back to school tears

[Rine]

I wasn't sure where to stick this. It's not about SCs, but it's about customers...so, yeah. I just wanted to share some of my positive back to school stories...

Today I was at work and was stuck in the children's cac doing check outs because we have no cashiers for some reason. Anyhow, this adorable little boy runs up to our meganormus back pack display and begins to sort through them. I see his mother standing nearby simply watching.

The little boy finally picks out a spiderman back pack complete with a little water bottle and lunch box inside and puts it on. It's nearly too big for him. He looks up at his mom and says, "mommy, I want this one! This is the one!"

Then the mom starts to cry suddenly and comes over to me. "He's starting school for the first time. He's growing up too fast." I'm not sure what to tell her or do since just seeing her cry is making me a little emotional too. The little boy is so excited that he doesn't want to take off his back pack. His mom picks him up so I can scan the tag and then I put a little piece of security tape on the tag so LP would know it's paid for.

He gives me a big smile and says, "I'm going to school next week. I'm going to be in kindergarten!" Then his mommy takes his hand and they walk to the escalator...she's still wiping at her eyes.

I got a little teary eyed myself...there was another incident like that after the little boy, involving a little girl buying her first back pack--a pink Barbie back pack. She was so excited and asked me very nicely if she could wear it out of the store. Of course I told her that she could and then she excitedly told me of what school she was going to and what her teacher's name is...and I imagine she would have told me a lot more had her mom not stopped her. Her mom looked like she was about to cry too during the entire transaction.

All last week I've dealt with excited school aged children and their parents. Little girls trying to find their perfect first day of school outfit and little boys trying to find the coolest backpack. Parents that want to be happy for their children but at the same time, sad that they are starting school. (Or in some cases, very, very relieved. ) I always try and go an extra mile for new students and give them congrats and whatnot.

Aw...I can't imagine what those moms will be like on their kid's first day of kindergarten. If they were getting teary eyed just buying back packs...

[Soulstealer]

Gods damn it, why'd you remind me? Now I'm all weepy that my youngest cousin (and child out our generation in the family) is starting the equivelent of kindergarten this year. Next year she'll be off at primary school.

[Becks]

I don't even have children and that made me cry a little.

[BookstoreEscapee]

That's so cute! Am I the only one who was picturing the PetSmart commercial with the dachshund who always has his toy, and when it gets so ratty they take him to get a new one, he has it in his mouth and they just pick up the whole dog to scan the toy? I love that commercial.

Mom should enjoy it while she can...in a few years she'll most likely be dealing with "But Mom, I don't want to go to school!!"

[Buglady]

Aw, that's so sweet!

I'm going back to school myself (...EEK) and I'm ridiculously excited and scared and stuff. Mainly because I have NO idea how I'm paying my tuition, but also because i think I finally figured out what to be wen I grow up

[tollbaby]

Am I the only parent in the world who doesn't get choked up about my kids starting school? Seriously... I didn't. Not once. I was thrilled that they were so happy to be there, and they were both REALLY excited when their turn came. It was a big adventure to go school shopping, and when we got to the school with my daughter, she hopped out of the car and ran off to the throng of kids without even saying goodbye LOL we didn't snap pictures or anything... it was pretty much a non-event. I'm looking forward to my son going back to school this year because he's been EXTREMELY bored all summer, and he's all hyped up to enter grade 3.

[Rine]

@Tollbaby, my dad was the same way. He just sort of kissed me on the head and threw me into the school. No pictures, no tears...I was fine and he was fine. The only time my parents got emotional about one of their kids starting school was when the twins--the youngest--started. Mostly because the twins were terrified at the thought of being seperated and in turn, this distressed my parents. Lots of tears that year...


But maaan, so many kids were in shopping today for school. I saw and heard some little kid crying because his folks had to buy uniform clothing and he wanted to "wear the really cool lightening mcqueen shirt!" to school. But mommy said no. I can't imagine what the crowds are going to be starting next week for tax free week. I know I'll probably see more weepy parents like last year.

[myswtghst]

I think the only time I remember my mom getting choked up about me going off to school was when they moved me into my college dorm my freshman year, as it was my first time being away from home for longer than a week without her. It was cute though.

[hawkchick11]

I'm pretty sure I'll cry when my big guy goes off to kindergarten.. at least I have 4 years before that happens.

I don't remember my mom crying when I went off to kindergarten, but I know she cried when she dropped me off at college freshman year.

[Ree]

I cried after I dropped my daughter off for her first afternoon at kindergarten.

I called my Mom and sobbed for an hour, because I knew that was the beginning of the end and my baby was going to be all grown up before I knew it.

I cried for a week when she headed off to college 2 years ago.

That was a really beautiful story, Rine.
Thanks for sharing it.

[RecoveringKinkoid]

I got teary eyed at that, too.

Thanks for posting something so nice. I enjoyed it.

[Retail Associate]

Even though it was many, many years ago when my only child (son) started school, I remember it like it was yesterday. I took lots of pictures. I have one of him sitting on the couch looking out the window waiting for the bus. Another of him heading out the front door. Another of him standing in front of the bus before entering it and yet another of him sitting on the bus as it drove away.

I waited until the bus was out of site before the tears began to flow, but flow they did...for a hour or more!

A cute little story about his first day of kindergarten...When he arrived home that afternoon I asked him how his day went. He replied, "It was fun. I think I'll go again tomorrow!"

It was at that moment I realized that I had neglected to inform him that school would be an everyday thing.



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Edited to add:
My son is all grown up now and on his own. When he moved out 2 years ago I cried everyday for a month. What I wouldn't give to have him be 5 yrs old again.

Empty nest syndrome sucks!



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