Friday, August 20, 2010

A ROUGH START

I would love to be posting that the first day of school was terrific, but that wasn't the case. My happy-go-lucky girl didn't have a great day, and I was NOT prepared for all the tears...after all GiGi has been counting down with excitement ALL SUMMER LONG to the first day of Kindergarten. I thought she would be comfortable in her new school since her brother goes there. She is very familiar with the school and the teacher since GTO had the same one. I wasn't expecting it to be scary for her at all. All week long, I had talked to friends that had anxiety about their children starting school, but that wasn't the case for me. I was actually more worried about GTO going to a new after school program since he is my anxiety ridden child. BOY, did I get this one all wrong!

Kindergarten is still half day where we live, and GiGi goes in the afternoon. She goes to a church school across the street from the elementary in the mornings, and they bus her over to kinder. I wanted her to become familiar with the process, so I decided to let her ride the bus, and I waited at the school for the bus to arrive. I was standing just inside the door so she couldn't see me. I wanted her to be able to get off the bus and get inside by herself. It took forever for the bus doors to open. I started to think there may be a problem, and sure enough, when the doors finally opened, there was GiGi with her head down and big tears rolling down her cheeks. By the time she made it to me at the doorway, she was hsyterical. I did manage to calm her down a little and I walked her to her classroom and got her settled. I was a wreck all day. I left work early to pick her up and when I got there, she was sitting in the after care teacher's lap. She immediately started crying again, and she cried almost all evening. I put her to bed early thinking she was probably worn out from the exhausting day. I was hoping she would wake up excited to try again today, but we had lots more tears this morning. Now I am sitting at work debating whether or not to meet the bus again today. The school does not like for parents to linger after the 2nd day. They want the kindergartners to learn to be independent. Should I go, or should I stay at work worrying? Am I enabling her by meeting the bus, or making her feel safe and secure? This parenting STUFF is hard!

Hoping next week brings my Happy Go Lucky Girl back!!!

P.S. GTO did great and enjoyed his first day. Apparently, I was worried about the wrong child!

9 comments:

Krouts Sprouts said...

i would say to go today, ease yourself and her and GO GO GO to your baby. BUT then you have all weekend to explain, talk it out, try it again maybe on ya'lls on and really make it a fun thing for her, get GTO involved and make her have fun with the idea. then do a special routine before bed and in teh morning get up early so you have special time with her for breakfast and getting all excited for the adventure of Kindergarden. but i would go today, good luck girl!!!

Stacey said...

I am so sorry! Did something specific happen? Hope it gets better for her!

kjanedesigns said...

Oh poor girl - it breaks my heart to hear about her tears!! And breaks my heart for you to be in such anxiety! Hope all went well today!!!

Becky said...

Kinder was the exact same way for Ashton. It was so hard for me especially since we didn't really the teacher and Ash wasn't getting her TLC from the teacher at all. I don't want to be the bearer of bad news, but it lastest until almost the end of first semester for her. It was horrible. I am so glad it is behind us, but my heart aches that you are going through this with Gigi.

The PhotoJunky said...

Oh bless that sweet girl, I wanted to cry reading this!
Hugs from Aunt Shannon!

Lana said...

Poor Gigi, I hate that she had such a rough day. Hopefully after a few days things will settle down for her and she'll get into a nice routine. I bet by this time next week she'll have made some new friends and will start getting excited about going.

Kami said...

This broke my heart (ok I cried even!) that poor baby girl. Change is so darn hard and scary. Oh I hope this turns around quickly for mama and gigi...keep us posted! Hugs to you both!

Coco said...

Oh no! This makes me nervous for Monday.
Gigi will be fine, it is all the hurrah about Kinder that freaks them out I think.
Parenting is hard, why don't they give us a handbook when we leave the hospital with them?

I heart said...

Awww, poor Gigi (and poor Momma!) It's so hard to watch them struggle! She'll be used to it in no time though. Hope this week is much better!