It happened. The day we have been preparing for the last few years, and talking with much excitement about the last few months. The reason I took 86 pictures this morning to be exact. Our first born son went to Kindergarten today. He was ready, yet nervous. I was ready too, so I thought.

Together we picked out his clothes the night before. After much discussion we compromised on wearing a new polo shirt and khaki shorts for his first day. The plan was to wear his “comfy” clothes the following day as he knew he would spend several hours outside at recess. I did not have the heart to tell him there was much more to school than recess the night before his first day so I just let it be. We read the book “The Night Before Kindergarten” just as I had planned several weeks ago. Then as I tucked him into bed and said I loved him, the tears began. As excited as he was about this new school he suddenly realized he would not get to stay home with me and his little brother again. He knew all about school, but finally realized it was a five day a week gig. He has been in two day a week daycare and preschool much of his 5 years of life, so really where was this all coming from?

My heart started breaking right then and there. I thought I was ready for him to start school. I knew I was ready because he was so ready and so excited. I told myself I was not going to be sad or even cry. I was excited for him and the new beginnings ahead. I kept thinking to myself over and over after hearing his words, where have the last 5 years gone? He was so very right. When will we have the days to ourselves again? Gone are the sleepy days from being up all night with him as newborn. Gone are the years of reading him the same book over and over as a toddler. Gone are the years of morning walks in his pajamas before preschool. Gone are the “home days” as we called them. Just him, his little brother, and me all day with nothing on the calendar.

I assured him there will be more days than just Saturday and Sunday to be spent with his Mom, and little brother just at home. Even though I was so sad for this realization as well. I reminded him there were holidays and breaks from school, even snow days most likely. His thinking soon changed and the tears stopped. He was ready again to start school. And that was that.

The following morning routine went off just as I had planned. My sweet boy even held my hand as we walked up the hill to his school. He stood so tall and proud in front of the school sign for more pictures. My husband and I followed his lead to his locker and then to his classroom. He was full of smiles. He even said, “Can you give me a hug and kiss?” before we left. Of course, buddy!

When I returned home from school drop off I remembered again his thoughts from the night before. The house was quiet, little brother was happily playing independently with his brother’s toys (finally allowed to), and I cried. Gone are the “home days,” just us three. He was right. I soon remembered this is just one stage of life, and each stage is full of new beginnings, excitement, and goodbyes. And I smiled again thinking about how much fun he must be having at school that very moment.

So God Made a Mother book by Leslie Means

If you liked this, you'll love our book, SO GOD MADE A MOTHER available now!

Order Now

Check out our new Keepsake Companion Journal that pairs with our So God Made a Mother book!

Order Now
So God Made a Mother's Story Keepsake Journal

Alison Simonsen

Alison is a girly girl learning to live life as a "boymom" and a wife to a great guy who gets her crazy. Her boys ages 5 and 2 keep her on her toes and stepping on Lego pieces. Lover of organization, Diet Pepsi, Huskers, and Target. Currently learning to relax and take in everyday as a gift.

This Time In the Passenger Seat is Precious

In: Kids, Motherhood, Teen
Teen driver with parent in passenger seat

When you’re parenting preteens and teens, it sometimes feels like you are an unpaid Uber driver. It can be a thankless job. During busy seasons, I spend 80 percent of my evenings driving, parking, dropping off, picking up, sitting in traffic, running errands, waiting in drive-thru lines. I say things like buckle your seat belt, turn that music down a little bit, take your trash inside, stop yelling—we are in the car, keep your hands to yourself, don’t make me turn this car around, get your feet off the back of the seat, this car is not a trash can,...

Keep Reading

So God Made My Daughter a Wrestler

In: Kids, Motherhood
Young female wrestler wearing mouth guard and wrestling singlet

God made my girl a wrestler. Gosh, those are words I would never have thought I would say or be so insanely proud to share with you. But I am. I know with 100 percent certainty and overwhelming pride that God made my girl a wrestler. But it’s been a journey. Probably one that started in the spring of 2010 when I was pregnant with my first baby and having the 20-week anatomy ultrasound. I remember hearing the word “girl” and squealing. I was over the moon excited—all I could think about were hair bows and cute outfits. And so...

Keep Reading

A Big Family Can Mean Big Feelings

In: Faith, Kids, Motherhood
Family with many kids holding hands on beach

I’m a mother of six. Some are biological, and some are adopted. I homeschool most of them. I’m a “trauma momma” with my own mental health struggles. My husband and I together are raising children who have their own mental illnesses and special needs. Not all of them, but many of them. I battle thoughts of anxiety and OCD daily. I exercise, eat decently, take meds and supplements, yet I still have to go to battle. The new year has started slow and steady. Our younger kids who are going to public school are doing great in their classes and...

Keep Reading

You May Be a Big Brother, but You’ll Always Be My Baby

In: Kids, Motherhood
Mother with young son, color photo

It seems like yesterday we were bringing you home from the hospital. Back then, we were new parents, clueless but full of love—a love that words can hardly explain. I can vividly recall holding you in my arms, rocking you in the cutest nursery, and singing sweet lullabies, just like yesterday. I can picture those times when you were teeny-tiny, doing tummy time, and how proud I was of you for lifting your head. And oh, the happiness on your face when “Baby Shark” played over and over—that song always made you smile! We made sure to capture your growth...

Keep Reading

“It Looks and Tastes Like Candy.” Mom Shares Warning about THC Gummies All Parents Need to Hear

In: Kids, Living, Teen
Hand holding bottle of THC gummies

What Aimee Larsen first thought was a stomach bug turned out to be something much more terrifying for her young son. Her 9-year-old woke up one day last week seeming “lethargic, barely able to stand or speak,” his mom shared in a Facebook post. At first, she assumed he had a virus, but something about his behavior just didn’t seem right. She called an ambulance and asked her older sons if their brother might have gotten into something, like cough syrup or another over-the-counter medicine. Their answer? “Yeah, THC gummies.” THC gummies are an edible form of cannabis that contain...

Keep Reading

Dear Daughter as You Grow into Yourself

In: Kids, Motherhood, Tween
Girl in hat and dress-up clothes, color photo

My daughter, I watched you stand in front of the mirror, turning your body left and right. Your skirt was too big and your top on backward. Your bright blue eyeshadow reached your eyebrows and bold red blush went up to your ears. You didn’t care. I watched you marvel at your body, feeling completely at ease in your skin. You turned and admired yourself with pride. You don’t see imperfections. You don’t see things you are lacking. You see goodness. You see strength. RELATED: Daughter, When You Look in the Mirror, This is What I Hope You See I’m...

Keep Reading

My Child with Special Needs Made His Own Way in His Own Time

In: Kids, Motherhood
Mother holding child's hand walking across street

I want to tell you the story of a little boy who came to live with me when he was three years old. Some of you may find this story familiar in your own life. Your little boy or girl may have grown inside you and shares your DNA or maybe they came into your life much older than three. This little boy, this special child, my precious gift has special needs. Just five short years ago, he was a bit mean and angry, he said few understandable words, and there was a lot about this world he didn’t understand. Unless...

Keep Reading

Organized Sports Aren’t Everything

In: Kids, Motherhood
Young girl with Alpaca, color photo

Today I watched my little girl walk an alpaca. His name is Captain. Captain is her favorite. He’s my favorite too. I met his owner on Instagram of all places. She thought I was in college; I thought she was a middle-aged woman. Turns out, she is in high school, and I am a middle-aged woman. This random meeting led to a blessing. We call it “llama lessons.” We take llama lessons every other week. It’s an hour away on the cutest hobby farm. Our “teacher” is Flora, who boards her llamas at the alpaca farm. She wants to teach...

Keep Reading

I Had to Learn to Say “I’m Sorry” to My Kids

In: Kids, Motherhood, Teen, Tween
Mom hugs tween daughter

My two oldest kiddos are at the front end of their teen years. I remember that time in my own life. I was loud, somewhat dramatic, I let my hormones control me, and I never—ever—apologized. This last part was because no one ever really taught me the value of apology or relationship repair. Now, I could do some parent blaming here but let’s be real, if you were a kid whose formative years were scattered between the late ’80s and early ’90s, did you get apologies from your parents? If so, count that blessing! Most parents were still living with...

Keep Reading

5 Things Your Child’s Kindergarten Teacher Wants You To Know

In: Kids, Motherhood
Child raising hand in kindergarten class

I am a teacher. I have committed my life to teaching children. Of course, before I began this career, I had visions of standing in front of a group of eager-eyed children and elaborating on history, science, and math lessons. I couldn’t wait to see the “lightbulb” moments when students finally understood a reading passage or wrote their first paper. And then I had my first day. Children are not cut out of a textbook (shocking, I know) but as a young 23-year-old, it knocked me right off my feet. I was thrown into the lion’s den, better known as...

Keep Reading