From little heartbreaks to big achievements: The end to our grade 1 story
In her column, Tracy shares experiences and lessons learnt as she navigates life and grows with her two boys. To share your views email Tracy on [email protected]
Image: File
Big boy at his class party
Image: Teacher Jansen
I can’t believe we’re here. The end of Grade 1. If you had told me at the start of this year that I’d be sitting here with a heart so full it feels like it might burst, I probably would have laughed through tired tears.
But here we are, and my mommy heart is feeling everything all at once-pride, nostalgia, wonder, and a little bit of disbelief at how quickly my baby is growing into his own little person.
One of the moments I keep replaying in my mind is his awards ceremony day. I remember the way his face fell when he didn’t receive the overall achiever award. He cried, and through the tears he said, “But Mommy, I worked so hard.”
At the time, I held him close and told him how proud I was, but I didn’t fully understand just how hard he really had worked. Now I do. His report card came home with all 7s.
Every single subject. And suddenly, that broken little heart from that day made so much sense. He wasn’t being dramatic – he was being honest. He really did give it his all.
That report also transported me back to the days he was absent from school when he fractured his finger. Those were not easy days. He didn’t want to stay at home, but he had to.
He would sit there, bored and frustrated, asking when he could go back, afraid he would miss out. And yet, despite those interruptions, he caught up, pushed through, and never lost his spark. That kind of drive in a child so young honestly humbles me. It makes me so proud I sometimes just sit quietly and stare at him, wondering how I got so lucky.
This final week was filled with little memories I’ll hold close forever, especially his class party. It was Roblox-themed, which already tells you how serious this was in his world. And of course, my child was not about to be average.
On the morning of the party, he suddenly decided he wanted to be a robot character from Roblox. Not a simple costume situation a full character transformation. Cue the mommy panic. We had no time, no costume, and a child fully committed to a vision.
So we improvised. We grabbed a milk box, cut holes, added little details, and somehow created a robot-like outfit. He helped. He designed. He took it very seriously. By the time he put it on, his face said everything: pride, excitement, and a belief that anything is possible if you just create it. That morning stressed me in ways only other moms will fully understand, but I wouldn’t change it for anything.
When I fetched his report, I had a moment with his teacher that I will never forget. She told me how proud she is of him, too. It took me back to the first term, when we had an honest conversation about his energy levels.
He would finish his work quickly, then walk around the class talking to other children. Hand always in the air, desperate to answer every single question, sometimes forgetting to give others a turn. His academic strength was already shining, but the talking… the talking was definitely a thing.
But we figured it out together. I started packing extra drawing books, reading materials, and activity books to keep him busy once he was done with his work. Slowly, he learned balance. He learned patience. He learned that his bright mind could be a gift and not a disruption.
To Miss Jansen, thank you. Thank you for your patience with my boy. Thank you for investing in his strengths and gently guiding his weaknesses. Thank you for believing in him.
And now, the six-week holiday begins. Wish us luck.
To my boy: I am so, so very proud of you. Always.