My little preschooler

This was a big week at our house ... Nola started preschool last Wednesday. Actually, this week was what they call separation day 1 & 2. The session is shorter than what will take place beginning next Monday, and the parents stay in the classroom. Day 1 was so so. Noli stayed near me the entire time -- until close to the end when she finally moved away to play with a dolly in a shopping cart. Miss Kim, her teacher, along with Miss Melissa and Miss Emily, tried to engage Noli at various times. While she stayed close to me, she didn't cry.

Day 2 (yesterday) was a completely different story. OH MY WORD. It was a horrible experience for both of us, but mostly for Nola, really. Yes, really. She did all she could to pull me, my arms, my hands, my fingers, out of that room. She clearly did not want to be there. At one point the teacher came and got her and walked a few steps towards the other side of the room. Noli had me in her sight the entire time and she just cried and cried. She was put down and could come to me, but chose to stay where she was while continuing to cry. I really tried hard to do my part and not say much. At that point, the teacher brought her over for me to comfort her. Well, she wasn't much in the mood for comforting.

Then we went for a walk out in the hallway where she continued to cry and look for the exit door to get out of that place. We walked for a bit, but kept checking back because we were gonna head back in for circle time and bubbles. Noli loves bubbles. So, time to go back in and we walk to the circle rug and sit down. There are only two moms in the circle (other moms were able to leave their children). The other little boy was a bit upset, but not nearly as much as Nola. So, we did a monkey finger play song with little monkeys. Nola grabbed the monkey and threw it down -- apparently still upset - ya, she was still crying for the most part.

Next, it was time to wash hands and have a snack. Well, that brought a smile. Afterall, we love clean hands ... and water :) So, we wait in line and in the meantime two little kiddos jump in front of Nola. Not a big deal really, but at this point every second counts since she could start screaming at any moment and to wait any longer for something that she likes (hand washing) is not a good idea. By the time we got to the sink, she had another meltdown. We headed to the table to sit down with the snack. She didn't want any part of it and wouldn't sit at the table.

Finally ... time for bubbles. Thank goodness. She saw the bubbles and decided she should head to the cirlcle to pop some bubbles. She took my hand and walked me over. Her smiles finally started to come out and she began to calm down enough to enjoy those last 3-5 min.

I just don't get it, though. She was happy and smiling on the way to school, even holding her backpack in the car. I felt so bad for her. I kept worrying that she might become traumatized. Finally, one of the other mom's came up to me to tell me her daughter was much worse -- not sure how that could be possible, but ok. Anyway, the teacher told me to plan on staying and/or hanging around on Monday. Really?? You think?? Ya, of course I plan to stay as long as she needs. This coming Monday is the real first full day from 9-12. Cross your fingers for us :)

Getting Ready - Day 1

here she is in front of her classroom door

Getting Ready - Day 2

don't I look cute?