The Rollings

An attempt to preserve the moment and celebrate family ~Heather

Friday, March 4, 2011

Pre-School...the Band Aid Effect

I've watched several friends and family go through the emotions of sending their child to pre-school and I've frequently worried that this would be something that eventually sends me straight over the edge. I can never find enough time to enjoy this "baby" phase. Our situation, however, was comparable to the band-aid effect. Which might be a good thing?

Our sweet sitter had to have sudden surgery, leaving us little time to find a plan B for the duration of 4-6 weeks. After lots of searching/begging Winthrop students to take our children and nothing working out, we decided to contact the pre-school we were hoping to send him in the fall. Amazingly, they had a spot open in their toddler room. We got the callback on Friday, and started Monday. Leaving this emotional mom only 48 hours to stress/obsess about her baby not being such a baby anymore.

Winn is a good bit younger than the other kids in his group. He was still taking 2 very consistent naps, and in the comfort of a crib with sound machine, glow worm, blanket, etc. So you moms can imagine the transition to 1 nap, on a mat, with other children in the room. The first few weeks were hard. I won't sugar coat it. Winn came home for a while very tired, irritable, and frustrated. He was often sad, and super clingy to me making me seriously question our decision.

However, these last few days I'm seeing some light in our toddler tunnel and it makes me very hopeful! He didn't cry at drop off on Friday and happily showed me around his school when I picked him up. And the big, sweet kisses he greets me with is re-assurance that things might be on the up and up!

I couldn't be more grateful for the caring, loving teachers at School Days that have accepted my boy with open hearts and patient souls. Knowing he is happy, learning, growing and playing (hard!) makes me a better wife, teacher, and mom! Everything happens for a reason. I can't help but wonder if God knew the anticipation and summer's worth of anxiety might have been to much for this momma. Either way, I'll take the band-aid effect on this one.

Sitting outside my new "school". No more tears here!!

Working on my new skills :)

Who's daddy won't let him play with ovens??

First day, Valentine's treats for class. Teacher friends would be proud...not one piece of candy included in these puppies!

That's a proud boy right there. And I couldn't be a more proud momma!

3 comments:

Roxanne said...

How I wish I could have been that band-aid you needed so badly! I have worried so much about our little guy having to be such a big guy so quickly this year, and I am very happy to hear that he is adjusting. Trying to make the right decisioins for your children is the hardest thing you will ever do in life, Punkin, but I know you, and I know you and Chap together will ALWAYS make the best decisions for our little guy! He is so very lucky to have such loving and caring parents, and whatever decisions you make, that child will turn out to be more than OK! Love you guys and can't wait to see you again! His Gigi misses him and his mommy terribly!

Amber said...

Glad things are getting better. It does get easier!

Katherine said...

I still can't believe he's in school already!! I still feel bad every time I leave S in the stay-and-play at the gym or the nursery at church. You're one tough mama! So glad he's loving it--I'm sure that makes it much easier.