It was Hayley’s first day of kindergarten yesterday! Do you ever look at your kid and think “When did that happen?! ” That was me when I let go of her hand and watched her walk to her desk . Wow. She just walked away. Didn’t even look back.

I spent my day nervous about something I’ve done plenty of times now. I was totally prepared and comfortable about what I had planned, yet the day of I still stressed over my plans, worried about what might go wrong, fretted over timing and pacing and wondering what others might think. Was I doing what was expected of me? Was I doing a good job? My new 6th and 10th graders had no idea that I was probably just as anxious as them. Well, maybe not the 6th graders. Those poor guys are a ball of excited nerves.

When I asked Hayley about school after rushing to pick her up as soon as was allowed, she didn’t relate to me how scary new it was or how hard the new rules were or how tired she was (although I did see her rub her eyes!). She told me about the new: she had her first ever art class, her first ever visit to the big kid playground, her new coloring job.

Don’t kids make new things sound so awesome?

Why is new so hard for adults? Why is new so scary, so tiring, so intimidating? I have so much to learn from this kid. Sure, she gets nervous about things, but she always seems to come out on top excited about the new.

So, let’s try it, mamas. Let’s try to embrace the new. Without the comfort of whining or dreading or the horrible feelings of reluctance. Why not jump in with two feet and come out the other side relishing in the excitement of the new?

Here’s to the new school year and the amazing opportunity that its newness offers!