I refused to go to kindergarten.

On my first day, I dug in my heels and wouldn’t walk to school with my siblings. I told my mom no and meant it. I was so stubborn about it that she personally had to usher me down the block and into the building.

I didn’t want to go, but I’m glad I did because something magical happened that first morning.

Her name was Mrs. Smith. My kindergarten teacher.

I had an immediate crush on her. In fact, I was so smitten that I didn’t want to leave that afternoon. Just like my mother had to drag me to school, my teacher had to drag me home.

Instead of getting upset with me about my stubborn behavior that day, my mom chose to connect with my heart. She could tell that I liked my teacher, so she encouraged me to invite Mrs. Smith over for dinner. Mrs. Smith was kind enough to agree. And few days later, we had dinner together.

Sort of. My mom and Mrs. Smith talked at the dining room table while I sat in the living room with my TV tray, watching Batman.

Author Erin MacPherson had nightmares leading up to her son’s first day of school. She’d wake up in the middle of the night with dark questions racing through he mind. What if someone picks on him? What if he can’t find his classroom? What if he wanders off?

Fortunately, that first day, and every one since, has been a mix of both challenge and opportunity that sparked the idea for Erin’s book, The Christian Mama’s Guide to the Grade School Years: Everything You Need to Know to Survive (and Love) Sending Your Kid Off into the Big Wide World.

If you’re wondering how to get your child off to a good start in grade school, join me for my conversation with Erin MacPherson and her mom, Ellen Schuknecht on our Focus on the Family Broadcast “Navigating the Grade School Years.” We discuss their years of experience as moms, authors, and education experts and share practical insights that will help you and your child make the most of these years.

Listen to our program on your local radio station, online, on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, via Google Podcasts, or take us with you on our free phone app.

For a gift of any amount, we’ll send you a copy of Erin’s book. Click here for details.