Here’s to the New Kids

Sometimes on my short drive home from church I go through the neighborhood and pass by the elementary school that my boys will attend if we continue to live in this house (no plans to move now, but you never know for sure).

This Sunday I did just that. As I passed by I thought about my boys going there and what a sought after school it is. I have heard stories of parents actually camping out for weeks to get their children transferred to this school. Crazy, huh? I am thankful that we have such an exemplary (truly rated as such) school for our children.

My thoughts turned to my public school experience and the fact that I grew up in the same school district my entire childhood. My parents set up shop in their current house when I was 16 months old and have yet to budge.

What I really started thinking about was the fact that I never had to be the “new kid.” I was on the other side of the fence, constantly watching kids coming and going, a few of which I befriended and others whose names I didn’t remember after the first time. I thought about how more than likely someday my boys will have to be the “new kids” since I don’t envision us being in this house “forever.” I have some idea how it feels to be thrown into a new situation like that but never an entirely NEW school as a kid. I was always the one watching while the “new kid” was being introduced and I sat there wondering how they felt. I always felt for them, knowing that they had to make new friends and learn all about a new school and probably a new town too.

Still driving through the neighborhood, I started to have the same feelings for my sons, again thinking about their future and the possibility of them being the new kid someday. I thought perhaps I am inadequate to help them deal with the emotions and challenges that will come with such a scenario since I never went through it myself. But I have been there, just more as an adult (college, several new jobs). I guess I should count myself lucky that I never had to be the “new kid” just the “new adult,” which to me is a lot easier to handle.

I should also mention that their father was the “new kid” on several occasions and will more than likely have some nuggets of wisdom to pass on (he always does). I can tell you one thing for sure. He never had trouble making new girlfriends.

By the time I got back home my thoughts had moved on to something else, probably breakfast. Unfortunately though, I am notorious for worrying about things that may or may not ever happen.

Were you ever the new kid or have your kids had to be due to a move? Curious to know how you or they felt if so…