The Worries of a Five Year Old

This mornings conversation over breakfast was too cute not to record! Gavin noticed the "coupon" on the Cheerios Box so I started explaining what Box Tops for Education are. That lead into our conversation of starting Kindergarten and what school will be like:

Gavin: But who will I give the Box Tops to?
Me: I don't know. We'll have to find that out. Maybe your teacher, or your principal

Gavin: Whoa! Whoa, whoa, wait! - Who is the principal
Me: The principal is the person in charge of the whole school. When you start kindergarten it will be different than preschool. There won't just be other kindergarteners there, but 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders too. Your class will be just kindergarteners, but there'll be lots of other classes with older kids.

Gavin: BUT THAT'S ALOT OF KIDS! How will I know where to go if I can't read the sign that says Kindergarten Class? I might get lost! (with tears in his eyes)
Me: Don't worry, we're not just going to drop you off and leave. On the first day we'll go into your class with you, and we'll make sure you know where to go.

Gavin: When I'm bigger will I go by myself?
Me: Probably. I used to walk to school by myself when I was a bit older than you.

Gavin: (More tears welling up in his eyes) But I'll never be able to! I'm too afraid! I have to cross the big street and even when I'm as big as you I'll never be brave enough to cross the road!! (starting to cry)
Me: You won't have to cross the street. There's the school tunnel that goes under the busy road.

Gavin: (tears gone and excited) You mean the STINKY tunnel!?
Me: (laughing) What? Is that what the big kids call it?

Gavin: (looking worried again) But what if a giant ZOMBIE truck drives over the road and crashes the tunnel!
Me: I think the tunnel is strong enough for big trucks to drive over. And if there really are zombies we probably wouldn't go to school anyways! We'd lock the doors and stay home!

Gavin: (imitating a giant zombie) But zombies are strong enough to PUNCH our door down and get us! (looking worried again)
Me: Then you'll have to get on your Superman cape and protect us! (Gavin wants to be a super hero when he grows up)

Gavin: (full on crying) But I CAN'T!!!! I still don't know how to fly for real! And I don't know how to float in space like astronauts either! (more crying). And I'll NEVER have my own jet pack! So the zombies will get us and I just don't know what I can do!!!!

Well that conversation took an unexpected turn. I know it's been a few years, but as I recall my biggest fears of starting Kindergarten were of meeting new kids, being in a new environment, and missing my Mom. With how social Gavin is none of those thoughts even crossed his mind. Only worries of how he's going to save the world when the giant zombies attack! Gosh I love my social and imaginative five year old!