“Today it was officially announced that the traditional academic school year is over. Students will not return to classrooms. Schools are closed indefinitely. Our son will not walk back into his kindergarten class. I know this is the right thing, but I also know this is hard.”
‘I keep staring at our First Day of School pictures with tears of sorrow and emptiness. I know this is the right thing, but I also know it hurts.’: Mom says ‘our hearts and world are different’
‘In one swift moment, I will be forced to let go. I will loosen the white-knuckle grip on my son’s childhood, and let him go.’
“Today, after an emotional tantrum, my 5-year-old son curled up in my lap and buried his head in the crook of my neck. I felt his pain and sadness laying over me in a blanket of emotions, and I found myself crying too.”
‘You stand outside school with her, holding her hand just as tightly as she holds yours. What if someone is mean to her? What if she doesn’t make any friends?’
“Her backpack is filled with glue sticks, crayons and Kleenex. Maybe the teachers ask for Kleenex so you can sneak a few on your way out the door. She won’t let go of your hand, as if she’s silently asking you to guide her through this first leap.”
