From Friday Mom – Jaime:
Andrew has done remarkably well adjusting to his new daycare. Even the directors looked at him after a couple weeks and said it was like Andrew had always been there, he was so comfortable and everyone loved him so much…
Last week, they started transitioning Andrew into the pre-k classroom, which they call “the squirrels.” (Every room is a different woodland animal – don’t ask – he used to be in the robin’s roost). He did awesome. He was excited to be a squirrel. They have computers. And a bigger room. Cool marble toys. “Funner” books. “Gooder” costumes for playing dress up.
Monday morning went off without a hitch. He did great his first full day in the new room. Monday night, Andrew started whimpering that his tummy hurt. As you may remember, this is his go-to excuse for just about everything he doesn’t want to do. Sleep. Go to school. Stop playing. Watching something other than cartoons. It all makes his belly hurt.
The next morning, he started in with “my tummy hurts” again. He was lobbying – HARD – to stay home from school. He even, all too readily, agreed that he would stay in bed all day since he wasn’t feeling well.
I looked at him carefully, kissed his forehead to make sure he wasn’t running a fever, and asked if he was just freaked out about being in a new classroom. I don’t know what made me ask, but the next thing I know, I have a hysterical Andrew draped over me, sobbing into my neck. “Mommy! I want to stay a robin bird!”
My heart broke a little with his confession. I did my best to tell him it would be okay. But he wouldn’t get into the car until I promised to pick him up early, gave him 4 extra hugs and kisses, and told him he could stop by the robins to say hello to everyone in there.
Andrew has been a little extra clingy this week. Drop offs have been a little longer. But each day has gotten a little easier. He’s still pretending like he has a tummy ache each morning. And tonight he confessed that he’s still nervous about being a squirrel, but it’s not *quite* as bad now.
Change is hard. It’s difficult for us as adults. It’s even harder for our kids. But the good news is that they seem to adjust better than we do.