When I think of Labor Day weekend, I think of a new school year beginning. While almost every other mom in this country may be kicking back with a great sigh of relief that the school year has started again, I’m waking up sad because my first baby is off to preschool.
After dealing with what I called “preschool drama,” we finally made a decision and signed Cohen up for an all-day school. He was so ready to go to preschool and learn new things. He picked out his outfit, got his backpack ready and even put on his new shoes. My baby was ready to conquer the world.
The First Day of School
That first day I didn’t know what to expect. I knew I was going to be emotional but I wasn’t sure what Cohen’s reaction would be. It was a new routine for everyone. I had to drop my daughter Collyns off at daycare, hoping she would be okay without her brother, then we made our way to preschool. After taking a ridiculous amount of pictures, I showed Cohen his class and introduced him to his teacher and off he went. I didn’t even get a goodbye. I wanted to run back in his classroom and give him a hug, but he did so well and I didn’t want to embarrass him on his first day. I was so proud of the way he walked in like he owned the place. I on the other hand, walked to my car, called my mom and cried.
“He didn’t even say goodbye!” I sobbed to my mother. “How could he not say goodbye?” After she reassured me that he was going to be okay, I calmed down and drove to work. I couldn’t wait for the work day to be over. I wanted to hear all about his first day. When I picked him up, he shouted “Mommy,” and came running! His teacher said he had a good day.
In the car I asked him so many questions:
“What did you have for lunch?” I asked.
“Meatloaf,” he said.
“Did you make any friends?”
“Yes.”
“Did you get in trouble?”
“No.”
“What didn’t you like?”
“Naptime.”
Daycare vs. Preschool
Cohen demanded that the next school I send him to doesn’t require naps. Before he started preschool, Cohen was at an in-home daycare. At daycare they had quiet time but no mandatory naps. Now, every time I pick him up from preschool he tells me how much he hates naptime. His teacher tells me that he goes right to sleep and he’s a much happier boy at home if he naps, but he HATES them.
Another thing that is completely different than daycare is his curriculum. Every week his class has a theme or a letter. He is learning to write the different letters in the alphabet and on Fridays they have “show and share.” He must bring something that starts with the letter of the week. Cohen has never been interested in learning to write and I’ve never pushed him to try. The first week the teacher asked him to write his name, Cohen became frustrated and emotional because he didn’t know how to write the letters in his name. After the teacher told me about his day, I felt like a horrible parent for not trying harder to teach him. Luckily, he is catching on pretty quick and has a year to practice before kindergarten.
Even though I wasn’t ready for preschool, Cohen is flourishing and learning a lot. I am so excited to watch him grow and discover more things. I make him say goodbye now, too. And maybe next Labor Day I’ll be excited for a new school year, but I have a feeling I’ll be emotional every year!
Mallory Connelly
Babies & Toddlers
In addition to the time I devote to being a mom, I also work full-time outside the home, which means my day is hardly ever as simple as nine to five. With an all-too-established schedule, as soon as I walk through the door, my day doesn’t end, but rather just begins. It’s a balancing act, especially with two children, but being a mom is one full-time job that I never want to quit!
