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First day of "school"

Today K started his new daycare, a.k.a. "school" (they do have a preschool class, but he's in the Toddler II room right below that). We've been bringing him there to play a few times a week, just to get him used to it, and we've been talking to him about leaving Mrs. Daycare's house and going to school enough that I'm pretty sure he understood.

When we walked in, he took his coat off and started playing without a glance in my direction. I stuck around to ask questions, talk to the two teachers in his room, and label everything in the giant bag I brought. (At Mrs. Daycare's house I never had to label anything! And I didn't have to bring sippy cups, or bibs, or lunch, or wipes, or a sheet and blanket. Just diapers and a change of clothes.)

After a while I went over to give him a hug and say goodbye. He started wailing, "MOMMY, MOMMY!" and clutching my arm. The teachers were ignoring both of us. I tried not to prolong the departure too much, and with hugs and kisses and some attempt at comforting words, I headed out the door, leaving him sobbing.

As soon as I left, one of the teachers went over to calm him down and show him some toys. Happily distracted, he settled down into his new environment and even started to make some new friends.

At least that is what I hope happened. JW will get the report this afternoon.

I keep thinking about him, left in a new place with new people after a year and a half (that's three quarters of his life) spent going to the same house every day, with the same three women caring for him. I wonder whether he liked his lunch and how he handled napping on a mat and whether he cooperated for diaper changes. I wonder what he's doing and whether he'll be happy or upset at the end of the day. Will he be excited to go to school tomorrow, or will I have to wrestle him into the car and feel guilty that we made the wrong decision by switching him?

I really hope this is one of those transitions that's tougher for me than it is for him.

Update: First day was a success! He cried for a few more minutes after I left, but was happy the rest of the day and even napped on the mat for an hour and a half. Hooray!

Full post as published by Magic Cookie on April 06, 2009 (boomark / email).