Tag Archives: kindergarten

Car Seat Safety

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A comment was made to Gwennie by one of the teachers at her school yesterday, whilst she was getting into the car at car pool line.
It really got me thinking and inspired me to write.

Teacher: “Do you have a baby at home? Or are you the baby?”
Gwennie: “No? Why do you ask that?”
Teacher: “Because you have a baby seat instead of a big girl seat.”

Gwennie is 5 years old. She weighs 39lbs. In my car she travels in a forward-facing convertible car-seat with a 5-point harness.
She has a booster seat in my husband’s car.

The reason I haven’t put her in a booster seat in my car is because she still fits perfectly into the car-seat…. she can strap herself in easily, which is very useful during busy car pool when I can’t leap out to help her, plus, despite the fact she is already 5 years old, she is not yet 40Lbs which is the recommended weight (along with the age of 4 years) to move up to a booster seat.

Honestly, I think the 5-point harness is much a safer dealio. Gwennie is very petite and I am not entirely comfortable with her being in a booster seat yet. Also, her convertible car-seat is made to hold her up until she weighs 70lbs. I notice that in some States they require that a child stay in a forward-facing car-seat between the ages of 4-7 years.

I wish I was a little quicker with my wit and tongue. I was rather taken aback when this faculty member made fun of G being in a “baby seat” still. In fact, she made me feel a bit of an idiot and rather inferior, until I had time to think about why I choose to keep G in a car-seat. Let’s face it, she mostly rides with me and we drive 25 miles each way to school every day in rush-hour traffic. Personally, I think she looks and feels a lot more comfortable in her car-seat… plus it is a heck of a lot safer.

Fortunately for me, Gwennie was unperturbed by the comments made. I would have been cross if she had suddenly decided that she didn’t want to be in her seat anymore because of some thoughtless remarks!

What do you think??? Am I being a helicopter mum?

Don’t call my name, Alejandro!

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Gwennie’s first week at Kindergarten seems to be going well. She has re-bonded with a little friend she made at her other preschool. G and Lilly are not in the same class at Kindy, but they see each other most days on the playground. I think it’s pretty sweet that they have resumed their friendship despite having not seen each other for a year!

G came home yesterday and said, “Mummy… you know that Lady Gaga song, Alejandro?”
Me: “Yes!”
G: “There’s an Alejandro in my class!” Cue cheeky smile.
Me: “Yes, I remember!”
G: “Well, I’m going to ask him to marry me tomorrow. Will you help me write him a letter to ask him?”
Me: “Don’t you think you should wait a week or so to see if he really is a nice person and the man you want to spend the rest of your life with?”
G: “Nope. I want him.”

Wow.

I managed to get out of writing the letter… for now! But we did have to sing the song over and over in the car on the way home!

After school today…..

G: “I asked Alejandro to marry me.”
Me: “And? What did he say?”
G: “Nothing! He just stood there! So rude!” (Poor little guy was rendered speechless!!!!)
Me: “Aha! So maybe he isn’t the right guy for you then?”
G: “Nah! He’s still cute. I still want to marry him!”

Yikes!

He is pretty cute though!

First day at school…

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Today began a new and big chapter in Gwennie’s life. She started Kindergarten.
I was quite sure that I wouldn’t get upset as she has been in preschool since the age of two and a half.
But I was wrong!

I think G could sense I was feeling a bit emotional first thing this morning as she kept holding my hand and giving me big random hugs.
So cute!

Ready for school!

I had to fight the tears back all the way to school (I didn’t want to upset her as she was so excited!).
She hopped out of the car as I blubbed, “I love you! Have a good day!” and she didn’t even look back.
Cue me driving off with tears streaming down my face!

I couldn’t wait to pick her up again.
Her teacher came up to me and said that she had had a wonderful day and that she was such a happy little girl.
That made me feel better!

G was full of beans and managed to tell me all about her day before crashing out in the car!

Sooooooo tired!

Mission accomplished!

She also started back at ballet yesterday. She has gone up to the next level and was very proud to wear her new uniform… a black leotard!!!
So grown up!

Tiny dancer!

Our little girl is growing up!


On the Other Side of the Door
I can be a different me,
As smart and as brave and as funny or strong
As a person could want to be.
There’s nothing too hard for me to do,
There’s no place I can’t explore
Because everything can happen
On the other side of the door.

On the other side of the door
I don’t have to go alone.
If you come, too, we can sail tall ships
And fly where the wind has flown.
And wherever we go, it is almost sure
We’ll find what we’re looking for
Because everything can happen
On the other side of the door.

-Jeff Moss

A letter to teacher…

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I was inspired by a friend yesterday who told me that her Pediatrician had recommended she write a letter to her child’s upcoming Kindergarten teacher.
What a great idea! I hadn’t even thought to do that myself, so I jumped right on the bandwagon.

Dear Miss H,

Firstly, may I begin by saying how excited Gwennie, my husband, and myself are for her to be starting Kindergarten at LH. This is a very new and thrilling adventure for all of us.

We have several friends who have/had children at LHPS. Every single one of them sings great praises of the school and how their years there have been a solid and positive foundation for their children.

We don’t know each other yet but we are going to share something precious in common- both of us are going to make an incredible difference in the life of Gwennie in the upcoming year. I know that you will have a classroom full of beautiful children just like mine, and I know that there will be days that will feel less “beautiful” than others! On these days I wish you patience and grace!

Gwennie is a sweet girl with a caring heart and soul. She is very sensitive and has a tendency to take things very personally. She is very affectionate, is fiercely loyal to those she loves, and is a real helper. She has a great sense of humour and loves to entertain.

But like every child, I know she will have her moments in class. I want to thank you in advance for shaping my daughter and preparing her for the unknown and uncertain future that is ripe with possibility. I do have a few selfish requests though and I do hope they are not hard to fulfill. If Gwennie misbehaves or becomes troublesome, I need to know. I don’t want to be the “helicopter parent”, but I will always want to be involved and help make your life easier. I am only a phone call away. Also, if she is struggling with any of her work in class, please let me know so that we can work together to help her.

I would like to be involved in as many opportunities as I can for parental involvement. I will sign up for the holiday goodies, I will chaperone field trips when I can, and I will help you as much as possible for as long as my daughter is in your class. Never hesitate to reach out to me!

So, here’s to a wonderful year in Kindergarten! We are very much looking forward to all it has to bring!

Yours sincerely,

Sarah P