If you are the momma of a quiet little guy who you are afraid will be nervous to get on the bus for the first day of Kindergarten, here is a bit of advice.
Print a bunch of your favorite family photos.
Laminate them.
Punch holes in the corner.
Put them on a key ring.
Attach them to the built-in key strap in your son’s backpack.
Then tell him that once he is on the bus, he can look in his backpack for the first time to see what fun pictures were included…
Next, you will watch him get on the bus – all excited. And as you stand there in complete shock, you will see him wave from his seat… and then open his backpack to see the photos inside.
And then, in that moment, you will feel like a really good momma.
Who would have guessed it was that easy?
Answered prayers.
(Oh, and he still LOVES the bus and school. Yay! And the Luigi patch? I have etsy.com to thank for that one.)
Be sure to check out Simon Says Stamp’s STAMPtember.
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See you soon.
24 Comments
Great idea Jennifer. I love that you always give wonderful ideas regarding our children.
What a sweet idea with the pictures! It could come in handy if they do an introduction in their class too like my son did in his class. Great idea!! You are such a considerate mom!
What a fantastic idea! You should be a mominee
)
I hope Colin’s first week was good. You hope and pray plus are so nervous for them to go out into this world for the first time and then you realize that they will be okay. Still is nerve racking though. Love the backpack and picture idea though. Your a wonderful Mom.
What a great idea! You’re a terrific momma !
Great idea.
Sometimes I’m really glad we live in a very small country where we can take our kids to school by bike or by foot. No buses here. And kids in my daughter’s class who don’t live nearby come to school by bike, takes them 1/2 hour to get there.
When we moved to Tucson in 2001 I was glad we lived near school so my then 6 year old daughter didn’t have to ride a bus to school but within a week she was saying she wanted to ride to school in a bus too, funny.
Have a great day,
Eveline.
Awww, what a neat and clever idea, Jennifer. I remember being so nervous for both my boys too and that wonderful feeling of relief after that first day and week was done. I’m so glad he still loves school. Makes it easier for Momma!
You are such a wonderful momma, my beautiful friend.
Lovely story.
Jennifer, you are THE best Mom! You know, he is a brave, great kid ’cause his name is Colin ~ just like my baby, 17!
Thanks for sharing that great story!
Susan
Great Ideas about the pics. We did pictures and other emergency stuff (i.e., one of those silver blankets that are the size of a credit card until you unfold them, knit hat, granola bar, a small stuffed animal, etc.) that stayed in the backpack in case of an emergency that made it so we couldn’t get to school to pick him up right away. Loved the Luigi patch!!! That was a total SCORE!
As a first grade teacher I have another suggestion to add to Jennifer’s terrific idea — read The Kissing Hand and put a kiss in your child’s hand to carry with him or her. I read it to my class, then have each child take the book home to read with Mom and/or Dad.
Jennifer – you are a wonderful MOM – yeah for you and yeah for Colin on doing so well on the bus/starting school.
Good job mamma! That is sweet! And a great start to his first day of school ever!
Colin must have been so cute getting on that bus! I think the hardest day of school is the first day – not for the kids, but for the moms! I loved your backpack idea. I don’t think that mom feeling ever stops for any of the “firsts”. My daughter graduated from college last spring and moved halfway across the country to start a job in July. I loaded up her new apartment with family photos – the grown up version of Colin’s backpack – LOL. Congrats to Colin and thanks for all your beautiful projects and inspiration.
I’m a grandmother, but your story brought tears to me remembering my children and grandchildren’s first day. I put my granddaughter on the bus then quickly drove to school and was standing there when she arrived at school. She loved it! That was so fun.
Oh Jennifer, you put tears in my eyes. You are the sweetest kindest, most thoughtful mommy in all of the world. I adore you and want to be like you. The boys are growing up so quickly, thank you for the wonderful advice!
BIG MOMMA HUGS!
Heidi
Seriously Jennifer that is one GREAT idea!!! :> Did you get my email this week btw? Can’t wait to see you on Friday at Scrapfest!!!
so super sweet and an awesome idea to comfort your boy! so glad to hear that he is likes school, too! thanks for sharing. hope you have a lovely week!
LOVE this idea. What a sweet thing to do. I’ll be that it would work for little ones too who go to daycare. Such a sweet idea. Thanks for the inspiration.
What a sweet idea to ease the fear of taking the “big” bus. You are a great mom
That is an excellent idea!
Awww…that is a super cute idea, love it! And, I love even more that backpack…gotta find a Super Mario one for x-mas. My boy would love it!
This is also a great idea for the Grandmas too. That way they have the grand kids attached to their purse at all times too:)