Well, we've made it. The last days of elementary school are here. The last couple of weeks have been fairly emotional for Sam, and it's starting to catch up to me finally, too. I am relieved to be experiencing this with very few regrets, and in a good headspace to tackle the big changes ahead. A year ago I would not have been feeling this way, so I guess its good that things are timed the way they are.
Sam has enjoyed this year of school, the first year I feel like he has really been involved on anything other than a very personal level. This year it became more about the school itself, his classes and the friends he's made. The fact that he is feeling sad about leaving this school and the people he's come to know over 3 years indicates that he's growing up in a lot of ways. Another year of elementary school might make that awareness even greater, and might make those ties stronger. But we don't have another year. Time marches on and middle school waits for no one.
I know it will take Sam time to get used to middle school- how long is hard to say. The changes will be profound- faster pace, more demanding schedule, social pressures. I am nervous about those changes and how he will deal with them. His coping skills are many times better than they were at his last transition, and what's even better, I know that I can work with him to improve them further still. Nevertheless, the first year will most likely be filled with challenges that we don't even see coming on the horizon.
I used to think of middle school as a black hole where kids got sucked in and just had to make it through the experience as best they can. I now look at it a little differently as far as Sam is concerned. He has always, developmentally, done things that were atypical from other kids- like mastered skills meant for older kids at an earlier age, never had fears like many children do, etc. So there is no reason to think that since middle school is miserable for many kids, his experience might be the polar opposite. I feel like he is on the verge of really breaking out of some of the things that have held him back before- and I hope the Mrs. Walter's class is going to be just the thing to help him keep on that path. Nurturing enough so he feels safe and supported, but challenging enough to keep him working hard and wanting to do it. There looks to be some positive student role models in the class, and my hope is that he will emulate them and follow their lead.
I'm sure there will be a few tears saying goodbye this week- but I feel good about moving forward. We have made some good, educated decisions that should yield good results and if not, effective damage control. It isn't often I get to feel this way about impending changes, so I am just going to trust my gut and hope it doesn't steer me wrong.
