Tuesdays and Thursdays: A Letter to My Youngest On His Last Week of Preschool

To my youngest,

This is your very last week of preschool. Only two more Tuesdays and Thursdays together. Only two of our “special days” left, when we go on play dates, have friends over, or go to the store and you get a special treat for no other reason than because you asked for it. Three days a week, I drop you off at preschool and head out to my day. But Tuesdays and Thursdays are special, because they are our days.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays we do anything we want. We go to the library or the park, watch a movie, or do nothing and just hang out. On Tuesdays and Thursdays you crawl into my bed and those moments when we cuddle are my favorite part of the day. We read books, sing songs, and play many games of UNO that you always win. 

When your brother started Kindergarten we were all a little nervous about the new dynamic. How would you feel without your buddy? What would you do? You would have me all to yourself, something you’d never had before.

So we embraced our days together, you and me, and I got to love you as much as I could. Some days we drove each other crazy and you couldn’t wait for Daddy to come home so that you wouldn’t have to be with me anymore. But most of the time? Our Tuesdays and Thursdays were wonderful.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays you were always by my side. You were my companion in the carpool line, where we talked and talked while you enjoyed a snack. I tried using that time to read a book once or twice at the beginning of the school year, but you wouldn’t let me because you never stop talking. If I got frustrated I would say to myself, Try to enjoy these moments—there aren’t a lot of them left. 

Sometimes the days went by and the routine overwhelmed me—there was always something to do, some work to finish, a pile of laundry to fold, or a text to answer. Some days I couldn’t help but wonder, Did I do enough today? Did I play with him enough? Did we read enough books? Did I pay too much attention to my phone? I hope you know how much I love you, even on the days that I didn’t show you. 

Your last year of preschool was a bonus year for us, and I made a conscious decision to enjoy it and you. There were games and laughter, kisses and hugs, doctors’ appointments and trips to the store. I am so lucky that I got to spend those days with you. We tell each other we’re “gonna miss this”  all the time, but I don’t think you know how much I will miss YOU

I’ve been counting down the months for a long time now. I’ve been dreading this moment deep inside my mommy soul. In just a few short days, you’ll be done with preschool and you’ll be up and away to Kindergarten. Whenever I tell someone how I feel about the “end” of this chapter, they say, “You still have three long months of summer before he goes to Kinder.” But what they don’t understand is that Tuesdays and Thursdays are ours. And they won’t be again.

When you and your brother were little, I longed for the days when you would go off to preschool—if only for a few short hours—so that I could catch a breath and have time to shower. And now your preschool days have flown by and you’re starting Kindergarten in just a few short months. I know it’s a good thing, and I can’t wait to see what the future brings, but it’s bittersweet, watching you grow so fast. 

So here we are, enjoying the very last of our Tuesdays and Thursdays together. I’d better enjoy them, as there are only a few days left now. I’m trying to take in every second of them because I feel like they’re slipping away. I’m sure we’ll still play our board games, but not like we did today. 

I am so proud of you, my little boy, and on “graduation day” I will wear my biggest smile. If you see me cry a little, don’t worry; I’ll just be thinking about how much I’ll miss our Tuesdays and Thursdays together, and how much I’ll miss you.

Love,
Mom

Alejandra
Born and raised in Mexico just two hours away from San Antonio, Alejandra moved to the Alamo City in 2010 with her husband. A year later they welcomed their first son, and in 2013 she officially became a mom of two boys. She has a degree in Communications from the University of Monterrey, and has worked as a writer and editor for both print and web media. A classically trained pianist, Alejandra currently freelances as a copy writer and translator. Favorite Restaurant: Palenque Grill Favorite Landmark: The Historic Pearl Favorite San Antonio Tradition: Fiesta de las Luminarias