So… remember my post about how well it went the first day of Preschool? Well, I wish I could say its been smooth sailing since, but it hasn’t. She was great the first two days and shed no tears, so my fear that the first day might’ve been a fluke seemed unfounded. Then the third day rolled around, and it was a whole different story…
We walked into the preschool hand-in-hand without issue. She even started admiring the colorful walls and had no problem carrying her lunchbox into the school all by herself. I was in good spirits, thinking this was going to be another good day.
Then we got to the entrance of the classroom, and she clung to the doorframe and kept repeating, “no no no no!”. Uh-oh. Instead of leading her in by the hand, I had to pick her up and carry her through the door. She held onto me for dear life and burrowed her face into my shoulder. Following the school’s suggestion, I gave her a quick hug and tried to make my goodbyes short and sweet. I left her with a heavy heart, as I turned away from the tears trickling down her innocent face.
After nearly two years of this parenting thing, watching my child in pain hasn’t gotten any easier, and I suspect it doesn’t ever get easier; but refraining from running and saving her from every new challenge is something I know I must do.
To my sweet, sweet girl – you’re growing up and I can’t keep up. And though I want with all my heart to protect you from life’s most difficult moments, I also know character is built upon layers of struggle and yes, even defeat. So don’t be discouraged darling, by this new transition. It is the start of something wonderful and new – you’ll see…
blogger / persimmon / 1220 posts
It’s heart wrenching, isn’t it? Watching them grow?
pomegranate / 3503 posts
I experienced the same thing on the second week of school with my son. Last Thursday, I had to pry him off of my leg to leave. I heard him cry “mama, mama”. I thought I had broken his spirit. I ended up sending a frantic email to the head of early childhood education at the school that morning just for console. I went to pick him up with a heavy heart that afternoon. But he ended up doing really well. He stopped crying a few minutes after I left and even said on his own “miles happy, no more sad”. Things have been better this week. Hope it gets better for your little girl as well! Parenting is not for the faint of heart!
honeydew / 7968 posts
Your note brought tears to my eyes. They grow up so fast. Sigh.
pomelo / 5178 posts
Ah she sucks her fingers just like my little sister!
It is so, so hard to leave them l;ike that. I hate it, even though I know it’s necessary sometimes.
hostess / wonderful watermelon / 39513 posts
So sad!
hostess / wonderful honeydew / 32460 posts
So sad!
hope it’s gotten better since!
blogger / pineapple / 12381 posts
We have the same carseat
You went through what is called the “school honeymoon”. She’s being so developmentally normal. It means she’s beautifully bonded to you and in a couple weeks drop off will be a quick “Bye mama!” This summer when we were going through the same thing, I would sit outside the school in my car with tears welling up until I could see her doing ok in the play yard.
Today, Lala didn’t even want to come home from school. What a difference a couple of months makes!
blogger / eggplant / 11551 posts
@mrs. jacks – i’m so glad we have a pediatrician in our midst… your advice is always so reassuring. thank you
i look forward to the day when she is having so much fun that she doesn’t want to come home, but i’m sure even that will be bittersweet. le sigh.
blogger / eggplant / 11551 posts
@chopsuey119 – so after the first week of preschool, she got SICK!! so we kept her home the entire second week… and just this past week she’s finally going back… so she’s only been in school for 5 days (today is day 5) out of the month of september! she cried when i dropped her off today too, so i’m hoping it gets better in a couple months. she comes home so exhausted too bc i don’t think she’s napping very well over there.
pea / 19 posts
I am bawling. It is so, so hard to turn away from their tears, isn’t it?
persimmon / 1255 posts
My LO is 22 months and started day care about 1 month ago. The first 2 days were great, she was all smiles. But then I think she realized that this was not a temporary situation and started bawling the minute we pulled up into the daycare parking lot. She was clingy and crying for another week and a half before she started to really enjoy the new routine. Now she leaves me at the door to go play with barely a backward glance when I drop her off.
Hang in there, things will be better.
blogger / eggplant / 11551 posts
@red – thanks for sharing your experience! my other mom friend said the same thing about how the first few days seem exciting and new, but after that they come to realize that this is a permanent, daily change and they start to resist/fight it. that’s great your LO is enjoying her time there now – i’m really looking forward to that day!