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I still can’t believe my last baby is starting kindergarten today.
This morning when we dropped him off for his first (half) day of kindergarten, for the first time in our journey as parents, it didn’t feel like heartbreak. It felt like excitement.
He was excited. Rocking his Kindergarten Vibes t-shirt. Proud of his new backpack he picked out, his little lunchbox to match, and the fact that he gets to go to the same “big kid school” as his big brother (who’s now in third grade). No tears. No clinging. No hesitant goodbye. Just a confident little boy walking through those school doors like he’s been doing it his whole life.
Preschool Was a Different Story
But of course, I remember when it wasn’t that way.
When he started preschool, it was hard. For him, and for me. He had been home with me for nearly three years, most of that time wrapped in the uncertainty and isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic and a military move. We were each other’s world. He was my coffee buddy. So letting go, even for a few hours a day, was emotional. I cried more than I’d like to admit. And he did too. He was shy, reserved, barely spoke, rarely smiled, and didn’t engage with other kids at first. Watching him struggle to open up was like watching a piece of my heart outside of my body.
A New Daycare, A New Beginning
Eventually, we made the decision to move him to a new daycare close to my work, and looking back, it was the best thing we could’ve done. It took time (and patience), but that new environment, those amazing teachers and staff, they saw him. They nurtured him. They celebrated him. And slowly, our boy came out of his shell.
I still remember the milestones from his teachers: He smiled today! He started talking more! He made friends! They cheered him on like he was their own, and I’ll forever be grateful for that year of transformation. All the little girls in class adored him, and he finally felt comfortable just being himself.
Time at Home Before the Next Chapter
When I stopped working this year (March 2025), to prep for our family’s move to Tennessee, he came back home with me. It was like a soft reset for a few months. He spent spring with me, and then with his big brother and sister once they were out of school for summer.
Today Felt Different
So today felt different in his new Kindergarten journey. It felt like the natural next step. He was ready. And because he was ready, I was ready.
Kindergarten is no longer the unknown for him, it’s just the next part of “school,” and he’s proud to be a part of it. He’s walking in confidence, joy, and a little sass that tells me he knows exactly who he is.
Letting Go Looks Different Now
And while I’ll always miss the baby version of him that clung to my leg and whispered “don’t go,” I’m so grateful I got to witness the journey from those tearful preschool drop-offs to today’s brave kindergarten send-off.
It’s one of those full-circle moments that reminds you: growth is beautiful. And so is letting go.
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FAQ: Our Youngest Starts Kindergarten
Q: Was starting kindergarten emotional for your family?
A: Surprisingly, no! The emotional journey started years ago when our son began preschool. Kindergarten felt like a natural next step, and we were all excited.
Q: How did your son adjust from preschool to kindergarten?
A: His transition was smooth! After a difficult start in preschool, a supportive daycare helped him open up. That growth made kindergarten feel like a breeze.
Q: What helped your shy child come out of his shell?
A: A change in daycare made a huge difference. The teachers and staff were so supportive and patient, and over time he began to smile, talk, and make friends.
Q: Why did the preschool transition feel harder than kindergarten?
A: Preschool was our first time apart after years at home together, including during the pandemic. The separation was tough on both of us emotionally.