Monday was Courtney's first half day of middle school. She was excited and nervous at the same time. Middle school starts a lot earlier than elementary did for her. She has to be up by 6am to get ready. She had set her alarm for 5:30am and was up before Jeff. She was anxious so most likely couldn't sleep in like she usually tries to do. I walked in the living room at 6:30 and she was dressed and ready to go. I've noticed with this and other stuff that she's going to be like Jeff in that she HATES being late and is always anxious about time. She definitely doesn't take after me on that. :) I should be more like her.
Since it was the first time for her to ride the bus, I was anxious about what time she got to the corner. It's only a house away from where we live so I can see her from the front window. She was very nervous about the bus. It was nearing her pick up time and she was looking out the window and telling me it was ok because no one was down there yet. I kept explaining that she may be the only one on that corner. She kept telling me, "No...I don't wanna go down yet. There's no one down there." The conversation got frustrating as the time kept creeping about 4 minutes till her bus was supposed to pick up. My voice got louder...I was yelling basically..."GO TO THE CORNER!! YOU'RE GONNA MISS THE BUS!!" I was sure she wouldn't want me to stand there with her on the corner so I had no plans to go down there with her. She's getting to the place where things like that really embarrass her, but in hind sight, I should've walked with her to ease her nervousness. I thought I was doing a good thing by letting her be a little independent but I should've gone. She headed out the door, took a look at the corner and headed back up the stairs into the house again. I was getting so frustrated and I wasn't at all dressed to go outside with her. So the conversation began again. She headed out the door and down the driveway. I watched from the window. It's about a minute till her bus comes and she gets half way there and stops and turns back around and starts heading back to the house. At this point, I raise up the front window and I'm yelling loudly for all the neighbors to hear..."GO TO THE CORNER NOW!!!" She rolls her eyes at me like a typical tween and stomps down the hill to her bus stop and sure enough the bus rolls up just about that time. I felt bad for yelling. I should've gone with her. I shoulda coulda woulda. She was nervous. I no doubt didn't help things...I was just so sure she wouldn't want me standing by her when the bus pulled up. That would've been my thoughts at her age...but I think she's different than I was. I have to remember that. Live and learn and fail at parenting and then get back up and try again. :)
Wednesday went much smoother and because she'd been through the routine once, she was ready to go and headed out the door without any encouragement from me. She's riding the bus home as well and has her own key to get in the house. She's feeling very grown up about that. My little girl is growing up. **sigh**
She loves her teachers and her schedule so far. She's signed up for chorus. She finally decided that's what she wants to do for right now. Her favorite is her science teacher during 7th period. Ellis is a great school. I've heard from many school teachers that it's the best middle school in Sumner County. I'm excited for her to go there and learn and meet new friends.
