Will is in daycare right now. This is day two. The first day was 5 days ago as we are currently doing 2 hours on Mondays and Wednesdays. The first time he integrated nicely. He tooled around and checked things out and casually called out “mama?” while I was in the other room. I answered back casually and he continued to play. Then, I slipped out.

Later I was told that he did fine until the day care assistant showed up and the main teacher went to go make snack for snack time. He had not met this assistant before so he became unsettled and cried for about 15-20 minutes.

At snack-time they read “Brown Bear, Brown Bear” and Will settled down and became engaged in the story and the social interaction. He did not eat, however. (Will and I have been reading Brown Bear a bit at home lately so, it was a nice familiarity. He can now read most of the book TO me.)

Today… when I left Will… he cried. He cried big, he cried loud, he clung, he said, “no!”. Teacher took him in her arms and I left saying “Mama will be back. See you later, Will.”

Before I let him go I told him where I would put his shoes and that when I come back to pick him up I will help him put them on.
I told him about all his favorite things that we brought and where they were and how he could show them to the kids or have Teacher read him his favorite construction book. I began to linger too long and I knew it. Teacher was at my side starting to reach for him. Will writhed a bit and I felt my control physically and (mostly) emotionally beginning to crumble. I told Teacher: This is hard for me. She took Will with confidence and a quiet patience and caring.

So, as he cried and protested with his eyes shut tight because it was too much for his little body and mind to bear I went out the door with my loving, upbeat goodbyes.

Last week, Teacher’s husband re-affirmed that a quick goodbye is the best for everyone. I hated to hear it again but knew he was right so I tried to do it the best I could do it today.

As I was writing this, Teacher called me. (We had previously agreed that she would call me about a half hour before I was due to pick him up to see how he was doing. If he did well we would extend his stay.) The report: things were going well! Yaay, Will! So, he will stay an extra half hour.

Side note:
We are testing the waters for everyone by doing 2 hours chunks but plan to go to at least a full half day on Monday/Wednesdays until the end of August when she will be full up. That will probably be about the right time for Will to enter a preschool anyway.

Well, I should actually try and get some work done that will make me some money.