Youngest Kid School-Life Vibes

Okay, peeps.

As usual, these days, I've got a backlog of posts to share, and very little time to type up and share them all! But, I don't want these sweet, lovely tidbits to pass me by, so...I'm going to try to knock out a few catch-up posts, today!

(In absolutely no specific order of timeline or significance, ha.)

This first post is in honor of my (not so) Little Man, who continues to awe me with his chill approach to 4th grade--not to mention, his status as the only lingering family member in Elementary.

Yup. My boy is low-key slaying it as one of the Big Kids in school, and his whole relaxed vibe to life and school is exactly what I never knew I always needed.

Is it his gender? No clue.

Is it his status as the youngest in the household? Perhaps.

Is it just a fantastic, lucky phase? I hope so; but I also hope (hope, hope!) this vibe is here to stay!

Take, for example, his approach to some of his Elementary school's events.

Not gonna lie...by this point in my Mama Life, I've been through every annual district, specific-to-our-Elementary, holiday-related, or PTA-sponsored event there is. Many times over. (And, truth be told: I might kinda sorta be over them, ha.)

I'm sooooo stinking excited to report that I'm finally in the phase of my mothering life where some of the hardest core PTA peeps are starting to forget about me--and/or, they've started to realize that I'm phasing out of these young kid events, with two of mine now in Middle School (and one of the cusp of High School; yikes!).

And. It. Is. Fantastic. 

Don't get me wrong: I've loved (loved, loved) all the time spent volunteering at the school, and I wouldn't trade the experience and the memories for the world.

But...it's also sort of freeing and amazing that my son is so easy-breezy about so many of the events, himself, that I'm feeling less and less pressure to participate.

So often, lately, when given the choice, Little Man's opting himself out. Like, the recent Bike Rodeo: an annual event that used to cause mass anxiety in our household, but was a literal non-issue last week, with Little Man (and all but one of his male classmates) deciding to be chill and cheer people on, instead of riding to compete, themselves.

https://delappenings.blogspot.com/2023/11/bike-rodeo-training.html

And. I. Love. This. New. Vibe.

I'm guessing this gentle phase-out is a common occurrence with Youngest Kids in any given family--likely, because they've been through it all a million times, on behalf of their siblings and themselves. And, also, because the Youngest Kids in any given family are often ready to be grown up like their siblings--like, ASAP. Such a double-edged sword, but a real and accurate thing.

Anywho.

The chill, sometimes-participatory, sometimes-not vibe is incredible.

And eliminates so much angst.

And better, still: it makes it so easy and happy to celebrate the things Little Man does want to participate in, because I know he's actually thought it through and deemed the particular event worthy of his time, attention, and interest.

Like, this past Friday night's Trunk or Treat event!

Literally, Little Man's first mention of it was only 48 hours prior.

Like: Hey, you know this thing is happening...should we go? And I sort of let it hang as his decision. Then, lo and behold, he came home from school on Friday afternoon, all in. Ready to do this thing. And it was such a spur-of-the-moment decision, we just went with it.

In between a cross country pick-up and our dinner run for the evening, the hubby and I literally escorted our hysterical Peely Bone son to the school for nothing but happy times.

In fact, he was so chill about getting prepped and ready to go, that he was suited up before I even called for him to get ready, and spent a handful of minutes shooting hoops outside before we left. Love it.

Again, maybe this is a gender difference, coming in to play, since my girlies would have spent an hour primping and prepping for a fun costume event. Who knows? But either way, I am here for this fun, low-stress vibe!

Better still: Little Man found some of his friends before we'd even made it across the parking lot, and I knew it was yet another sign that this was an event worthy of our time and attention. To see him syncing up with his bros was so cute. And their costumes were even cuter!

It was a happy hour spent connecting with other parents and kids that I know, some fun time for my boy to hang with his buddies in his costume (especially sweet, since we won't be here for Halloween!), and just an all-around win/win.

And a massive bonus??? I didn't even feel guilty about not volunteering as part of the PTA for the event!

I mean...have I made it over yet another parenting hump/milestone??? Is this what it feels like when your kids age and it's not a heinous, hormone-induced, negative new milestone you're hitting? Ha.

One of the annual, Elementary fundraiser events is happening at school tomorrow (a running laps event) and, an hour ago, I was literally like: Should I come watch you run? And Little Man was like: Nah. I mean, I don't want to hurt your feelings or anything but...I don't want to be embarrassed, ha.

Message received: Don't come, Mom. I'm old and cool and independent. ;)

As one final, incredible point of interest: despite the aging up of my boy, and the slow and steady steps I'm able to take away from volunteering and being ever-present up at school (despite still acting as the official Room Rep for his classroom), he's still performing so well, academically and behaviorally.

Obviously, he scored his really incredible leadership award, just a couple weeks ago, and last week, he came home with the news that he's been selected to help emcee the new school Talent Show that's taking place in January.

Honestly, it gets me a little emotional when I sit with all my feelings and ruminate on Little Man's obvious success, and the work I've put in, that I can now sort of pass along to younger moms with up-and-coming kiddos.

I thank God about a million times a day that He gifted me my son as my youngest. I suspect I might have these kinds of delicious, low-key phases that let me breathe a little easier more and more as my son ages.

And that is beyond fantastic, considering my breathing in a whole lot of other life areas is more difficult than ever!

New level, new devil, amiright???

Grateful for the little victories, and for the phases that arrive and are wonderful--especially when we least expect them to be!

Okay...more catch-up posts, soon! I hope!

Happy Monday, peeps!

Over and out.