budding independence

Today, Brandon started preschool. I didn’t cry so much as when he was a baby and we dropped him off at daycare, but I did tear up. I mean, I’m still me.

Last month my female family stayed with us: first my mom, then my sister. Seeing my child through someone else’s eyes made me realize he is still a baby in so many ways. But at preschool, he will learn to share and to obey someone other than mom. He will make friends and his independence will bud. He will enunciate his letters and boss kids around and be bossed around. He will shed his babyness.

Holden took it the hardest. Driving out of the parking lot today he shouted, “forgot Brandon!” to me. I explained that Brandon goes to school now and Holden cried. That is, until we got home and he got to swing without anyone grabbing on him and play playdoh without a fight. His tears are dried and he is happy and hopefully it is the same for Brandon at preschool, away from me, becoming who he is.