So, 8 more days school starts. I have one child starting kindergarten. My baby. Of course, playing into my neuroses, I pull out the Kindergarten Readiness check list and see how we’re doing. Let’s see if I’m ready for kindergarten.

Social Development:

1. Can be taken away from parents without being overly upset. (um…check, unless my Mother’s giving me her opinion on what I should wear or how clean my countertops are)

2. Can spend extended periods of time away from parents. (um…not really)

3. Explores and tries new things. (not usually without self-medicating)

4. Curious and motivated to learn. (well…)

5. Puts away toys and helps with family chores. (not without griping profusely)

6. Meets visitors without shyness. (check, yay!)

7. Finishes tasks. (not without griping profusely)

8. Describes some basic emotions and feelings. (chuh, yeah…just ask my husband)

9. Expresses feelings and needs. (not without griping profusely)

10. Recognizes authority. (I own a mirror!)

11. Gets along and plays cooperatively with other childern. (flarg!)

12. Can take care of own toilet needs independently. (ok, I can…but there are others in this house…)

13. Feels good about self and talks easily. (I’m not answering that.)

14. Dresses self and cares for own belongings. (except everything I own ends up covered in Spaghettios)

Yeah, it’s no longer the baby I’m worried about.