First Steps

Dropping our six-year-old daughter off at her new school was not always easy. We quickly learned to gauge the degree of difficulty by the number of contact points she needed while walking in. If she held just one hand on the way to her classroom, we knew we could expect a smooth transition. When the ratio moved to two of her little hands to our one, the departure would likely include a bit of drama. Two hands and her cheek, and we knew we were in for a rough few minutes. Eventually, her journey to the classroom became more manageable, and she grew to appreciate her independence and ability to get there on her own. So did we.

Watching our students arrive at school every day, I wonder what it takes for each of them to step onto campus and join their classmates. Some bound out of their cars with such excitement and joy that they forget to close the car door, say goodbye to whoever drove them to school, or grab their lunch. Others need a little more encouragement and gentle cajoling to take the first step. And then others have fallen back to sleep or are lost in a podcast or music, blissfully unaware that they have arrived. Although our Upper School students are more likely to be in the third group, age isn’t the only factor. 

In contemplating our return to campus this year, I’ve thought a lot about what it takes for each of us to show up and thrive in this community. Like a child in the first days of school, we all approach new experiences and ideas in varied ways. As I watched my children grow up, I often questioned whether the help I gave them in difficult situations sent signals that I didn’t believe they had enough within them to succeed. Perhaps with the benefit of hindsight, I have also realized the influential role that my own bravery played in how they tackled difficult situations. Parenting is not meant to be easy, and we serve our children best when we remember to prepare them for the path ahead rather than trying to smooth the path for them. 

JWB