Not surprisingly, BOY's reality has set in. He's suddenly aware that he is going to a new school. And that he's there to stay. It is a usual pattern for him. His sense of adventure and curiosity about new places carries him for a few weeks, and then once the routine is established...he looks around and is a little thrown by what he takes inside himself. This time he is dealing with separation anxiety from me, and I think from GIRL. E has been home more, so he may be thinking we're all having fun at home while he goes off to school.
It's been challenging to get him up for school in the morning. Naturally a morning person, and until the last few months the first one to wake up, now he can sleep in until 7 or 7:30am. The bus arrives at 6:55am.... So, I have to get him awake, dressed and fed by that time. It is slightly torturous. Luckily, him being a morning person, makes it easier. Once he's up, he's up and moving. But, I don't enjoy feeling like I have an electric cow prod in hand for the first 15 minutes...
The wonder of the bus has worn off a bit. Yesterday he didn't want to go to school or ride the bus. So, I compromised by driving him to school, and once he saw his friends and his teachers he was fine. When I picked him up, his teachers said that he had a great day. An art teacher comes on Tuesdays to the class, and they made a collage with feathers, twigs and pom poms. Of course, when he saw his friends getting on the bus to go home, THEN he wanted to ride the bus. So, I talked to him about how he couldn't do that this time, as he had made the decision to not ride the bus that day. He took it in, pretty well, but was really disappointed. I took that as a positive sign, because he once again wanted to ride the bus.
This morning was less difficult, but he did express that he didn't want to go to school and be away from me. I emphasized the fun he has chatting with Miss Anita, the morning bus driver, and that his friends were really looking forward to seeing him. They missed him yesterday! Miss Anita is one of those wonderful warm and cozy kind of people. She really enjoys BOY, and was surprised by this new change in BOY's reluctance to ride the bus. BOY brings a stuffed animal, and as of this week, his special blanket aboard the bus. When he gets to school, he puts everything in his back pack. Miss Anita encourages this, so that BOY feels supported. He will decide in his own time, when he is ready to leave his security objects at home.
I feel confident that we are just going through a phase right now with BOY. Whenever I ask him about his time at school, he always describes it as "GREAT!" He didn't do that before at his previous schools - describe his mornings as GREAT. It feels like it is going to be a good fit. I am happy that he has been able to express himself emotionally, in words, with what is going on with him. He's been able to talk about feeling scared, his tummy hurting, missing his friends from his previous preschool, and missing me. Although it is emotionally hard for me to see him uncomfortable, I do know that talking through this and following through is important. Life is often uncomfortable, and I don't want to overprotect him. However... All true adventurers need to occasionally anchor their ships. And to come out of life's stormy seas. When my little adventurer sails back in, I plan to provide a safe harbor...
***"Sailing Ship in a Storm" by Robert Kimball.
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