I can’t believe her first day of kindergarten is just days away. Somehow, September 2 has crept up on us, and my little girl is about to start school. I know each school district has different start dates. Some children will start after Labour Day, but our district chose September 2. So, whether I’m ready or not, kindergarten is almost here!

As a single mum, I like to stay organised. I would much rather get things done early than leave everything until the last minute. That is why I actually started thinking about school preparation back in May.

I wasn’t trying to have everything ready months ahead. Instead, I wanted to make sure we had plenty of time. That way, if I needed something later, I wouldn’t find myself searching for it when everything was sold out.

Now that we are only days away, I’m glad I started early.

Starting Kindergarten Prep Early

Getting ready for kindergarten has been a slow process for us. We haven’t needed to rush around buying everything at once.

Talking about school has become part of our everyday life. We also walk down towards the school so my daughter can see the entrance and know where she will be going.

In June, we spent about an hour at her new school. That visit helped both of us feel more comfortable about September.

She was a little shy at first. However, she soon became very interested in her new surroundings. I also quickly learned that she was a Paw Patrol expert!

The June visit was useful for another reason too. We now know where we need to enter and what to expect when we arrive.

Meeting her teacher has also been a comforting step. Having a familiar face at school makes the whole thing feel a little easier.

We Don’t Have a Kindergarten Supply List Yet

One thing that makes our kindergarten preparation a little different is the fact that we haven’t received a school supply list yet.

At this point, I don’t know exactly what my daughter will need to bring.

From what we understand, the children will spend the beginning of kindergarten doing plenty of hands-on play. They will also learn classroom routines and get used to their new surroundings.

Honestly, I’m fine with waiting.

I’m not going to go out and buy an entire kindergarten classroom just because September is here!

Once the school tells us what we need, we’ll get it. Until then, there is no reason for me to spend money on things she may never use.

Sometimes getting ahead means knowing when to wait.

What We Have Bought So Far

We have bought a few things that I know she will need.

My daughter now has a matching backpack, lunchbox, separate bento box and thermos. Everything has a cute puppy dog design, which I think is adorable.

The bento-style lunchbox was an easy choice for me. I like having separate sections for her food because it keeps everything apart.

That could be especially helpful for a picky eater.

Her Gigi, my mum, actually picked the set out from Amazon. We didn’t ask my daughter to choose it because we already know what she likes!

We’ll also label everything. Thankfully, we are already used to labelling belongings from daycare, so that part doesn’t feel new to us.

For now, that’s really all we’ve bought specifically for school.

We did recently buy her a new snowsuit too. That purchase was more about getting ready for another Canadian winter than getting ready for kindergarten!

Getting Ready for School Lunches

School lunches are probably going to be one of the biggest things we’ll need to figure out.

My daughter can be a picky eater, so I’m not expecting to make complicated lunches every morning. Instead, I’m looking for ideas that include foods she already enjoys.

We’ve been looking at Pinterest for inspiration. I also keep thinking about what she likes to eat at home.

Some of the foods I’m considering include cold pasta, fruit, small cucumber sandwiches, crackers, carrots, cucumbers, hotdogs and chicken bites.

Really, I’ll choose whatever comes to mind that day and whatever I know she is likely to eat.

There is no point packing a beautiful lunch if she opens the lunchbox and decides she doesn’t want any of it!

For now, I’m keeping things simple.

We’ll probably pack her lunch in the morning because that is what works best for us. I don’t want to create another evening job when our current routine already works.

Testing Her Lunchbox Before School

One thing we’ve already done is test out her new lunchbox.

Thankfully, she manages it beautifully.

I wanted her to practise before school started. That way, she won’t have to figure out how everything works during her first school lunch.

We’ve tried opening the different sections and getting used to the containers. She seems to have no trouble with it, which is one less thing for me to worry about.

That may sound like a small detail, but these little things matter when you’re getting ready for a big change.

Helping Her Become More Independent

Daycare has already helped my daughter learn many everyday skills. Still, school will bring new routines and new expectations.

At home, we’ve been encouraging her to do more things on her own. We’ve also let her practise with her lunchbox and manage her own belongings.

The goal isn’t perfection.

Instead, I want her to feel confident enough to try things herself. She also needs to know that asking a teacher for help is completely okay.

The teachers understand that children arrive at kindergarten with different levels of independence. Some children will have attended daycare, while others will be experiencing a school setting for the first time.

That makes me feel better too.

My daughter doesn’t need to know everything before she walks through the school doors. She just needs to be ready to learn.

We Aren’t Changing Our Entire Routine

One thing I haven’t felt the need to do is completely change our daily routine.

My daughter already wakes up around 6:30 or 7:00 in the morning. Because of that, we aren’t making any major changes to her sleep schedule.

For the most part, our mornings should stay the same.

My mum will handle drop-off and pick-up, which is a huge help. I have mentioned this before, but having my mum available makes the school routine much easier for us.

My work routine won’t change either.

Instead, we’ll simply add school into the routine we already have.

I don’t think every family needs to completely change their life when a child starts school. If something already works, there is no need to fix it.

Getting Ahead Has Made This Week Feel Easier

Looking back, I’m really glad I started preparing in May.

It wasn’t because I needed five months to get my daughter ready for kindergarten. I simply wanted to stay organised and avoid the stress of leaving everything until the last minute.

Slowly, we got things done.

We visited the school and talked about kindergarten. Along the way, we met her teacher and practised with her lunchbox. Her belongings are labelled, and we’ve been encouraging her to do more things on her own.

Most importantly, she knows where she is going.

I also know where we need to enter the school. That means I won’t be trying to work it out while holding her hand on the first morning.

For me, that is what getting ahead is all about.

It isn’t about having everything perfect. Instead, it is about taking care of the things I can control.

What I’m Not Buying Yet

There are plenty of things I am choosing not to buy right now.

We don’t have a school supply list. So, I’m not going to guess what the school may want and buy a pile of things that might not be needed.

Whenever the school tells us what we need, we’ll get it.

Until then, I’m happy to wait.

I think this is an important part of getting ahead as a single mum.

Being prepared doesn’t mean spending money just because September is coming. It means looking at what you know, getting those things ready and staying open to whatever comes next.

There will always be something else to figure out.

That’s okay.

Getting Ready for the First Day

Of course, we’ve already thought about what the first day will look like.

I’m taking the day off work, which is important to me. I want to be there for this moment.

Our lawn sign should arrive the night before, so we’ll have it ready for the morning.

As for her outfit, we’ve already picked out a colourful striped dress with a little bunny on it.

I think it is perfect for her first day.

We’ll have breakfast and get ready before taking lots of pictures at home. Then my mum and I will walk with her to school.

After that, we’ll help her get settled and say goodbye.

This is probably the part where I will struggle.

I’m excited for her. At the same time, I know I will probably cry when I leave her.

What I’ll Do After Drop-Off

Once we have dropped her off, taken lots of pictures and I’ve stopped crying, my mum and I have a little plan of our own.

We’re going to head into Gananoque and have a late breakfast at Mavericks.

After breakfast, we’ll do a little shopping around town before heading home.

By then, it should be time to go back and pick her up from school.

I think having something planned after drop-off will help me.

Instead of going straight home and sitting there thinking about her, my mum and I will have somewhere to go.

I’m sure I’ll still think about her the entire time, though!

Getting Emotionally Ready for Kindergarten

I think the emotional side of starting school is just as important as the practical side.

My daughter is excited, which makes me happy. She seems ready to meet her classmates, see her teacher and discover what school is all about.

As for me, I have a few little worries.

I hope she enjoys her classmates. I hope she likes her teachers. Most of all, I hope she has fun.

There is also a small part of me that feels sad.

Daycare has been such a big part of her early years. Now, that chapter is coming to an end.

Starting kindergarten feels like a big moment for both of us.

She is growing up.

Of course, I’m excited to watch her grow. Still, there is something emotional about seeing your little girl walk into school for the first time.

You Don’t Have to Have Everything Figured Out

If there is one thing I’ve learned while getting ready for kindergarten, it is that you don’t need to have everything figured out before the first day.

We still have questions.

We don’t have a complete school supply list. I don’t know exactly how school lunches will go. We don’t know how quickly she’ll settle into her new routine.

And that’s okay.

We’ve prepared what we can.

We know where the school entrance is. She has met her teacher. She has practised with her lunchbox. Her backpack and lunch items are ready.

Most importantly, she is excited.

That is really what I want.

I want her to walk into kindergarten feeling happy and ready for this new adventure.

A New Chapter for Both of Us

Starting kindergarten feels like the beginning of a new chapter.

My daughter is moving from her daycare years into school. That feels like a pretty big change.

I hope she makes new friends and enjoys her teachers. Above all, I want her to have fun.

Hopefully, she will come home wanting to tell me absolutely everything about her day.

As for me, I’ll keep doing what I always do.

I’ll prepare as much as I can, keep things simple and figure out the rest as we go.

That is what getting ahead as a single mum looks like for me.

It isn’t about having a perfect plan.

Instead, it is about making sure the things I can control are ready. Then, when something unexpected comes up, I’ll deal with it.

September 2 is almost here.

I honestly can’t believe it.

My little girl is starting kindergarten.

I think we’re both ready for this next chapter.

Now I just need to make it through that first drop-off without completely falling

 

I share more real-life moments from single motherhood, Ontario adventures, everyday style, food finds, and behind-the-scenes blogging over on Instagram. 

Come say hello: @lifeofgem28 

 

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