Tuesday, August 17, 2010

First Day of School

Monday began a new chapter in Caleb's life.  We were very blessed and fortunate to have a wonderful mommy, teacher, & friend take care of our little boy for the past year and a half of his life.  But unfortunately like all good things, it came to an end.  Ms. Mandy was a huge blessing in our lives and Caleb truly learned a great deal from her... not taking him to her house Monday morning ripped me apart and gave me so many fears about putting him back in daycare.  Who was going to hold him when he was sick or hurt?  Would he have nutritional meals like Ms. Mandy prepared?  Would he learn new things like he did every day with her?  Would someone be emailing me sweet pictures of my little man and the fun things he was doing at school like Mandy did?  Normally I'm not a picky person, but when you've had the greatest taking care of your kid for so long... it's hard to feel anyone will do better.  So not only did Caleb's whole world get turned upside down Monday, mine did too.  This is how our morning started...

Definitely not off to the best of starts and it really didn't get much better after this!  He was such a bear Monday morning and was very difficult to get ready for his first day of school.

Even with the sad pouty face I must say he was still incredibly adorable in his new outfit!  He definitely was not a happy camper though about going to school.  So I tried to get him to take a picture with me on his first day of school and this is the best we came up with.

Yes it's a smile, but that smile didn't last long.  Caleb had a really hard time understanding that he wasn't going to Ms. Mandy's house and when we pulled up to daycare it was not an easy task to leave my screaming child with a complete stranger.  It broke my heart to hear my little guy screaming for me as I walked away, but as a Kindergarten teacher I knew I couldn't stay because it would just make it worse.  All day I worried about it... this was new to me too because with Ms. Mandy there was not a single day where I worried about him, I knew he was in good hands.  So when 3:00 rolled around I bailed out of school as fast as i could and headed to pick him up.  As I walked to into his room he was underneath a table, playing by himself, and as soon as he saw me he ran to me hugged me real tight and said, "Let's go home Mom."  I then find out from his teachers that he had a hard day... *sigh*
I hoping he will adjust to his new place, if not I might be calling Ms. Mandy and offering her double of what we paid last year!! :(

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hang in there friend! You know it will take time for him to adjust. This is harder on you than him! This too shall pass and all will be fine. I promise!

Brantley Family said...

so sorry to hear that Caleb had a rough day. I'm worried about Sam going to the pre-k as well even though I'll be right down the hall! I'll say a prayer for him this week and hope he adjusts quickly as his week progresses!!

Mandy said...

This breaks my heart, Jenn. You know it does!! I'm so touched by your kind words! Caleb is going to do well---give him some time to adjust. And if he doesn't, then follow your instincts and don't be afraid to be the "crazy mom." I don't know if it'll com to that, but I'm just saying...
I love little Caleb and I wish him (and you guys) the best!!