What I Learned In Kindergarten

1. Not Everyone Will Want To Be Your Friend.

I thought I was getting 19 new friends at the beginning of the school year.  I was friendly, learned everyone's names and which kid they belonged with.  After a few months, people that clicked....gravitated to each other and others didn't. Also, not every child will want to be your kids friend for the same reasons.  It's okay!  Be advised that if you report to the teacher that your kid is being written on with a dry erase marker and picked on in class that the child's mother will stop talking to you and liking anything you have to say on Facebook.

2. Some People Will Be Your Friend For The Wrong Reason.

Not to sound like an episode of The Bachelor, but if someone is feeding you information about your teacher that is negative and keeps calling you under the guise of being friends.  They have an agenda.  I didn't realize this until it was too late.

3. Standing Up for What You Believe is Right...Is Always a Good Idea.

Even if it means some people (see #2) won't like you or talk to you anymore.  Don't be afraid to speak up if someone is being wronged.  Your opinion is so very important and the administration appreciates it.

4. PTA is Awesome!

If you are a parent that likes to be in the middle of the action and you have any skills, join PTA!  Being a part of a group that has good intentions is a wonderful feeling. Side note: Have your husband join too...you never know when you'll need to vote on something important.

5. Volunteering in the Classroom is Fun!

I was nervous at first and fretted over my outfits because I wanted the teacher to like me but it was all fine.  Watching your kid interact with his friends in class and soaking up information like a sponge is a joy to behold.  Also, teachers LOVE volunteers.  Unless of course, you just want to sit in the back of the room taking notes.  This is strongly discouraged!

6. Having Cocktails with Fellow Kinder Moms is Therapy.

Get together with each other.  At the park with the kids, at PTA, at a bar after the kids are in bed.  You are all in this together and when it's over you'll be as tight as people that have been in a war or jail together.

7.  The Teacher Doesn't Want to be Your BFF.

This was a tough one for me.  But....she's busy with 20 or more children and she has friends of her own and a family and doesn't have time for a new BFF.  It's okay.

8. Field Day is The Best Day of The Year!

At the continuation ceremony for both half day classes.....many of the kids said that Field Day was their favorite part of Kindergarten.  It made me soooo happy because I was the coordinator!  I'm so thrilled that I contributed to their school year and they were happy.

9.  Kindergarten is Expensive.

I tracked our expenses on a spreadsheet and we spent $700.  Between school supplies, yearbooks, school pictures, field trips, teacher gifts, scholastic book orders, PTA dues and the Science fair....it all adds up!

10.  Sometimes You Need A Do Over.

Kindergarten is not what it used to be.  There are no naps or snacks and your kid will work HARD! The problem is that they are still starting kids at 5 years old but the curriculum has advanced.  If your child was not fully ready, this is the perfect time to start again.  It's a proven fact that 6 year old (boys) do better in Kindergarten.  We decided we'd rather re-start the school process so that Alex could fully master all he needs to know to continue on, rather than struggle for the rest of his school career.  It was a hard choice to make, and we're sad that he won't be with his friends but it was the right thing to do for him.