Like many of you, I'm still shocked that when we have children, we're actually allowed to take them home from the hospital without any formal training. I've talked to other moms and I know they've felt the same way.

What? You're entrusting the care of this little tiny newborn to me? But I've never done this before!!!

And then you go on to have baby #2 or baby #3 and you boost your confidence and wonder how you ever doubted yourself as a mother. Or something like that.

But I stopped at baby #1. I'm still figuring it out as I go. And as I learn from my mistakes, I don't really get a chance to correct them. I don't have any other kids that allow me to get it right. I've got a one shot deal.

I think I've gotten a lot of it right. I don't necessarily credit myself with that. I've got a bright, beautiful little boy. He's gentle and kind and loving and curious about the world around him. And I couldn't be prouder. But he stays up too late and eats too many sweets and watches more TV that I would care to admit publicly.

We're working on it.

I'm still figuring it out as I go and now I'm being thrust well beyond my comfort zone.

HE'S GOING TO KINDERGARTEN!!!

Imagine that I just said that out loud in my best freaking out voice. Because, yeah, I'm freaking out. Evan is actually taking it in stride. He was terrified of the idea of kindergarten but he's gotten to know a few kids. He's met one of the teachers. He's had popsicles with the principal. And now, he's looking forward to it.

BUT I'M STILL FREAKING OUT!

It's been a couple decades since I was personally involved with the public school system and even then, it was as a student, not as a parent. I just carried the boring papers and forms home to my mom. I didn't actually have to read them or understand them.

Times have changes. I'm the mom now. I'm expected to be knowledgable and responsible and I'm scared to death.

Kindergarten assessment? I almost missed it because I forgot to turn in one piece of paper to get Evan fully registered.

Bus schedule? I have it. I'm still not sure I entirely understand it.

School supplies? I have a list of everything I'm supposed to buy. I'm kind of excited about that.

Open House? Yes, it's coming up next week. There's a new student orientation and an open house and a PTA social and volunteer training and "Back to School" night. All on the same day. I don't even know what any of that is!

School pictures, school lunches, absences, permission slips, conferences...

I feel like they've missed something: School orientation for the moms of kindergartners.

I need someone to hold my hand and walk me through the process so I'm not that mom. The one that forgets it's picture day or sends him in the wrong shoes or misses the field trip.

I need an orientation and maybe a glass of wine.

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Am I the only one that feels a certain sense of panic about the very first day of the very first year of school? Let's commiserate.