Kisses, Crayons, and Crooked Hair

by Sara Spock

For the first time in years, I’m not a student. I’m not going back to university this fall, buying books, binders, pencils, and post-its. I won’t be living my life within the confines of student and preschooler time. Exams, 18-year-old classmates, papers, grade-grubbers, and lectures are behind me. I’ve transitioned from an adult student and researcher to a Penn State Graduate and stay-at-home mom, at least for the next year. Instead, I’m sending my 5-year-old off to Kindergarten. We’re spending August in search of the perfect Star Wars backpack, the fastest playground pounding shoes, a mile-long list of school supplies, and the best prices on bulk Kleenex.

With trembling hands, I filled out the registration paperwork and promised myself I would not cry. I. Would. Not. Cry. I managed to hold it together long enough to make it home, where I locked myself in the bathroom and bought more stock in Scott Tissue.  I thought about my own foray into the adventures of Kindergarten:

The look of horror on Mrs. Fuentes’ face when she caught me tasting the sweet minty deliciousness of non-toxic paste; the shocking realization that my parents weren’t omniscient; the crooked bangs in my kindergarten picture to hide 8 stitches across my forehead; the shouts from Mrs. Stahl when she caught Timmy and I under the table sharing the innocent smooch of first love; the stink-eye from my mom when she read my report card, “Sara is a very smart girl, but she talks too much in class.” 

Robert Fulghum was right, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten. The list of knowledge is different for each person, but the sentiment is true. Kindergarten teaches you about life, people, and where you fit. And it makes me wistfully sad and unbelievably proud that my baby is about learn his own set of life’s lessons.  I just hope he stays off the glue.



Sara Spock is a mom, wife, Penn State graduate, lab assistant, English tutor, and freelance writer.  When she’s not doing back to school shopping or catching cat naps with her 6 week old, Sara can be found over at The Hero Complex where she tries to save the world, one. blog. post. at. a. time.