Daycare - Day 2

Today was Ben's second day of daycare. I still refer to it as school everywhere but here, because it's just easier for me. I feel less guilt when I call it school.

I told Ben this morning that he was going to school today. I really expected him to burst into tears and say something along the lines of "No school!" but he simply smiled and said, "School," and then, "Face paint." That face painting experience really made an impression on him!

I continued to expect a meltdown when we got into the parking lot, when we walked into the lobby, and especially when we walked into the classroom, but there were no tears and no protests at all. He did ask me once if I was going in with him, and of course I said yes. I'd decided ahead of time that I wasn't going to spend so much time in the classroom with him today as I did on Thursday. I wanted it to be brief. So we went in, and I sat on the floor and he sat on my lap. I tried to get his jacket off, but he didn't want to take it off. I guess that was my first sign that he didn't feel quite comfortable. After a few minutes, though, he said, "Jacket off?" I was happy! It was like he was feeling more comfortable. "I'll stay a while," I took that to mean.

After we took his jacket off, he sat back on my lap. We watched some kids at one of the tables play with these round wooden beads - they were putting them on a long string, forming colorful necklaces. I asked him a few times if he wanted to join in, but he said no. At one point, a bead fell on the floor but no one noticed. I asked Ben if he would pick it up and put it back in the box. he got up, picked it up off the floor... and put it on the string that the teacher was holding. Then he put on another one... and another one... and another one. He was completely engaged in this task. He didn't even look back at me once, which I was very pleased by. He was being so independent! I thought that would be a good time to leave, but wanted to make sure, so I caught the teacher's eye and whispered, "Should I leave?" She nodded, so I got up and went to the door. Ben looked at me, but didn't cry. I said, "Love you sweetie pie. I'll see you soon," and walked out the door. I heard him start to cry as I walked out, but was pretty sure he'd be okay within a few minutes, just like Tuesday.

I sat in the lobby for almost 3 uninterrupted hours. It was actually quite pleasant - albeit a little cold - to just sit and relax for no obligations for such a long period of time. I'd planned on this alone time and brought along the book "Eat, Pray, Love," by Elizabeth Gilbert. Have you read it?

At one point a delicious aroma started wafting out into the lobby - the front desk workers and I wondered aloud what it could be... meatloaf, sloppy joe's, spaghetti? It turned out to be meatballs. I wondered if Ben would eat the meatballs. He likes them when I make them at home, and I really hoped he would eat the facility's meatballs.

Again, before I knew it it was 12:00 and time to collect him. As I walked down the hall I remembered yesterday's outburst when I picked him up and already felt guilty again. I really thought that I'd cry when I saw him cry. Boy, was I wrong!

When I opened the door and he saw me, his little face lit up and he ran toward me and said, "Mommy!!" with a huge smile. I couldn't believe it! He was as happy as could be. The teachers said he'd had a great day. He'd cried for about 5 minutes, just like yesterday, but rebounded very well. He had fun on the playground, and even started engaging with some of the other kids (I was thrilled by that, as that's one of the main reasons I'm enrolling him). And they said he ate a big lunch - two cups of milk, and two plates of the meatballs! Woo hoo! He was absolutely giddy as we left the classroom and the building, and it continued when we got home. He was just so happy.

He starts for real on Tuesday. My fingers are crossed that it continues to go well. It'll be a little different because I'm planning on dropping him off a little earlier, for breakfast, and he'll be napping there as well. I'm still going back and forth as to whether I should continue to go slow with the transition. Like should I drop him off at the same time he's used to, and have him stay for nap, instead of dropping him off early as well? Ugh, I don't know. I guess I still have a few days to decide.

Wish me (and Ben) luck!