Monday 5 January 2009

Serious Mommy Issues

Bramwell, my 3 year old, starts school on Wednesday. You read that right, school. Not day care, but school. When we assessed our family situation in regards to overseas ministry we never thought that we'd have to even think about school until possibly a second term (you sign up in 3 year increments).

So it was a "mad dash", well, not exactly mad dash...anyways, we spent the first couple of months trying to sort out the school situation for Bramwell. We looked into local "escuelas de infancia", basically "baby schools". They're not quite school, but they do actual lessons, etc. We thought it would be the best option in order for the boys to learn operating Spanish so they could join school. Nearly everyone I approached told me Bram was too old for their program, and they couldn't take him.

So, we tried local schools. There is a private school taught by the local Spanish Baptist church, but they have a 3-5 year waiting list. (The "Missionary Card" didn't even help bump us up...) I then opted to look into local public school, but everything is taught in the local language of Valenciano. A language I don't understand at all. So if there were to be a problem at school?? He needed help with his homework?? I couldn't even get pamphlets about their programs in Spanish (even though it's the law!)...back to square one.

So then we heard about a private Spanish school system in the next town over. They are a British run school that teaches a Spanish cirriculuum. Bram will begin there on Wednesday! He'll be taught in both Spanish and English, with Valenciano language classes in the upper grades. He goes for a full day, wears an absolutely adorable uniform (there's a tie and everything), and rides a coach bus. I'm still nervous about the bus...I can tell that the teachers at the school hear the same nervous questions from every mother, they're answers are very rehearsed...

And now, it's down to the wire, the last day and a half that I have Bramwell the majority of the day. Honestly, it's liberating in a sense, but at the same time heart wrenching. My baby boy isn't a baby anymore. He's entering the world of school....away from me....with new friends I may never know............I'm scared.......

3 comments:

Kelly said...

Oh my - reminds me of when mine started preschool. Some moms cry, some don't. Some kids do, some don't. But we all get through it!

So hang in there!

Growin' With It said...

you know what? it is that way EVERY year for me. summers come and i get all anxious at the days left and the thought of my boys going back to school. and even now, today i'm anxious because they go back after winter break. for me it is a big hurdle to get over and then we fit into our groove and all is well. i'm sure it is all a part of the goodbyes we do along this journey of being a mommy and raising these boys to be men...men of God!!!

can you visit him at this school? like for lunch? that helps!

Heather of the EO said...

I felt the same way when Miles started preschool. Excited and sad at the same time. It's so crazy all the things we feel at once as a mom. I hope it goes smoothly !

Peace to you,
Heather