Well, our second week of preschool wasn't quite as smooth as week one. And by "smooth" I mean pleasant. As predicted, at some point Nate was going to realize that this whole school thing is not a fleeting experience but one that happens week after week, and that point was last week.
Our regular schedule has Thad dropping Nate off on his way into work, and my picking him up in the afternoon (just after lunchtime for Nate's class). This turned out to be a very good deal for me, because Thad had the upset portion of the day, while I was greeted with a big hug. In fact, Nate said to us one dinnertime, "Mommy came and picked me up, but Daddy left me there." I like being the good cop for once!
The first rocky morning had a reasonable drop-off, but, according to the teachers, deteriorated pretty quickly. Nate kept insisting that he wanted his lunch box. The teachers thought he may have been hungry, so they offered goldfish, which he turned down (clearly, he must have been really upset if he turned down goldfish.) After a bit of back and forth, they realized that he wanted to eat lunch because we said I'd pick him up after lunch. Clever! The next couple of days were more tearful right off the back (since the lunch box ploy didn't pan out), and he actually chased Thad down the hallway one morning.
Each day he eventually calmed down and was able to play and participate, and we assume that the crankiness, like his happy start, will be fleeting. And, if not, we've only got 18-ish more years of school left (unless he follows in Thad's footsteps, in which case it would be closer to 28).
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3 comments:
score 1 for getting to be the good cop :)
If he'll do it, the push-Daddy/Mommy-out technique worked beautifully for us at that age. Basically, they give you a little push when it's time for you to go, and you go flying out the door (silly faces help). It gives them some sense of control over your leaving. Good luck! It will get better... XO
Oh, that's a good idea, Liz! Neva, he will get there--before you know it he'll be barely acknowledging Thad as he leaves, and Thad will be the one sticking around trying to get a goodbye hug out of him. :)
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