First Day of School

Today was the first day of the new school year with the kids. I definitely felt differently about the start to this school year. Last night I did not get the jitters as I normally do and today while I was experiencing the 'first day of school' I felt as though I was experiencing it through a new perspective - the perspective of a mother.

All I could think about today was Cambria. As I watched all of the parents bring their babies into their first day of Kindergarten I kept having these visions of taking Cami to her first day of Kindergarten. I felt more of a connection with the parents and the love they have for their children. Don't get me wrong, I have ALWAYS thought cute little Kindergarteners coming into the building for their first day of school is adorable but this year I think I felt more of what the parents were feeling.

I got teary eyed when I saw one Mom and Dad walk their child in and take multiple photos of their son standing in the hallway with his backpack on while giving a thumbs up. Then as their son walked away from them down the hallway with confidence, while periodically turning around to wave to them with a big smile on his face, the Mom and Dad stood and embraced in the hallway while watching their baby reach another milestone (and a big one at that!) in his childhood. Ahhh - it just gets to me. I could just feel the love that those parents were feeling along with the overwhelming sense of accomplishment to have gotten their 'baby' this far through their hard work, dedication and love.

As I continued my day I continuously found myself looking at all of the children I came in contact with through the eyes of a Mom rather than a Teacher. At the end of the day as I was driving home I was reflecting upon my experiences of today's 'first day' versus the other 'first days' I have experienced. I came to the conclusion that becoming a Mother is probably the best thing I could have done for not only my personal life but also my professional life. I know that these motherly instincts, thoughts and feelings will make me a much more effective teacher. To put it simply; there is nothing better than being able to look at each and every child in my school through the perspective of a Mother. Thank you Cambria, thank you for giving me the opportunity to to not only be your Mother but to now be able to look at all children with the love and passion that a Mother can only feel and understand.