Parenting Australia

Off To Kindy!

We have been at home together for almost four years, my daughter and I. The moment she arrived I became ‘Mummy’ and I’ve been trying to live up to the title every day since! As we have grown together I secretly suspect she has taught me as much as I’ve taught her. It wouldn’t be truthful to say I have cherished every moment, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world. We’ve been through reflux together, tantrums together and now on into the “Why?” phase together.

But next week, everything will change. For the first time my baby girl is going to spread her wings, just a little, and flitter off to... Kindy! (In QLD kindy is for 3 ½ - 4 ½ year olds in their pre-school year.) She will be going to our local C&K centre five days a fortnight and she couldn’t be more excited.

Catherine Oehlman

A few other mums have asked me whether I’m worried about her starting kindy as she has never been in childcare. Will she be clingy? Will she be antisocial? Will she lose it when it’s time for me to go? The truth is that I’m not worried about those things. We’ve spent four years together and I know her pretty well. I’m a little worried about her being one of the youngest in her class. I’ll even admit to being worried about her inheriting the bossy gene (as many teachers’ kids do). But I’m not worried about her adjusting to life away from Mummy. She is as prepared for kindy as any kid can be.

When we went to Open Day, her eyes lit up like halogens. The puzzles, the dolls, the dressups, the collage table... and oh, the playground! She introduced herself to other kids and played with new friends, and we practically had to drag her away from the place. A couple of weeks later we returned for her interview. She chatted with her teacher and chose a special locker for her things. (I had an opportunity to chat one on one with the teacher too, and it was reassuring to share my concerns and ask questions up front.) We gave our daughter a special backpack and lunchbox for Christmas, and her favourite aunty lovingly sewed her rainbow kindy sheets.

Today a letter arrived in the mail, addressed to her, from her kindy teachers. It was printed on pink and purple unicorn paper and told her all about what to bring on the first day, as well as reminding her where to put her things. The letter is in pride of place on the fridge with the teachers’ faces smiling at us as we walk past. My daughter knows their names and chit-chats about kindy often. Oh boy is she ready. She’s counting the sleeps!

No big change is ever smooth sailing, and I’m sure there will be hiccups as we all adjust to new routines, new rules and new ways of doing things. I’m confident though that I’ve done what I can to prepare her to take this first step away from me. I might be a teensy bit sad as I drive away the first time with only one child in the back seat, but I know she will have wonderful adventures at kindy. I’m so looking forward to sharing afternoon tea and asking, “How was your day...?”

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Catherine Oehlman is a SAHM currently being raised by a terrific toddler and a curious crawler. Her background in primary education, love of the mothering journey and compulsion for writing collide on her SquiggleMum blog. Cath encourages other parents from all walks of life to maximise the time they spend with their children.

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