School

Charlotte's first day of school pictures were delayed because it had rained all that week and I could not get a good picture. So, I won't call these 1st day of school pics, but just - school pictures.

sorry for the poor quality, it's from my phone

She is going back to the same school she went to last year, but also, she's alternating her days with Spanish School (4 days total).

Let me just start by saying the first week was a breeze. I wish that I could just end there, but as every parent knows, that's not the whole story.

It began to change during the 2nd week......

At first, she would say, "I don't want to go to Spanish School, I want to go to ____ School". And she would continue saying that the "whole" 1 mile drive it takes to get there. As expected, she'd cry when I dropped her off but the crying was more of a wimper, at first. By having experienced this behavior in the past, I knew that she would quickly adapt to the classroom and begin playing with her friends as soon as I left.

She was not upset on the days she went to ______ School. She would walk into the room proudly and begin playing, hardly looking back to say bye. I knew she was familiar with that school and the friends she had met the previous year. But again, my story doesn't stop there. Last week, she began crying at drop off there too.

Two words can sum up my feelings: Guilt and Doubt

I began feeling guilty every morning preparing for drop off. I would think, "why am I doing this to my 2 1/2 year old?" Wanting to cover my eyes as I walk away from the classroom with screams that echo down the hall. And doubting the decision of 2 different schools, one of which is very new and different, Spanish.

This week when we went to Spanish, as I was signing her in, she ran into the bathroom and hid. AAAHHHHH! This situation had now just escalated to new heights. As I was trying to comfort her in the bathroom, assuring her that "mommy will be back soon" and "you'll have lots of fun playing with your friends", she grabbed on to me so tightly and cried, "mommy, don't leave!"

Talk about pulling out her ace card. I left there in tears and quickly called Justin. We decided that afternoon, no more Spanish School for now. And wrote an email to the director to state why we thought 4 days of school for our 2 1/2 year old was too much. But......yet again, there's more to the story.

After witnessing a similar behavior at _____ School yesterday and also last night when getting her ready for bath time, we've decided that this is a developmental phase and not to change anything at this time. We're going to continue to evaluate the situation and, of course, continue to shower her with love and affirmation that "mommy will be back soon" AND PRAY that this situation resolves quickly.

Also, I do need to say, that at both places, the teachers did confirm that soon after I left she was playing with friends and participating in the activities. Both places, also said what a joy Charlotte is to the classroom and very sweet, energetic, and smart. And at pick up time, she is happy and very proud to show me what she created each day.

Oh my sweet Charlotte!

p.s. parenting is tough; where o'where is the crystal ball?