School Daze

Mia is adjusting to her new school and new schedule quite well. She likes her teachers and classmates a lot. It is a lot different than her previous school. There are more children in this class and they are on different arrival and departure schedules. Mia is usually there from 9 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. or so. One thing I really like is that the school provides lunch and snacks. I've never been a fan of the brown bag, myself.

Most mornings, Mia clutches my leg as we enter the classroom. She is clingy and doesn't want me to leave. I mean she really doesn't want me to leave. She holds me tightly and cries until we can get her interested in an activity. At least 50% of the time, one of the teachers has to physically separate her from me. I hate doing it, but I know that she is perfectly fine within 20 seconds after I leave the classroom. (I peek back in through the one-way glass, just to be sure.)

It is a busy place with lots of different activities and electives. (Electives include swimming lessons, ballet, and gymnastics. As much as your child wants and your checkbook can absorb.) Mia and I are getting in the rhythm of things. I have to remember to dress her appropriately and/or pack her backpack each day. Since my workday is anything but predictable, I like helping Mia stay on her schedule.

Mondays: Wear sneakers for PE class. Encourage Mia to wear pants.

Wednesdays: Pack swimsuit, goggles, towel, warm cover-up, and jellies for swimming lessons. Ask Mia what she wants to bring for "Show and Share" and be sure it goes in the backpack in the morning and comes back home that night.

Thursdays: Dress Mia in her leotard, tights, and ballet slippers in the morning. Put a change of clothes, shoes, and socks in the backpack, as the teachers change the girls into their street clothes after ballet class (which is attended by all the girls in the class).

Friday: Take home the sheet and blanket Mia uses during naptime. Launder and make sure they get back in the backpack for Monday.

I really look forward to going to pick Mia up each afternoon. Each day, the teachers create a flipchart where each child says what they liked best about their day. Since Mia doesn't talk a lot about her day, other than the occasional, "Lilah forgot her goggles but I didn't," or "Michael took my toy and I cried," I like having this tiny little window on her day.

I should mention that while Mia doesn't want me to leave in the morning, I have a hard time getting her to leave in the afternoon as well. Parting is such sweet sorrow.