A Letter to A First Grade Teacher: Take Care of My Girl

Dear First Grade Teacher~

Somehow sending my sweet girl off to school for first grade was nearly as bittersweet as last year’s steps into Kindergarten.  I should be good at this by now, right?  I’ve seen her in her uniform.  She’s been under a teacher’s care for the full day.  She’s come home stronger, smarter and sassier.

delaneydaddyfirstday2And yet, I still feel compelled to share a few words with you.  I want you to know her.

That goofy nature, the desire to make silly faces, the contagious giggle?  She gets that from her Daddy. She comes by her love of play and joking ways honestly.  From him she has learned to laugh and tease, smile and see the best in most every situation.

The sensitivity?  The dramatic?  I’ll own up to those traits.  She and I share those. Oh, and the freckles, too.

But that tendency to be a bit shy?  She doesn’t get that from either of us.  That is all her. So is her heart, her kindness, her wish to be independent, her beautiful singing voice, her love of friends and that deep-down-belly-laughter.

delaney1stgradeShe doesn’t love to read yet, but I’m trying.  Math and Science are ok, but art?  And music?  Just try to stop her.

I just want you to know, in walking my little girl into your classroom, I am both excited and apprehensive.  I’m thrilled for the adventures that lie ahead of her.  I’m delighted she has you to guide her.  But I am watching time slip away.  With every uniform skirt she dons, every classroom she enters, with every word she learns to read and write, with every moment she lets go of my hand to take a friend’s, I am forced to let a little piece of my baby girl slip away.

I know you will handle her with care.  I have watched you with the children, the eye contact, the smiles, the enthusiasm, the genuine love you share.  For this, I am grateful.

And if you would, warn her second grade teacher.  I don’t think I’ll be letting go by then either.

Love,

Delaney’s Mom

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  • http://www.milestonememoriesmn.com Christy

    Oh my, the tears are near by today.

  • http://asouthernfairytale.com Rachel ~ Southern Fairytale

    Love this so much <3
    I have a letter written but haven’t posted it yet.
    Love your heart.

  • http://ourcrazyboys.com Becca – Our Crazy Boys

    I love it. And as a teacher, it’s a wonderful reminder that every one of my students has a Mom that wants them taken care of :)

  • http://www.lifescrazyjoke.com Meredith @lifescrazyjoke

    That is so sweet.

  • http://teampipkin.blogspot.com Nicole @TeamPipkin

    what a touching letter to her teacher. i feel the same way and my girl is my baby. she entered kindergarten last week. tomorrow my oldest son will enter college & my middle son his sophomore year of HS.
    but the girl…she is the baby. i want to protect her. in fact…this year i volunteered for EVERYTHING the school is doing. i want to enjoy every bit of it.
    we got lucky with her kinder teacher. the teacher has a son the same age of my 15yo, they were in 1st grade together. so i knew my daughter’s teacher when she was taking her teaching tests & subbing. she is very kind with the kids. and to think she is now teaching my son’s little sister.

  • http://www.mommyniri.com niri

    Danielle, mine starts Kindergarten this fall but honestly in between the therapies and stressing about how she will be in school I forget to worry about how she is growing and how much I really will miss these days.

  • http://movingonfromthedrama.blogspot.com Amy

    I love this letter. It made my cry. While I only have a preschooler, I am sure it doesn’t get any easier to leave them in someone else’s care year after year.

  • Danielle

    Rach – you are are little slice of heaven – and that baby girl of yours? so lucky!

  • Danielle

    Becca – more than anything….thank you. Thank you for being the kind of teacher my small people rely on for guidance…..and for understanding that there are people like me behind them! xoxoxo

  • Lauralee Hensley

    I bet the teacher enjoyed your letter. It’s hard to cut the apron strings when they are still so tiny.

  • http://www.loulousviews.com Loukia

    So, so sweet. Lovely letter.
    My oldest son start senior kindergarten in two weeks – we’re much more ready this year than last, however, it’s still only half days. Next year, in grade one, when he is there all day? I don’t know HOW I’ll deal. :(

  • http://www.childrenRfirst.com Kristi

    I LOVE this!! Straight from the heart of every mommy. My only baby will be starting K in 13 days, 5 hours and 57 minutes. So bittersweet.

  • http://mrs.flinger.us Mrs. Flinger

    OMG Yes yes. My daughter starts first grade, too. I’m all sorts of teary about it. XO

  • Danielle

    Kristi – I LOVE that you know EXACTLY how long before she starts…..that is the heart of a mommy….

  • Danielle

    Lou – thank you – my small dude is half days this year, but then Kindergarten is full days next year – I feel the same way.

  • Danielle

    Lauralee – I hope you are right….. It is hard to let go. (though lately, I’m feeling some pushed buttons so it is slightly easier :)

  • http://www.funny-first-grade-people.com First Grade Teacher

    Awww, that letter is SO PRECIOUS! I’m sure your daughter will want to keep it forever. And you’ve definitely got it right … Cherish and enjoy every minute … Just to encourage you, remember that every stage in her life will be WONDERFUL! But for right now, I wholeheartedly agree … First grade is a fast, fun, and extra special time!