Meet & Greet Party

Yes, I can see how you both would not want it to end. And I can see how starting school could bring up old feelings for both of you of daycare and that time away.

It is great that you are reasurring him that he will be home at three. If he seems to need a more concrete (visual) reminder I have seen it work for children to have the time written out (digital or analog) so they can compare the time. Or a watch with a little finger nail polish at the 3 so they know when the short hand reaches here it will be time to go home.

Maybe a different but still reasurring good bye routine would help since the same one you used before might bring up old feeling for both of you.

Our good bye routine is a varation of kisses from the book the Kissing Hand . (I would recommend it.) When My ds started kindergarten he didn't want spare kisses in the palm of is hand like in the book because he said they would wear off or get washed off so we put spare kisses on the back of the hand (and rub them in so they don't fall off) LOL He is in 4th grade this year and he still likes this good bye ritual. An advantage of rubbing it in for a 4th grade boy is if you get made fun of you can pretend you were wiping off the kisses LOL One 4th grade girl'a good bye ritual is she and her mother flash each other the sign language symbol for I love you

Also some kids and parents find a reunion ritual (someting you always do or somethting you always have) a comforting thing to. Some I have know are: parents always greeting the kids with the same "cool" bottle of water. Or having the same snack prepared at home or a special placemat(they both have) for after school snacks. One mom would always greet her son with her ds's special teddy that she babysat for him during school. Our routine as one the walk home we get to run at the "running block". the girl with the goodbye ritual of the i love you sign uses this as her runion ritual with her mother too. Use your imagination you know your son and what might be comforting for him and you.

SOme parents and kids find love you note is lunch boxes comforting and somthing to look forward to. Planning for the mom and the anticipation. It give a feeling of a get together during the day. My mom didn't put notes in my lunch box but she did put a differnt sticker everyday (she recycled them by using clear tape on the after they lot the sticky). I liked the anticipation and the thought that mom had done something special for me. It did feel like was a sort of like a secret mid day reunion with her.

The teacher in me wants to warn you not to stay to long when you drop off the first day. It seems to me harder for the kids to handle the transition if mom is hanging around. But the mom is me says stay long enough. LOL

The mom in me also wants to say if you can plan a get together with other mommmys that first day it will really help. It is great to have someone to share your tears with and something to occupy that first morning. Also, remember tears are not a bad thing. They help you with the transition. You will have to morn what was before you can enjoy the future, no matter how wonderful and adventurous that future might me. I'll pray that the transition and the morning is gentle of both of you.

The library I was crying to my friends that I didn't have anyone to take to the library for storytime now and the lunch we all enjoyed after. They informed me that I could still come to the library, that there was a whole other section in the library for people over the age of 12. Definitly made me giggle and realize that different opportunies are opening up for me too. I wonder what book I'll check out first. hmmmm

I have a feeling I will start

Hi Suzan, I'm so happy you made it!

Sheri Ann