Prek/2nd Grade

We are well into 2016 as it is already mid-January. Here are a few things I have learned with a prekinder and 2nd grader.

Prek:
-Do not ever forget show - n- tell day. If you do you will live with that regret well into 2016.
-Do not forget library day,  if the little one cannot check out a book it will be the end of her world and you will reap the consequences when you get home.
-Surprise them by coming to eat lunch with them. They are at this magical age where they are so proud of you and want to show you to their friends. Soak it up. It won't last.
-Painted nails are important in Prek after all you can make AB AABB ABB patterns with them, and that puts you at the top of the popularity pyramid.
-Pack a small treat or a loving note in their lunch box. They will come home talking about how excited they were to receive it.
-Class parties are important, be on time, show up, and show your child you care. They will thank you later.
-Keep in touch with their teachers, even though it is "just prek." You will be so excited to hear all the wonderful, and funny stories they have about your child.
-If they don't like the lunch you packed that day they will not eat it and will come home whiny and "starving."
-Listen to the stories they tell, sometimes they get details wrong and it makes for a hilarious journal post.
-Bundle them up in the winter recess is an important part of Prekinders day and you definitely don't want a sick/cold child the following day.
-Make sure to get hugs/kisses in the car before drop off because they will see friends and be long gone in a heart beat and leave you hanging (unintentionally of course!)
-Most of all soak up every bit of this age, it goes so quickly, and before you know it they will be into second semester and you will be seeing the words KINDERGARTEN far too often for your liking. They are still impressionable and still learning through play and their surroundings. Keep them close.

2nd Grade:
-Parties are still cool and you're attendance is expected. If you miss ONE party the attitude to ensue will definitely not be worth missing that 30 mins of sheer hell.
-2nd graders grow...fast...those once sweet little faces you adorned upon in Kindergarten have now transformed into missing teeth, "cool" hair, and facial expressions you thought only preteens knew.
-Not packing some type of dessert with lunch will land you in the "non cool kid" category. HOLY CRAP MOM JUST PACK THE KID A FRIGGIN FRUIT ROLL UP!!!
-Recess is important, if you pick them up before their 20 minutes is up you will never hear the end of it.
-Asking your daughter to finish her math homework is asking for a fight. The eye rolling, the comments of how "you don't know anything!" Are sure to make for an unpleasant evening.
-Keeping in touch with the teachers is a must at this age. Grades actually matter in 2nd grade.
-Try to hold it together when calling out words for them to spell. Many groans, eye rolling, flipping around, and guessing will prompt you to want to rip every hair out of your head...at least the white ones anyway.
-Walking them to class is still fun for them so when you have the extra 8 mins to spare walk them in and look around as they show you what they have been doing in school. These little glimpses into a world you aren't apart of are very important in keeping a close bond.
-Remember they are still little, fragile humans with feelings that are HUGE they need you to listen to them vent, and they need your hugs and kisses still. They are not sure of all these new feelings or how to navigate their world and you are their safe zone. So no matter how much they back talk/roll their eyes/comment on how you don't know anything they are just letting off steam from having to behave all day. You are their number one constant and school is starting to be a heavy load. Just remember they are still that sweet, little baby that you held and kissed all over they are just a bigger version with much more expression than screaming. Enjoy it! Before you know it they will be in 3rd grade!