Yesterday was Olivia's first day of Nursery School and I am not going to lie, I am feeling upset about how it went down. She is 2-1/2 and started the 2-1/2 year old program at a local nursery school. She was so excited to "go to school." She even wore a dress and let me put a bow in her hair which she never does. Plus, she let me take photos of her looking all cute. Things were looking good.
Her dad and I dropped her off and she actually went right in the classroom and we quickly sneaked away. We ran into one of our friends whose son goes to the same school and she said Liv was playing nice at a table when she walked by her classroom. The hubs and I felt good about things. We returned 45 minutes later (classes are shorter in length until the kiddies get used to it) and the teachers were looking for us. This couldn't be good.
Apparently she was hysterical. We went upstairs and she was crying but I definitely wouldn't say hysterical. They obviously don't know her well, if she was hysterical you would have been able to hear her across the school and she would have been flailing on the floor. The teacher brought her to us and she calmed down. I tried to ask the teacher if she was like this the whole time and she was a bit short with me. Basically it was on and off but they were upset because she wouldn't let anyone console her. I got news for you ladies, she doesn't even let me console her. When she is upset she wants to be left alone.
So the plan of action for Thursday is that they are going to have me sit in a corner of the room and if she seems to be doing well I will sneak out. So we'll see how that goes. When I asked Liv why she was cried while in class she said she wanted to play with mommy and daddy which broke my heart just a little.
But I do have a confession I was really upset that she didn't do too well today. I took it personally and I thought the teachers were giving me attitude when I picked up and didn't really want to discuss it with me. And I was so nice about it. All I asked was "how bad was it?" and "was it the entire time?" Fair questions, right? I wasn't interrogating them like "what happened?" I also felt upset because she was the only in the class who was crying. I know I am being silly but I took today pretty hard, worse than her I am sure.
How were your kids when they first went to nursery school?? Am I the only one whose child had a slight issue? I know I am overreacting especially since it was the first time she was ever left somewhere without someone she knew but I cannot help it. Someone make me feel better! xoxo
Aww I'm sorry she didn't have a good first day. I don't have kids but I can tell you I was a wreck my first few days of pre-school AND Kindergarten.
ReplyDeleteI don't have kids to compare with yours but from what I've seen around me it will get better! Plus when she's older you'll have this funny story to share with her about how much she cried on the first day of school but actually ended up loving it.. I hope ;)
ReplyDeleteOh poor baby!! I think it will get better but it's gotta be kinda scary at first to not have mommy and daddy there when you are used to having them. I wish I remembered what my first day of school was like. I went straight to kindergarten at age 4 with no pre school or daycare of any kind. Come to think of it I'm going to ask my mom to see if she remembers!! That is the cutest picture of her!
ReplyDeleteI could have written this! My oldest is better this year (except for yesterday) but last year this was her. The only crying one, me feeling embarassed and horrible about it! Each week did get a little better, and by November she was just fine. A teacher friend told me to read her "The Kissing Hand", and it seemed to work!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry that happened. It sounds really frustrating. I don't have kids, so I can't relate, but I'm sure they could have handled it in a more friendly and productive way.
ReplyDeleteSounds normal to me for her age. But it seems like the teachers weren't very professional or nice about it. Don't take it personally. I remember just being left in a toddler room at a church once and crying so much that they had to bring me out to my mom in the main part of the church and then I was fine. It was very traumatic. And, as i said, normal.
ReplyDeleteok i'm going to give it to you straight:
ReplyDelete1) it's TOTALLY normal during this transition period. they will scream and cry and act like you're throwing them into a pit of vicious wolves. it may go on for about 2-3wks (ugh, i know) but put on a brave face and act like nothing is normal. drop her off, don't delay/puttter around, kiss her goodbye and then cheerily say: i'll be back after class! and leave. immediately. as in don't even turn around and look. just leave. then you can cry in your car (totally what i did). if you're anxious, they pick up on that and it only prolongs their anxiety/makes it worse.
2) you sitting in the room is not a good idea. she will need to get used to being there on her own and you being there isn't going to help. i know how awful this sounds but it's true. and sneaking out isn't good either - i'm surprised that they even suggested that. when kids expect you to be there and then suddenly you're not, they get scared and freaked out...that causes mistrust will make the next time you leave even harder for them. so continue dropping her off and the same time and acting the same way every time. kids learn through routine/repetition and by acting the same way every time, it'll help her adjust quicker.
of course, you can always tell me to shut the hell up but this is what i read/what my sister told me and it took kayla a 1.5weeks to adjust. after that, she took off to play with her friends and i had to chase her for a kiss goodbye!
thanks for linking up!
-kathy
Vodka and Soda
Dude. I cried in school up until 6th grade. No joke. :)
ReplyDeletei'm surprised the teachers aren't used to this happening all the time! i would guess that lots of kids that young get upset especially on their first day - jeez! sucks they were rude to you.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry that she didn't have a great first day at nursery school. Hopefully next time will be better!
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