School Time!

Remember school supplies?? What was more fun that shopping for school supplies? I loved it! Get to pick out all new things for basically what would be your own "office" (if you will) for the entire school year. I remember taking the list and going through marking off what I got out and plopped in the shopping cart and then going home and spreading it all out to look at it and marvel over what I had gotten.

Of course there was always the times that I was upset that I didn't get to get some name brand of something or that I had to shop at Venture for my supplies (I was kinda a brat like that!). I don't recall specifics but I'm sure that my mother tried to keep us away from getting anything with characters on it. Likely for two reasons: it was more money and she has a thing about giving into the marketing to children like that. Since becoming a mother myself, I have faced this many a times and I'm sure will face it many more too. Whereas more often than not, our family has the money to pony up on the cost difference, I try to steer them away from it more on principle. I now understand - okay mom?? Proud? You taught me something!

Tonight Brayden and I went shopping for his school supplies. Just he and I. I armed him with our list and a pen and as we went through Target and found items on our list, he tossed them in the basket and then crossed them off of our list ever so carefully. What a fun time we had he and I. He sure is growing up.

"I'm nervous to go to kindergarten Mom." "I think a lot of people feel that way sweetie. No one has ever been before they go for the first time. They don't know really what to expect," I say. I'm not totally convinced that he is nervous though. I almost feel like he's saying it because he somehow feels like he should feel that way. We'll have to see what comes on the first day to find out for certain!

As we near the end of our list we come to the backpacks and lunchboxes. He is going towards a character backpack and lunchbox. I remind him that we already got him a lunch box at World Market. He liked it then but now sees the Scooby Doo van lunch box and wants it a bit instead. He says that he wishes we hadn't gotten one yet. He tries on the Star Wars backpack and says how much he loves it. I also have him try on the cool yet simple red and black backpack which he immediately says is too big although he likes the red. What to do what to do. Do I give into the marketing and desire to have a character on something my young son is carrying that he, by the way, may decide he doesn't like 3 months into school or do I give him others to choose from, none of which have a character on them? Is he the kid that gets made fun of because he has the plain jane backpack and all the other kids have character ones? Is he the kid that stands up for what he's got and likes and makes his own kind of cool? How do we teach him to be that without getting hurt? Why does it have to be so hard? Sheesh! I know one thing, I am likely overthinking it and making it harder than it needs to be.

I had fun with you tonight Brayden! It is so neat to see you growing up - how weird to think that we are at the point of starting kindergarten and entering yet another new chapter in this never ending story of you. I love you peanut!

Amen and good night! Phew!