So Long, Mommy!

The kiddo goes to preschool twice a week. He has adjusted really well, usually waving goodbye to me and going off to play when I drop him off. When I pick him up, he always lights up to see me which is immensely warming to me. The teacher says that during the day he is one of a pack of four boys that plays together. Last class, she told me that he started a game of chase with Che (who I mentioned in a previous post) as soon as the parents left -- she said they were just squealing. I am so glad to know that he has buddies at school, inasmuch as someone under the age of two has friends. I'm glad that I made the decision not to take him out of school: A few weeks ago we got a call from the preschool where Zeke got put on the waitlist for lack of space. A space opened up and I appreciate everything the other school has to offer, but I thought it was a little late in the year to ask our little school boy to make a transition like that.

Anyway, there is a "Mom's Morning Out" program associated with Zeke's preschool that operates on days when he is not in school. I wanted a little extra time today due to a backlog of consulting work and housework and being a little under the weather with a cold. I was nervous to drop him off -- Zeke is very independent, curious and friendly, but he can be a little clingy in new situations. The program is across the courtyard from Zeke's class in a giant room with parents and children he doesn't know, but the school director told me yesterday that she would check on Zeke regularly and let him stay with his regular teachers if he was not adjusting. I dropped him off and he momentarily did start playing. Then when he realized I was leaving, he started crying.

When I came to pick him up, you would not have believed he was the same child I had left! The two parents who watch the children said he cried for 10 minutes and then was an angel for the rest of the day. He actually REFUSED to leave the playroom when it was time to go. They had even turned off the lights and were at the door before I could get him out of there. Then, I couldn't get him to leave the yard and playground! He even went to say goodbye to his regular teachers across the way. I wasn't pushing him too hard, but it took me almost 30 minutes to get him into his car seat. It was really all beyond my expectations!

I have been resistant to the idea of Zeke being away from me any more than the eight hours a week he is at "play"school. Recently someone has been trying to convince me to take on more work and I thought about it, but I just couldn't imagine dropping Zeke off with someone everyday. He had such a good time away from me today though, I wonder if he wouldn't be happier for it!