Prep (A Bittersweet Symphony)

Her school dress is hanging on the door and we are on the eve of a day I thought would actually take a lot longer to get here – Millie’s first day of school.

This summer we crammed in All. Of. The. Fun. Things. I was determined to provide her with every happy experience possible in her last summer as a pre-schooler.

I used to push Millie around in the pram and walk past local schools and see the mums taking their HUGE school kids to class. I smugly thought that stage of my life was a long way off. How wrong I was! It’s gone by in a blink and I’m now that mum and that sleeping bundle of joy now a joyous, inquisitive, funny and thoughtful preppie. How can it be??

I’ve become a lot more emotional since becoming a mum so there’s absolutely no doubt I’ll cry tomorrow. It’s a momentous day.

This new prep has been my sidekick for 5.5 years. My first baby, I resigned from my job as a newspaper editor to make this girl my number one. I’ve been there for every tear, every new discovery, there to answer every question, squeeze and hold her hand when she worries and gently encourage when she’s nervous. I’m her mum and I love her more than anything else on this earth. My girl.

But I have to pass the baton.

When I cry it won’t be in front of her.

She has gone to bed tonight singing: “School tomorrow! School tomorrow! I’m going to school tomorrow! Yay!”. It’s hard to remain sad about something she’s just so damn enthusiastic about.

As mums, everything we do is for our children. It’s hard to let go. It’s harder still to let them walk into class and not be privy to everything they are hearing or doing. We’ve got to have faith in our schools and the staff that they too have our child’s best interests at heart. I’m certain they do and will wave her goodbye tomorrow with every confidence.

What I can feel good about is that I’ve done everything I can to prepare her for this day. She is ready. I probably should have spent more time working on making sure I was too!

I can’t wait for her to come home and share news of the new things she’s been taught, the tasks she once thought impossible that she can complete with ease. My daughter is right at the start of a wondrous new adventure that awaits her.

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go…”

Your teacher and classmates are so lucky to get to see you every day Millie Moo. I hope you are always this happy about going to school, always willing to learn new things, that you always ask questions, stand up for what you believe in and that you do it all with a smile on your face.

I’ll hold tight the memories of 5.5 glorious years – the best years of my life – with you under my wing.

Can’t wait to see the wonder you become.