Your Kiddo Doesn't Like Preschool? Give It Time!

This is my 'oh how sweet it is-my son loves preschool' post. If you read my post back in August after Luke's second day of preschool, you'd see the beauty in that line.  My son LOVES preschool!

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.

"I know honey, I'm so proud of you! Your teachers are so happy with you!"

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.  

Why I Left Preschool Crying...

This was going to be my “oh how sweet it is-my son just started preschool" post. That’s exactly what it would’ve read like if I had posted yesterday…like I had planned. During a very relaxing birthday lunch with my youngest son, Zealand, I decided I would ask Trina to switch days with me – and she did!  After picking up my Luke today, however, I have a different experience to write about.

Trina wrote about the grandiose visions of our children that we have in our minds in her post Unreasonable Expectations. Our kid will be the perfect one…they are the best, after all. On Monday night, I was filling out his preschool information sheet.  One of the questions asked “What do you feel your child does really well at?” Why, everything, of course. I mean, he’s outgoing, smart, compassionate, helpful, etc. I even mentioned they could pair up a shy student with him because he has leadership potential and his kind heart will let that other child know he really cares.

When I dropped him off that very first morning, he practically escorted me out of the room.  I promised I’d be back after quiet time to pick him up and he just waved “bye” with a excited smile on his face. When I came back to pick him up, right at two, he ran to my arms beaming. The teacher’s assistant came up to me and exclaimed how much fun Luke was and how sweet.  His daily sheet even said - and I quote - "MY OVERALL DAY WAS - with the following handwritten WONDERFUL!"  I was so proud!  We went out to celebrate his great behavior with some ice cream.

This morning when he found out he was going back to school, he threw his clothes on and was ready to walk out the door an hour before we had to leave.  Again, I kissed him good-bye and he scampered off to play with his classmates. 

At 2pm, I walked into his classroom.  His teacher smiled a soft smile and tired eyes.

I asked with a smile, “how was Luke today?” I knew the answer would be pretty much the same as yesterday. But, to my shock and dismay, she said, “he did better today.”  Better than fun and sweet and wonderful??

“What?” I asked. “I thought he did well yesterday.”

“Well, he had problems at naptime. He didn’t want to sleep and he wouldn’t sit still. He screams for you so loud he was disturbing the other classes.”

What??!!! My Luke?!

Seeing the tears form in my eyes, my face flushed, she reassured, “This is just the second day!  Don’t worry! We’ll get there!” She placed her hand on my shoulder.

I took my boys home, crying the whole way and wondering where I went wrong as a mom. Clueless as to how I could fix it.

Thank goodness for friends with older kids who have been through these experiences and witnessed their children growing up just fine. I’ve calmed down a bit and I’m ready to take this challenge for my boy who is a good boy! Just like all of us, he’s got some lessons to learn…and so do I!

A Mommy’s School Bus Jitters

Originally Posted 8/11/11

If you're a mom about to bid adieu to your little one as they climb aboard that big yellow heartbreaker for the very first time, I wish you well.  I have no idea what it’s actually going to be like watching my son get on the bus to head to Kindergarten for the first time, but I do know it’s not going to be easy if I’m crying about it now and he’s only 21 months old. 

We read a few books every night at bedtime, and lately, our favorite book has been “Best Baby Ever” by David Milgrim.  In it, the parents are mesmerized as their baby grows from his first smile until ultimately, they watch him get on the school bus for the very first time with tears in their eyes.  I’m telling you, I’ve read this book probably every night at least once, for the last couple of months.  Yet, tonight, I couldn’t hold it back.  It seems like just yesterday when I had my little 7 lb 7 oz newborn baby boy.  He’s already grown so fast and if time continues to fly like this, I’ll soon be watching a five-year-old get on the bus.

My voice starts to shake as I continue to read this particular night; but I toughen up and tell the story until the end without my son noticing my voice choking up.  I conclude as I wipe the tears from my face that Kindergarten is a long way off, and I’m going to enjoy every single minute with my baby until then.  But, really, I know it's just right around the corner...on the corner some of you'll be standing on this month. 

In so many ways we can't wait to see our children grow into the people they are going to be; yet we want to keep them little.  Hug your little Kindergartner before they get on that bus and enjoy that moment for what it is.  A milestone.  A treasured memory.  And if you find yourself lost in a quiet house, go treat yourself to a hot stone massage!

Parent Teacher Conference

Your child is a very strong leader.

When I went to meet with Callie's preschool teacher, I wasn't exactly sure what to expect.  Her being my first child, I was ready for anything.

With love and guidance, her spunk for life is going to take her far.

I can't exactly speak for other parents, but I know for me, there's nothing I want more than for my child to be a leader.

She has a way of negotiating with the other children, it's a give and take, and while she does know how to get her way- she also knows how to correspond and share, building friendships and communicating in a positive way.


It's important to me that she cares for other children, and doesn't use her leadership skills to be the mean girl, but more to care for others and teach others how to be caring.  While I was popular in school and also a leader, I've always cared about how other people felt and what they thought.  Being a strong and determined person doesn't mean you have to be in charge all the time or bossy.  The best leaders in my opinion are the ones who want to not only help themselves, but see other people happy as well and have a means of getting their way without anyone even knowing it.

Callie is unique in that most children begin writing with capital letters because they are easy. Small letters are harder to write as they take more control.  Callie writes her name with a capitol C, and the remaining letters lowercase, which shows me she's going to be ahead of the game in kindergarten.  As she shows interest in things, that's the best time to teach them.  


I thought about all the times I'd felt guilty for not working with her for hours on end, or pushed education to the point we both hated it.  Why do we do this to ourselves?  Our children will be just fine, and we're likely wonderful mothers who do plenty, and our kids will thrive.

It's important to do things with your child other than stick a work book in front of her.  Cook in the morning, let her crack the eggs and mix the pancakes.  Check.  Read to her everyday. Check.  Love her.  Double check.  I'm not completely inept as a parent!  Hooray!

I see very few children like Callie.  She's not only going to be a leader, she's got a zest for life that infects everyone around her.  She amazes me everyday.

We ended the meeting with the teacher telling me about her daughter, also a very strong-willed, determined little girl.  She said she'd spanked her nearly every day of her life until she was four (which, made me feel better because she seems like super-mom and the type not to spank.  Callie doesn't respond to time-out like she does to spanking).  She said she kept setting guidelines, and her daughter was stubborn enough to test them every time.  But eventually, she grew up to be a very successful young woman who loves and honors her mother.  Coincidentally, she stopped by while I was there to bring her mom coffee.  I smiled in glee, what a fabulous young woman she was.  And their relationship was clearly admirable...

I walked to my car with a gigantic smile on my face.  The meeting was a success. I know we'll hit hurdles and road bumps...but I know I've done one thing right.  Thus far, I've raised a confident, exuberant little girl who's going to take on this world like it's nobody's business.  Callie, I'm proud of you my love!