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A Letter to Our Son on His First Day of Kindergarten

A Letter to Our Son on His First Day of Kindergarten | Taste As You Go

Photo: Erica Carryl | Vine & Branch Photography

Well, hello.

It's been a while, hasn't it? So long, in fact, that I bet some of you have been wondering whether I'd ever share new content again.

Back in May, I announced that I'd be pausing my weekly menu plan posts. I needed to take a step back and reevaluate many areas of my life... to find a better balance.

That pause turned into a much longer hiatus, and I only managed to write two new posts all summer. I shared our Summer Bucket List in June and then the open letter I wrote to our son when he turned five in July.

If I did spend any time here, it was mostly behind the scenes. I've updated a good number of old posts, including popular recipes like this one... and I'll continue to chip away at my blogging to-do list until I've made all the updates.

As I do that, I'm ready to start creating new content again... starting with this post... the post I've been thinking about all summer.

Our son starts kindergarten today, and the transition to this next stage has been super hard for me. I've been coming to terms with many things I've kept buried inside for a long time... including guilt over putting him in daycare five years ago so I could return to work full-time. I spiraled a bit as I started obsessing over what could have been if I had been able to stay at home with the kids instead.

While I may not have had as much one-on-one time with our son as I would've liked, I like to think I made the most of what we did have.

To help move beyond my insecurities and stay focused on what an important milestone this is... I wanted to recognize the day with an open letter to our sweet boy, the last of my open letters to the kids:

Dear JJ,

You once asked me what kind of superpower I'd want if I were a superhero. While you made some solid guesses, you never did figure out my answer. (By the way... eating without ever feeling full was my favorite of all your guesses.)

If I had a superpower, I'd make time stand still. This way, I'd have more time with you at this age, and we'd have more time to make memories together, just you and me.

But, if I made time stand still, that wouldn't be fair to you. Because you've been ready for this next stage for a long time... and making time stand still would mean making you wait to discover all the wonders that await you in school.

As you head off to kindergarten and a brand new school, I realize that you're nervous. But you are going to have an amazing year making new friends and learning all sorts of new things. Plus, you can finally get your hands on all the books in the school library! 

I know it'll be tempting to map out a path that matches the one your sister started paving two years ago. As you grow more comfortable in your kindergarten world... I hope you carve out pockets of memories that are solely yours. 

Because it's okay to be different.

Daddy and I can't wait to see how you'll feed your endless curiosity. Whichever path you choose, we'll be cheering for you every step of the way.

Remember to use your manners. Show others the kindness in your heart that you've been sharing with us all these years. And believe in yourself... because YOU CAN.

I love you. Every day. All day.

Love,
Mommy

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Three years ago: 20 Refreshing Iced Teas
Ten years ago: On the Side: Milestones
Twelve years ago: Sweet and Spicy Bacon

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