Today was my oldest daughter’s last day of 5th grade. This means it was the last day she’ll walk on the campus as a student, and the last time she and her sister will EVER be in school together. It hits differently, this last day of school. It’s an end of an era for her.
Of course, I’m excited about her moving on to the next adventure that is middle school. But, let’s not get too ahead of ourselves on that one. It’s pretty scary, maybe more for me than her.
She’s going to do great in middle school, no doubt. She’s smart and ambitious. I just have to worry about the THINGS that happen in middle school. In elementary, I feel I have been able to block a lot of the negatives in the world. Middle school feels like it has no boundaries. It’s uncharted territory for us all!
I feel her innocence fading away. This is also the first summer where she won’t be going to our regular summer camp. She is staying home … alone, but with a soccer camp mixed in here and there. She’s growing up and it’s hard. It’s hard for us as parents and for the kids.
I have been looking back on old photos and videos on my phone of her recently trying to remember her baby laugh and silly dance moves. I listen to her little voice that is no longer the tone coming from her mouth. These days the sassy tone is STRONG (Lord, help me).
This summer is a big transitional summer. I know this is the summer a lot of important conversations will be had and need to be had. This may be the summer we deal with our first heartbreak (I’m not ready for those tears).
She will begin next school year low man on the totem pole after being on top. I remember that reality check. Next year she’ll experience kids that are GROWN and awkward. I’m sure there will be mean girls. We’ve dealt with them before, but this will be a whole new level. The drama that comes with middle school, ugh, I don’t want it!
This summer, as we say goodbye to elementary and hello to middle school, I hope she feels confident the first day of school walking those halls. I hope she remembers who she is and doesn’t let anyone tell her differently. I will cherish this summer probably more than I have in the past. Simply, for the reason that my baby is no longer a baby. That’s a hard pill to swallow.
So, if any of you have any tips on how to soften the blow of the elementary to middle school transition, I would love to hear them! This momma is having a hard time with the whole growing up situation.
