Book Learning

Things are going pretty well at the new pre-school. Petra has tons of fun with all the activities, and is starting to make friends (she talks about them at home sometimes, which is a good sign). There are still some tears when she is dropped off in the morning, and a little clinging at pickup, but we're doing pretty good.

I don't know if it's related to the school or not, but we have a super reader! Well, she says "I'm just chatting," but it looks good!

Growth Spurt

Seems we are in the midst of another growth spurt. Petra said "I'm Hungry!" about every 40 minutes yesterday, which piqued our suspicions. We measured her and she's grown nearly an inch in the last month! This might explain some of the transitions difficulties as well, as the food is less frequent than she is used to at pre-school.

Today was the 4th day of transition, but in many ways was like starting all over again. A long weekend (lots of fun, museums, playing with friends, beach etc.) made her pretty much forget about the new school. She was pretty upbeat about it this morning though, and wasn't upset about going (and Dada taking her). I gave her lots of warning that I would be "going to a meeting" in a bit, but that didn't cut it when it was actually time for me to go (after her 2nd breakfast). There were big tears and clinging. I distracted her with a quick scavenger hunt to find the cots in the classroom, and then some sea-creatures bingo, and snuck off. I could hear her crying as I fetched my things from the car though, and that felt bad.

I spent the morning in the school conference room with another transitioning parent (child also in Petra's class) who was literally in tears several times about the transition, and who couldn't help but constantly go to peak into the classroom or play yard. I didn't get any work done, but I certainly feel better about myself as a parent of an independent girl!

Around 11, the teacher let me know that Petra had been OK, on and off sad, but easily distracted into new activities. Part of validating her feelings (one part of the 5 step conflict resolution method they use, and a phrase Petra has already picked up- "she didn't validate my feelings!") included Petra dictating a letter to Mommy:

"Dear Mommy:
I want to go home. When you pick me up I want to eat at my house. Then I want to play with you and Daddy. I want to do it NOW!!! I love you. Are you here yet?
Love, Petra"

Poor girl!

Just before lunch, the teacher told me that she wanted to send Petra home just before nap again. I offered the counter proposal of coming to the room after lunch, and tucking Petra in to see if she would nap, because I think she really wanted to sleep in the cots, and if she was comfortable enough to do that, she'd be making a huge leap. The teacher accepted this (Yay! Reasonable people!). When I got the call to her room, I got to the door, and the teacher said she was already lying down in the cot to nap. I decided to just wait outside, and if Petra wasn't sleeping, I'd come in to help her. But our girl is a champ, and after about 25 minutes, fell asleep! Good girl!

I immediately ran out for coffee and a burrito. I was starved and sleepy. The other parent had left before nap, and I needed a break!


I got back before nap ended, so waited outside until I saw Petra up (so cute taking her sheet off her cot and putting it in her bin to put away). She looked a bit sleepy, and even looked at me and then away before looking back smiling and saying "Dada! You're here!"

We stayed around for a bit, I helped her decorate a label for her bin, and sat with her during snack ("I'm still hungry!" was repeated at least 4 times between servings). Then she washed up and was ready to go.

We had a good drive home, and then read some books, and took a walk around the block with her riding in the wagon. We played some hopscotch and chatted with local friends until Mama got home. When a neighbor asked how school went today, she said she had fun and told about things she did. Yay!

We'll see what happens tomorrow with Mama in the room!

Third day

The third day of pre-school was somewhat better. Mama was on duty again, but was able to step back a bit more and let Petra play with the other kids more. Petra is still not interested in circle time though. When the kids went outside to play, Alison stayed inside and out of sight, and Petra was fine (though at one point, Alison could hear her asking a teacher "Excuse me, have you seen my mother and father?"

There was a bit of a meltdown, but Alison secretly stuffed a graham cracker and some grapes into Petra, and she was fine again. Alison was able to get away again for an hour or two all through lunch. It was Splash day, and Petra had lots of fun out playing though she really wanted a "water park with big waves" rather than sprinklers. She introduced herself to "those shy girls," and made some new friends, so that was a good sign. Though she initially says she doesn't like school, when we talk about it, she certainly has lots of good memories of fun activities and nice people. I'm hoping the good outweigh the bad soon!

Again, though, Petra was ready to nap with the other kids, but the teachers said "No" and sent her home. They've decided that we'll continue transition (and us missing work and burning vacation time) into next week. This doesn't seem like a great idea to me, as we now have a 4 day weekend, in which Petra will forget all about the routines she has been learning.

At least Petra took a good long nap, so she and Alison were happy when I got home (whew!). Thursday I'm staying home with her ("staff development day" at pre-school. Hmmm, they always seem to be just before long weekends. Go figure!).

School Daze

Mama was on call for this second day of pre-school transition. It doesn't sound like it went well. Petra is considerably more clingy with Mama than Dada, and wouldn't let her leave at all. The teachers were also not particularly helpful, not giving any guidance or talking to Mama about how best to help Petra make the change. It didn't help that when Petra started melting down at mid morning, Mama tried to help by giving her some apple. Of course, non-sanctioned snacks are not allowed, and a reprimand was delivered. Not particularly helpful, as they had no other advice on how to handle a hungry baby.

After lunch though, Petra got her second wind and was happy again (gee, think she was hungry?). She played a bit, and then helped get the cots out, and was yawning and saying she wanted to nap, but the teachers said, no nap, take her home instead. I assume that they have some sort of transition plan, but they did not make any attempt to share it with Mama. Petra promptly fell asleep in the car, but woke up and wouldn't go back to sleep after getting home, so she was pretty unruly all afternoon.

Tomorrow, the teachers REALLY need to talk to us about what the plan is. We are pretty easygoing parents, we just need some guidance. Today they apparently started saying that transition would run into next week (which was never mentioned before), and we're going to have to scramble to find a way to do it when we're running out of vacation time! I can't say this has been the most pleasant experience for any of us so far!

Dada did take Petra for a long walk after dinner (her suggestion), and we talked a lot about her day, and she clearly did enjoy a lot of the day, and remembered songs and stories, and some of the kids she met. We're getting there, but it isn't easy!