Big Kid School

Uppercase. Proper noun. Big. Kid. School.

We made a decision to find Mathilda a new school (daycare) for a few reasons. In no particular order: 1. we were unhappy with the food at her current daycare. Lunches were fried or butter-laden and snacks consisted more of oreos and other creme-filled cookies than fresh fruits or veggies. We were sick of sending alternatives, and Tilly was sick of being singled out (try telling a 2 year old they get an apple instead of an oreo. Just try.) 2. snow days- her daycare followed the public school snow calendar. This year we had 2 closures, 3 late starts, and 1 early dismissal. Not cool. 3. The future. We wanted a bit more out of a preschool program than was offered at her current place. 

We found a daycare associated with my job that fulfilled all of the above needs and more (it even has a kindergarten program!). I was super excited. We called it "big kid school" and amped her up by getting her an awesome doggie backpack, and taking her there to play with us a few times in the weeks before she transferred. We were totally incredible, pro-active parents, and our kid would transition no problem, right?

Ha ha ha ha!

First, it was surprisingly hard leaving her old school and her old friends. She kept asking if Tyler or Dey'on would be at her new school too. Pang. Also, Reg and I really like the parents at that daycare and don't know anyone from her class at the new place. New kid problems for all. 

Goodbye sign from daycare. So sweet!

Much to our surprise, the first day went well! She was outfitted with her new backpack and first day of school skinny jeans (come on, you remember how you'd pick out your first day outfit for weeks before! I remember agonizing over a particular pair of denim shorts overalls in 6th grade....).

that face says excited, right?

We dropped her off without incident. Then learned she cried about 30min later. When I picked her up she said to me (direct quote): "I cried for mommy. Don't cry friends, it's ok." BUT her new teachers made her an awesome first day of school poster, too!

Day 2. Same as the first. She came home excitedly talking about the gym, ladybugs, snack (orange! hard boiled egg!) and making butterfly art projects. The theme of the month is all about health, so they are planting vegetables in a garden, and learning about eating colorful foods (I'm in love!)

Day 3. Uh. Oh. Tears. Leg holding. Tears. Heart breaking. I know she is sensitive and transitions are always hard, but she has never been able to articulate her distrust, and sadness so well before now. It's a lot harder to leave your child when she says, "NO big kid school! NO SCHOOL! I wanna eat bouillie (oatmeal) at home with Daddy!" That night she wouldn't go to bed, then wouldn't let me leave her room. The next morning she told me, "I cry for my mommy. But mommy always comes back?" Oh gosh. 

Day 4-5. Tears. Then the weekend. We got a llama llama book about being scared at school. She cried when we read it. We persisted. School is fun! Its ok to miss mommy! Mommy misses you too! Normal! sigh.

Day 6: Monday. She was hesitant in the parking lot, so we talked about the llama. She told me, "It's ok llama, don't cry, mama comes back." Then she kissed and hugged me and let me leave. No tears. No smiles, but no tears. 

Transitions are tough, and maybe more so for a little bear cub who is extraordinarily good at expressing herself, but wary of jumping into new situations or new people. How many other 2 year olds have you heard say, "those kids are too big for me" (direct quote) at the playground, or who pull themselves away to read a book when the group gets too rambunctuous? Obviously she can't attend her first daycare through college (or grad school!) I just wish it was a little easier on her. And maybe on her parents, too.