Mark Twain had once remarked : “Never let your schooling interfere with your education”.  As much as I believed in it and had entertained the thought of schooling my child all on my own, it was only practical that we considered some formal schooling process to ensure that our child learns the basics in an environment that would go on to become the society she will inhabit in the future.

The date was 15th June 2006.  It was the day my little angel – Pumpkin – would first experience going to school.

We’d debated and discussed the subject, as parents, for many months preceeding that day : What’s the right age for a child to be put into school?  What kind of a playschool should it be?  A really fancy (read: expensive) one or a nice homely type?  How will she adjust?  She already knows so much and talks so well – Will she go there and regress?!  She doesn’t fight like other kids – Will she able to manage on her own?  Questions, questions and more questions…

My wife did all the digging-up of the various options, what they offer, how much they charge, etc.  And, we finally settled on a homely type – Little Stars – not too far from where we live.  The slated start was mid-June, and we assumed it would be a Monday.  BossLady (my wife) even scheduled her Training program to start later that week, but life had other plans for us.

The school called : “Please bring Pumpkin to school on 15th June at 11.15 a.m.” 

It was to be a Wednesday, and BossLady was scheduled to be in a Training program!  It fell upon me to do the needful.  I didn’t think it would be a big deal, but as the day grew closer, I started getting butterflies in my stomach… Is she ready for this?  Are we ready for this?  What if it rains heavily that day?  Do we have a raincoat?  We don’t have a waterproof bag!  Questions, questions and more questions…

Aunty Natasha sent her a raincoat just a few days before the school commenced.  I bought her a (waterproof) new school bag, in time for the big event.  BossLady got it all ready, with the essentials packed in.  I told my boss I would be in late – “personal work”.  And, on the morning of 15th, I drove her to school. 

A couple of days earlier, she had developed a bit of a flu.  The otherwise cheerful child was not quite her self, on the first day of her schooling.  But, we would try to make the most of it.  On the way, I coached her as best as possible : Have fun.  Don’t get scared if other children cry.  Don’t talk too much if you’re coughing a lot.  Grandma will come and pick you up.  Ok?

So off we went to Little Stars.  She liked the inviting billboard that announced the location of the playschool.  “The star is laughing!”, she said!  This was good.  She was taking it pretty well.  (I always knew she would!)  There was utter chaos outside the playschool.  A lot of anxious parents trying to do what it takes… some filling in forms, some consoling crying children, while others were giving/taking instructions of some sort.  They were all moms, except for me!  I said to myself, “I’ll do the form-filling later”. 

I looked at Pumpkin and asked her if she’s all set to go to her new school.  She said, yes, and was craning to get a glimpse of the activity behind the entrance door.  So I gave her a big kiss and a hug, and sent her off inside.

Life would never be the same again.