My little 7 year old broke my heart this morning. We’re all at the start of getting colds (oh what fun!), so I know he wasn’t feeling 100% as we walked to school. He was quiet, which really isn’t the norm. As we got up to the front of the school building, he didn’t really say goodbye or “I’ll see you later.”. I shrugged it off since we were right in the middle of a crowd of students getting off a school bus. As he walked up towards the steps, I flipped the stroller around to head back home.
I always wait, right there on the sidewalk, to make sure he goes in. He’s strong enough to open the doors, but there’s always that little part of me that wonders. So I wait. I encouraged Gavin to say bye, and we watched as big brother climbed the steps.
At the top I noticed my sweet boy was crying. The crowd of students rushing in was now a blur. My baby, , two weeks in to the school year. I called out for him, and motioned for him to come over.
As I did, a girl older then him (between 2nd and 5th grade, 5th is the highest grade at this girl) put her hand on his shoulder as he walked down the stairs towards me. My heart.
They walked over to and I knelt down to be at his level to see what was wrong. He wrapped his arms around me and continued to cry.
I was able to calm him down just enough so that you could tell me would miss me. I hugged him, not wanting to let go. Part of me wanted to scoop him up, all 7 years old and 40some pounds, and carry my baby home.
I don’t know what was wrong. Was it him not feeling well? Did he not want to go to school because he truly would miss me?
That girl, she was still there too. She told him that she would walk him to class, but they had to hurry so they weren’t late. I gave him one more hug, told him to take a big, big breath, and that I would see him later. It’s Wednesday, it’s therapy day, I’ll be there at 1:50 to pick him up.
I watched him walk in with this girl, who opened the door for him. I don’t know her name, or her grade, or why she even stopped to help and risk being late. Thank you.
As we walked down the sidewalk, I called the office. I told the receptionist what had happened, and that I wanted to make sure he got to his class okay. She said she would go check on him, and if there was a problem she would call. That was two hours ago, and I haven’t received a call.
He broke my heart this morning. He’s been telling me he likes school… but now I wonder if something is going on. I know it’s a long day, 8:40 to 3:15, I remember how long it can seem. What can I do? I’m going to email his teacher and see if she might know.
I’m hoping that it’s just him not feeling well. I don’t want to imagine the cause being anything else but.
Aw, I hope he’s doing OK. My son is 7 too, and I think the pressure of school just wears him out sometimes. It seems like they expect a lot more of elementary kids these days than I remember. And what a wonderful little girl! Her parents would be proud of her I’m sure!
I’d put my money on being sick. There’s nothing like being with your mom when you don’t feel good. Still it never hurts to touch base with the teacher. Did he act like something wasn’t right when he came home yesterday?
Oh, you made me tear up! I sent off my little L, who’s not yet 6, to his first day of first grade today, and I would have lost it if he would have cried. It must have been so hard for you. I would feel the same, wondering.
He’ll make it through the day and once you have him back, you’ll feel better just having him back. It’s hard to have them in the school so far away, so unreachable. Hang in there, mama! You can address what was the cause and hopefully he’ll feel much better tomorrow. And you will as well. Good thing you waited and saw him cry.
My 9 year old boy is like this especially emotional if getting sick, but also he’s just tender and saying “good bye” just makes him sad. Something about missing the person..I guess it’s that age of understanding people leaving. I don’t know.
I think its hard on kids to go back to school..its such an adjustment. Just keep aware and keep the line of communication open for him.
trisha
Oh mama, I’m so sorry. It’s so hard to see them walk away and when they’re upset, it’s even worse. Thank goodness for that sweet girl who helped him – what a little angel! Hope he’s doing better when you pick him up (((hugs)))
Poor boy and poor mama! :( Hugs!
OH! {HUG} I am sure it’s just the adjustment of going to school – it’s long and hard – my guy is in 3rd grade and he still has rough days. I hope it’s just that he isn’t feeling well and nothing more.
I hope you all feel better soon!!
That just did it. My little girl is going to be homeschooled lol. How sad. I was right there with you girl. Hope whatever it is passes poor thing. Missin his Mama.
Oh, how sad!! That makes me tear up, too. School is a big adjustment for kids in any grade. And if he isn’t feeling well that makes things even harder. My 6th grade students still come to hug me in the morning because they miss their moms. What a sweet girl who comforted him.
aw….big hugs to all
That made me sad! I am really interested in knowing how he was when you picked him up from school. I hope he’s okay. :(
I hope everything worked out at school. Good on you for being proactive about finding out what was wrong. I’m happy to hear about the compassionate older student. Sometimes those stories get overshadowed by the less-than-kind students.
Aw ((hugs)) I hope nothing is going on and it’s just that he would miss you. Oj has had that happen a couple times over the last couple years. It always breaks my heart too cause like you I want to just scoop him up (even if he’s almost tall than me at 7 lol) and run back home to spend the day together. ((hugs))
[...] you to everyone for the comments on my last post, He Broke My Heart! I e-mailed his teacher to let her know about his crying and to ask if anything was going on that I [...]