Today I’m sharing a journal entry I wrote many years ago as a young mom who’s first kiddo was headed off to Kindergarten.

That child is now a freshman in high school. Oh. My. Goodness. And next fall, my youngest will be the final one to go into Kinder. It was fun for me to read something from long ago, that now, as a self-proclaimed mom veteran, I can laugh at myself a bit.

But hopefully, if you’re in a similar season of being a momma who has recently sent her baby off to school (maybe for the first time), you’ll find some of this advice helpful. Or at least a bit comical. Or maybe both. 😉

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First-Time Kinder Mom

Hard to believe I’m now eight short weeks from my due date with baby number three – more to come on that soon – I promise! And hard to believe this is my first post of the new year – my how time flies.

The thing that still baffles me though is that my oldest kiddo is now beginning the second half of his kinder year. That shocks me still to this day that I’m a mom of a kindergartner. Sometimes when I drop him off at school in the mornings, I think he’s such a big kid. Other days, I see the big fourth and fifth graders next to him and think he’s still my baby boy – so little and so innocent.

I feel I’ve learned a lot in his first critical semester of school – from practical things to how to pack his lunches, to how to deal with him being called a really terrible name by a kid in his class, a name that no little boy (or girl) should ever be called…yes, already, in kindergarten.

There may be many of you moms who are veterans at this whole school business (I realize there is so much more to come!) but I also feel it’s important that I share what I’ve learned from these past few precious months. Months that I will never get back and that I will always cherish.

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1. Make their lunches ahead of time, when possible.

This might sound simple and somewhat obvious – but it’s harder to do than it sounds. However, on the days when I have it more “together” and I spend a few minutes putting together his lunch, it helps that I’m not rushing around like a chicken with my head cut off in the morning. And, as I’m sure you know, any time saver for the morning is worth it!

2. Let them buy their lunch at school, whenever possible.

If you actually read the menus, the food is pretty good – and inexpensive. So if it saves you the headache and the kid likes to buy their lunch, let ’em! Pretty sure we had one week in particular where mine bought lunch every single day and it was just a weight off my shoulders that was completely worth it.

3. Begin the year with open communication with their teacher.

View them as a partner with this whole journey. Voice your concerns with their teachers. It makes bringing issues up later in the school year so much easier because they can become aware of things as they get to know your child. After all, they spend as many, if not more, hours in the day with your child than you. (Not to say they know your child better, but you get what I mean.)

4. Try to get involved in school activities.

Within the first semester, my son had orientation, teacher conferences, a fundraiser, a fun run event, Thanksgiving luncheon, holiday programs, and multiple other events. So within reason, the hubby and I were able to divide and conquer many of these events knowing they were important to our son and important for us to become familiar with the school, faculty and other parents. I mean after all, we’re going to have another five years of this (not to mention the two younger siblings that will eventually go through the same things!)

5. Read any and all communication from the school and principal.

Even one slip of paper sent home in a folder can contain vital information about health screenings, the next class party or some craft project that is due next week. So find a system that works for you to keep track of important notices and deadlines. I use an organizer on the side of my fridge where I can put deadlines on the calendar, display the lunch menu, and post info about special projects and schedules.

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My sister was down visiting over the holiday break and after staying with our family for over a week, she relented – “I don’t know how you do it, Jess!” I’ve heard this comment before from co-workers and friends, and as flattering and humbling as it is to hear it, this time my reaction was different. I just simply responded – “I don’t!”

Being a mom doesn’t mean you have to be perfect at everything all the time. (Let’s face it. You won’t.) What it means to me, is giving your kids (and your husband) your time, your energy and the best of you. Also knowing that there will be times when you have to forgive yourself and let them forgive you for not always “measuring up.”

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I hope you enjoyed this blast from the past! It’s so funny to me to look back and see what I thought back then. I’m sure you probably feel the same if you read your own past blogs, or journals.

If you’re a first-time kinder mom or a veteran momma where this is not your first rodeo – I’d love to hear from you! Comment below on what you’ve learned as a first-time Kinder mom

And if you haven’t heard the exciting news yet – I’m going to be a published author!

I’ll be part of a collaborative book that’s going to be released by hope*books publishing in January 2025.

This book will help you start off your New Year with having a gentle heart for yourself – instead of trying to take on the new season with grit and sheer determination – which is especially needed if you’re walking in a hard season.

In this collab book, I’ll be sharing a chapter with you on how you can create grace-filled goals, so when life doesn’t go the way you planned (which seems to happen more often than not), you’ll have practical tools in your proverbial toolbelt to usher in grace for yourself.

I’d love to invite you to join my book launch team to help spread the word about this beautiful book that will bring so much hope to so many.

To join the team – it’s simple! Click here and I’ll be in touch with more fun details soon!