kids) and I have only two last pieces of advice for you.  Enjoy and make the most of EVERY day.  ALWAYS remember to wash your hands after using the toilet.  But I give you something that is more valuable than any piece of advice I have to offer and that is my full support every step of the way, wherever the journey takes you.

And one last thing Jacob, let’s have LOTS and LOTS of fun during your last week as a pre-schooler.