You see, this is a tale of IT DOES GET BETTER. That afternoon mid-summer, was followed by a few weeks of him screaming and crying in the morning begging to stay home because he just didn't like preschool. They won't let me do everything I want to there! Astonishing as it may be for a 3-year-old to get used to having to obey anyone besides his parents. They're making me sleep!
I called my mom and my closest friends. Most assured me that if we just stick with it and were firm about the fact that preschool is a part of his life and there was no way he was getting out of it. Some mentioned how he was just testing us to see if he could get his way and stay home. A couple tried to convince me that Luke would never nap at school and maybe we should just throw in the towel until Kindergarten.
And, trust me, there were a few morning where his whining would hit a nerve and I'd question paying $295/month just to have him hate it. But, I stuck with it and after four days off, he woke up one morning and asked if he got to go to preschool today. I answered that he didn't, but he would return the next day - a Tuesday. He squealed with delight. "Yay! I can't wait to see all of my friends!!"
Here we are four weeks later -
"Hi Leah!" his teacher greets me with her hands on my sons shoulders. "He was so good today, as usual! <<NOTE: as usual>> He's always the first to participate. He's so smart!"
I beam.
"And he is so loving. Just so kind to all of us and his classmates. Very social!" She continues.
I beam.
"Mommy, I was a good boy again, today!"
I beam. Then I hug him tightly.
The teacher's assistant adds, "and he laid down on his cot and before he knew it, he was fast asleep!"
"He napped, too!" I looked down at my son. He was beaming.
And home we went.
I know there will be plenty of ups and downs as he grows and our schedules change; but let this be a lesson to all of us that things really do change!
Be patient. Be hopeful. Be positive.
