Starting school is a milestone every parent dreams of. For us, it was 14 June 2017, Parth’s very first day at school.
We dressed him neatly in his new uniform. His tiffin was packed, his bag was ready, and we tried to capture a few photos of the big moment. As parents, we felt both excitement and nervousness. Our little boy was stepping into the world outside our home for the very first time. What gave us comfort was knowing that his elder sister studied in the same school, she would be nearby, a familiar face under the same roof.
But for Parth, it wasn’t easy. He wasn’t ready to stay alone in the classroom. The new faces, the sounds, the unfamiliar space, it was overwhelming. He clung tightly to his mother, refusing to let go. Finally, his mom stayed inside the classroom with him for those first few days, giving him comfort and the courage to try.
After some time, when it became clear that he still wasn’t comfortable being left alone, the school allowed his mother to wait in the school’s waiting room. Every time Parth cried in the middle of class, his teacher would call her, and she would come in to calm him down, hold him, and help him return to the group.
These months were difficult but also important. We realized that Parth needed extra support to manage school life. That’s when we made the decision to bring in a shadow teacher, someone who could sit beside him in class, guide him gently, and help him learn at his own pace.
Looking back, that first day was a mixture of tears, courage, and love. It was also the beginning of an important truth we would carry forward: Parth could do it, but he needed the right support. And with patience, understanding, and a helping hand, he would find his way.