Sep 17, 2009

The First Day

Today was the little man's first day of preschool.

I've left him with friends before, but other than childcare at the gym, I've never left him with a paid sitter before.

He seemed excited about the whole concept this morning, but I didn't know exactly what to expect when we actually got to preschool.

He took one look in the classroom and yelled "Play play doh" and ran into this classroom (where play doh was cleverly waiting on the table).

He then returned long enough to give me a hug and say "Bye Mama".

And that was it. No drama. No tears (not even from me).

When I picked him up three hours later, the first thing he said was "More preschool. More friends."

Then he started asking about lunch. And that was that.

I'm proud of my big, adventurous, brave boy.

And yet it breaks my heart a little bit.

(Damn, there might be a few tears yet.)

26 comments:

CynthiaK said...

That's fantastic! What an independent spirit! Play doh always does cure all. :)

Sandee said...

I remember this. With mine and then again with the grand babies. It's pretty much the same kind of heartbreak watching out babies grow up. Can't stop it, but things just keep changing.

Have a terrific day. :)

Keely said...

Aw! This was where I was at, last week. X has the same independent spirit, as long as there's an Elmo to distract him.

msprimadonna67 said...

More preschool, more friends. Who could ask for anything more?

blueviolet said...

It's bittersweet, isn't it? But I am so glad it went that smoothly!

Kathy B! said...

I'm so happy you had a smooth transition! You may not cry now but I promise you will someday!

MrsM said...

Awwww. It's so hard when our babies grow up!

Michele said...

That is so great. This way is so much better then the major crying jag tantrum. You can have your own though. That's perfectly okay.

Jeanne said...

What a great job you're doing!

Casey said...

Aww, yay for the brave little guy. Graham did the same when he started last year but I was jumping for joy. Elliot, not so much.

Tammy Howard said...

That's exactly how it went with my first! (not so much with my second...)

Jenners said...

That is awesome! Trust me ... it is better than having him cry and not want you to leave. That happened with my Little One and it was terribly painful for him and for me. I felt so awful. He loves school now though ... they should love it and want to go! Enjoy it!

bernthis said...

My kid was the same way. I was so so grateful. Being a single mom it was incredible for me and such a relieft

Dawn said...

your tears are okay... mine never cried either... just went off on a new adventure. and i have learned, that it is the very best thing.

Dedene said...

Isn't that sweet? It's a miracle that he took to school so easily. You really must be relieved.
Congrats on the new free time!

mama-face said...

He is a big boy...

All of my children clung to my leg and I had to peel them off; knowing preschool was an important step. Thank goodness for patient teachers. :)

OH, the good old days.

Frau said...

Play doh should be the answer to all lifes problems. Have a wonderful weekend.

septembermom said...

He'll have so much fun. The tears will come even when your son goes off to middle school. Those mama tears seem to sneak up on you.

buffalodick said...

If you had acted any other way, you wouldn't be the great Mom I know you are... Wait until he gets a driver's license. Wait until he leaves home for college, wait until he moves out for good... You just got a sniff of what it really means to be a Mom..
But always remember- he is your kid, no matter how old he gets..

The Rambler said...

I'm gonna cry. I know it. But I'll hold it until I get back to the car.

Dang it. I'm such a softie. :(

Jen said...

I was not going to cry when Hayden went to kindergarten but that didn't happen.

WhisperingWriter said...

I'm glad he did so well!

I know it's difficult though. I'm not looking forward to leaving my daughter.

Mammatalk said...

Congrats. That is a big step!

adrienne said...

That's a big step. Good for your little guy!

That bittersweet feeling is better than the pangs of guilt when they go kicking and screaming...

AdviceMaven said...

How sweet. I'm glad it went well. I miss the days of being able to show my face at school without my kids telling me how embarrassing it is to have mom show her face at school. Of course if mom is dropping off a forgotten lunch she's suddenly less embarrassing.

piecemeal people said...

I'm pretty sure I'm going to be a sobbing mess when my son goes to school for the first time - sounds like you held it together pretty well to me!