I sometimes wonder how it would feel to actually send a child away all day long for kindergarten (or any grade for that matter). I always assumed I wouldn't like it very much. I now have confirmation that I was exactly right about that.
A few weeks ago, Joy and Kid 118 spent all week at a junior master naturalist day camp (now they're actually certified through the DNR and everything... pretty cool...) and Yoyo was supposed to go, too. But, they ran out of room, so she and one of her buddies got bumped to the next week's camp which was a 'survival and fishing' camp.
The first morning, I picked up our little friend and drove these 2 little girls off to their big adventure. They proudly marched in to the nature center where I signed them in. There were lots of kids with backpacks settling in, but my little be-boppers were by far the youngest.
I signed them in, walked them to the circle of chairs and said goodbye. Then I stood off to the side and watched for a little while. I waved again. Yoyo took it like a champ and waved back, blew me a kiss. I stood there a bit longer. Her little friend began to look confused as to why I was still hanging around. I decided I better come up with a reason, so I suggested we go to the bathroom real quick. They dutifully did so, and went back to the circle of chairs. There were still a few stragglers checking in, so I waited... again... in the corner of the room. Finally, there was only one parent left: me. So, I said several prayers to our guardian angels and walked away. It was tough, but I resisted the urge to stop back later and check in.
They did fine and had a great, and exhausting, week. It was a fun experience but I sure am glad I don't have to do that all the time.
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