After last year, when it took my son about two-thirds of the year to feel at ease in kindergarten, we were understandably a bit gun-shy about the first day of first grade.
Correction: *I* was gun-shy.
*He* seemed okay with it. And even a little excited to see his friends.
But I knew it would be a big change, and my mama-heart was still holding onto the security and pace of summer.
But the day before school started, we pulled out our back-to-school traditions like you would an old, familiar blanket. And we created new ones too.
We called it Back-to-School Eve and treated it like a real holiday. We made pancakes in the shape of their grade for dinner, and we laid their new outfits out on their bedroom floor, just like I did when I was a kid.
And you know what?
Even I caught the excitement, the newness in the air that comes with the back-to-school season. We were joyful, and it really felt like going back to school was something to be celebrated.
It taught me one more reason traditions are so valuable.
Yes, they bind us as families; they solidify identity. But sometimes they also wake us up, dust us off.
Traditions are a familiar voice, saying, “You’ve done this before. You can do this again.”
I see years of numeric pancakes in our future. 🙂
I love this. Traditions don’t have to be, well, traditional. They change and they grow with YOUR family and friends, and that makes them so much better 🙂
Well said, lady! Thanks!
Really cute idea! We will have to do that this coming year . It’s funny it’s always harder on the parent.
Agreed! Thanks, Keri!
This sounds fun! I hope your Back to school has been a smooth transition.
Thanks, Missy! It’s definitely been a transition, but I’ve been pleasantly surprised at how well it’s gone. He seems to be settling much more quickly this year – thankfully. How has your transition been ?
I love the idea of their grades in pancakes… and I am totally a nerd – I get ALL caught up in back-to-school excitement! I hope he & YOU are adjusting well!
I love the numeric pancake idea, and I know someone else who would love it, too! Thank you!
I’m glad, Leigh! Impossible to believe that Clara and Chase will be starting kindergarten next year!
I love back-to-school eve!!! That is the cutest.
Thanks, Meg! Turns out it’s one of the big perks of having school-age children!
Great to hear from you on here, btw!