Kinder-Pardon (Part 2): Prep Mode

  

My baby girl starts Kindergarten in just under 2 weeks, and this mama is (still) freaking out. The Kindergarten orientation experience was overwhelming enough for me, but with the approach of this milestone so close, I'm doing my best to come to terms with this momentous occasion. Here are the steps I've taken so far to ease myself into this big transition:

Step 1: Update lunch boxes and food containers. A task that I thought would be fun, quickly became the bane of my existence. I have loathed the dreaded l-word for some time now, and fishing through a sea of multi-sized tupperware on a nightly basis has been enough to put me over the edge. My solution? To find a bento box style lunch container that could hold all of the items in one unit. After hunting around Google for quite some time, I came across these gems and quickly placed my order:



Go Green Lunch Box Image Source

I was so excited that I had finally found the perfect lunch box solution, and eagerly awaited its arrival. When I opened the package, I was pleased with the product, and my kids seemed to love it as well. I packed their lunches with a smile on my face, proud of myself for accomplishing this first step. Little did I know, not everyone loved it as much as I did.

My husband's first comment was that it was much too large (side note: too large for my little ones who are 2 and 5, I don't think the size would be an issue for an older elementary school student).  

The daycare teachers politely rejected the lunch boxes as well (not to my face of course, but through my husband). The size of the boxes were again an issue because they took up so much space on the daycare lunch tables. I had included homemade pasta in their lunches that day, resulting in the teachers having to scoop out the pasta, place it in a bowl to heat up, and then re-place back into the box for consumption. They also mentioned that they like to have the snacks and treats in separate containers so they can offer them to the children at their discretion. Fair enough, but in my mind, all small potatoes.

Begrudgingly, I set out that night to find a new solution, leaving my lovely lunch boxes tucked away - their fate still to be determined. 5 stores later, and I now have (yet another) matching set of tupperware containers that will be used moving forward.

Step 2: Establish a new pick up/ drop off schedule. This task wasn't quite as much of a challenge, but I'm dreading the day when this new schedule will be implemented. Right now, I'm lucky enough to have both of my children placed at the same daycare, which is less than 5 minutes from our home, and right on my way to the office.

Beginning in September, I will need to drop off my 5 year old at a before/after school care location (in the completely opposite direction), and then my 2 year old at daycare. Longer morning routine, cue the sarcastic enthusiasm.

Step 3: Step up the bonding time. The rapid approach of Kindergarten is a solid reminder that my baby is no longer that. She is a big girl, and will only continue to grow and mature. And while I refuse to accept that she will one day be a teenager, drive, date, procreate (GASP!), I will welcome this milestone with open arms. In the meantime, I feel as though a few bonding activities are a must. First, I am planning a back-to-school shopping day, just us girls. She needs a new outfit, doesn't she? Second, I'm going to take her for some mommy/daughter mani/pedis, because she has always wanted to do this, and this is something that us big girls enjoy! Third, I've signed us up for a mommy & me cooking class at Hungry Oven. Because there's nothing more bonding than creating and sharing a meal together, right?

What are some ways in which you've prepared for this big milestone? I'd love some advice from the expert mamas out there!