In a couple of short weeks, we’ll be closing the chapter on one of the most fun, most challenging chapters of Ayva’s life. She’ll be finishing up preschool and heading to kindergarten in the fall. Is this outrageous or what? I’m just getting used to being the mother of a preschooler and now, grade school?

Hold.Me.

No, seriously. I need Jesus to hold me because…I’m not ready. I guess in hindsight, I wasn’t ready for preschool, either. I’m really surprised at how much Ayva and her friends have grown over the last 2 years. Some of the things that they’ve dealt with like girlfriend arguments, and talking about boys and marriage, I had no idea all of that stuff started so early. Now, with kindergarten coming up, I’m nervous about the other interesting topics Ayva’s going to learn about. Another parent that I know told me that her 1st grade son has THREE girlfriends and that they all bought him special gifts for Valentine’s Day. FIRST GRADE? Are you SERIOUS?

Y’all, really, I could let this whole kindergarten thing stress me out all summer long. Everything from when do I drop her off at school to what to pack her for lunch, and that boyfriend thing… Those things could completely take ever single one of my thoughts until the first day of school. I’m vowing, right here, and right now, not to let that happen, though.

What I need to be spending my energy on is figuring out how to squeeze as much quality time as possible in with Ayva this summer before school starts, and making sure she is ready and has the right tools to adapt and excel. I have to pray, a lot, for patience with Ayva as she makes this transition, and strength to manage this change to our lives gracefully. Most of all, I need to relish in these next couple of months, because I know that grade school is one step closer to independence, and one step farther away from Ayva needing me as much as she does now.