So here
we are.
Both of
the kids have hit their milestones, moving from ankle biters into full on
window lickers. It's an unofficial graduation into life as the rest of us know
it; the official graduation is Wednesday when our son says good bye to all of
his preschool playmates and hello to his last summer break before real school
begins.
Our
daughter also has her last summer before school starts but for her it's into
the land of preschool, into what was
for my son. Short days, short weeks, and even shorter kids, where snacks
and hugs still reign supreme.
I like
that place.
Our kids
have and will attend a small community preschool attached to a church. It has good vibes. It feels like a safe place even though the
gate into the play area has seen better days and swings open when the wind
blows. It has been a place of great experience for my son, soon to be for my
daughter, and was/is/will be for my wife. (Honorable mentions here as my wife
and her brother went there when they were children!)
It's a
small piece of America that has in many ways restored some of my faith in human
beings. The people there are genuine and kind hearted, the families are
involved, and the cost is nothing compared to the gain my family has
experienced. And in life there is no substitute for experience.
Especially good ones.
My wife
and children have had a wonderful time growing together. Being the full time
worker bee to the queen and her hive, my experience has been slightly
disconnected, yet satisfying. They have had each other full time from the
beginning in part because of me. I say this with all humility as I know in
reality it's equal parts luck, grace, and skill on my end.
Our roles
are clearly defined; we are mostly modeled after a 50's family without even
meaning to be. My wife's domain is the house and kids; my domain is the
outside world and the kids. She does most of the cooking, as well as the
stable work and I take care of the finances, cars, yard, etc.
Don't get
the wrong impression here either...
My lady
has a Masters Degree and her teaching credential. She is an accomplished woman
who made a conscious choice to put her career aside and raise our babies
(Gladiator, I salute you) and it's right for our family and seems to work well.
We have a
dog, a cat, enough room for a large garden, and 4 chickens. We ride
dirtbikes and grill on the weekends.
It's the
American dream come to life.
Aside
from Mr. Slate yelling, “Flintstone!” and always threatening to fire somebody,
it's a damn good life.
Have you
bought in yet? Can you smell the flowers in the garden and the steak on the
grill? It's sizzling and delicious and medium rare, usually topped with crispy
onion straws, sautéed mushrooms and melted blue cheese. Mmmmm...
Good
beginnings and a true story, but it doesn't end here. It begins here.
Like my wife, McKenzie, said the mood around education and starting kindergarten has changed.
The once upon a time is over and the storm on the horizon is heading our
way. The 800 lb gorilla wants to wrestle and I'll be damned if I can't find a
way around it. Homeschooling isn't an
option yet, no way can we afford private school, and the Montessori schools are
all full. The missus still has far more faith in the government and
humans than I do though. If it were up to me, we would move deep into the
mountains, grow beards, and live like Hobbits.
Instead
it's almost time to wrestle the growing incompetence and ever tightening
budgets of the public school systems in California, Common Core in the country,
and the growing trend to give everyone a participation trophy.
What’s
your experience been like as your children face kindergarten? How is your child’s
other parent involved in supporting your child’s educational careers, or if you’re
a single parent, how do you handle it all?
Read ALL of our kindergarten posts by clicking through the image:
And, read ALL of our relationship posts by clicking through this image:
Or, get some new ideas and tips on how to talk to your children about difficult stuff:
