Allison in Motherland: Growing Pains

Another school year has come and gone, and perhaps more than any other time (except for maybe September), parents realize their children are growing up. My oldest child, Elise, has just finished her second and final year of preschool. And I am finally beginning to realize that kids actually do grow and become separate entities from their parents. You may be thinking, “It’s about time you figured that one out, Lady!” and you’d be right, my daughter will be 5 years old next month. Yet I find myself, like a lot of mothers I know, just trying to make it through each day. I lose sight of the big picture and then it takes something like attending an end of the year preschool Flag Ceremony to send me over the edge.

To commemorate the final day of preschool, the teachers at my daughter’s school planned a very nice Flag Ceremony. The class sang songs, recited the pledge of allegiance, etc., etc. I had been a little unstable in the last few weeks in anticipation of the last day of school, but on this morning I managed to keep my emotions in check. That is, until the teacher opened her mouth. I just lost it. They had me at the Pledge of Allegiance. I bawled throughout the entire program, I tried every trick in the book to keep myself from crumbling to the floor in anguish, I looked up to the ceiling, I took deep breaths, nothing worked. I couldn’t hide it any longer when my daughter gave her teacher a hug goodbye.

As we made our way to the door, which seemed like miles I might add, parents and children alike looked at me like I was growing another head right before their eyes. The poor kids were afraid and confused as to why this crazy woman was crying at such a happy time, which only made matters worse for me. Elise said her goodbyes skipping away while I tried to make any utterance that would sound like a “thank you." I ended up getting my much needed hug from the teacher. With my head down and sunglasses on, we got to our van and drove away. I couldn’t get out of there fast enough. I have since managed to regain my composure at the mere thought of kindergarten starting in just two and a half months. And I take great comfort in the fact that my oldest won’t be leaving home for another 13 years!


About the Author: Allison Braswell lives in Mankato Minnesota with her husband Ben and four children: Elise, Jack, Tommy, and Sam. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in English from Minnesota State University and has been an at-home mom since the birth of her second child. In her free time she enjoys reading, spending time with her family, and long walks (alone) around the neighborhood, since there are no beaches in Mankato.