Kindergarten Orientation

Bunny had her Kindergarten orientation. Her future elementary school held an orientation to give an overview of Kindergarten and to answer some questions parents may have and they gave a tour of the school. I am over all happy with the school's atmosphere. Only 1 child is going to go to Bunny's elementary school from her preschool. I wish Bunny knew more of the kids... many of our neighbors are sending their kids to Catholic School. I know, I have nothing to worry about. Bunny was the first in line while some kids were timid and scared and their parents had to join them when they took the kids to another room. I see the confidence in her that I never had that within myself. I hope in my insecurities, I can really cultivate her confidence and she'll have that even when she enters teenager-hood.

As I looked around at the parents, I just felt a little anxious. Will my child get along with their children? Will their children be nice to Bunny? I then wondered how important is it to develop relationships with other parents? I am a shy person at first and I may come off a little stand-offish but I am really a nice person, I think. I'm just not a very out going person at first. I read an article in Parent magazine about how a child may not be the cause of not being invited to playgroups but it may be the parent's. Parent's personality or unwillingness to make friends with other parents may be the reason for lack of invites.

There's always this fear that my children will become friends who may be a bad influence. I remember growing up every time I made a friend and I'd tell my mom, she'd always ask, "does she study hard?" I remember being really annoyed. As a mother, I realize the benefits of kids that have the discipline to get good grades and the attention parents give for children to do well. But it doesn't mean they won't get into trouble. I know. I don't want to be judgmental of others parenting skills because I know that I don't want to be judged. All that matters is that a parent loves their child and that was prevalent in the eyes of all the parents I saw today. That should be enough.

I remember a friend saying that her child always seemed to be attracted to troubled children, kids that act up and happen to have no self-control. She was frustrated with the bad habits her son would learn from his new troubled friend. Instead of telling her son not to play with the kid, she prayed how her son could show God's love to his friend. And she is determined to get to know the friend. So glad I have such open-minded friends that are wise.

I am going to lift up my anxious heart to God. I need to be prayerful and not think of different horrible scenarios. Why should I worry? It's a waste of time...