Big Kiss's Kindy Story

This week has been full of something akin to sitting in the bed of a pick-up truck, full of dog shit, on a hot day.

 

That descriptive enough for you?

 

Jaysus, I need life to throw me a bone.

 

Clearly the first day of kindergarten, for my first born, was going to be hard. Mainly on Momma. I was fully expecting that. But my kid? He's pretty adaptive, laid back, shy at first, but loves to learn and stuff.  I figured I'd drop him off, take some pictures through my tears and go have my spa day whilst drowning in the sorrows of my baby growing up.

 

Not so much.

 

My kid cried as I stood by him in the 'room line' before school. And as he walked away from me [see that Wordless Weds picture]. He didn't look back, he kept right on walking, my brave boy, but he was crying all the same. One of the saddest pictures I've ever taken of this child. 

 

I let him go…went to the spa…had a massage from hell [not the therapist's fault, my back is fucked up], went grocery shopping and then did what any mother in her right mind would do.

 

I stalked my kid on the playground. I knew when recess started, so I was in the parking lot in my car, slumped down low like a criminal and watched him run out, swing, slide and generally be a little kid burning off steam. I noticed he wasn't really joining up with other kids, but I didn't expect him to. He's NOT like me, the social butterfly, he's much more like his Dada in that way.  It takes him a bit to warm up. 

 

I went to get a coffee and again found myself in the same parking lot, sitting low, while he came out of school and waited for the bus.

 

Lemme back up – our daily schedule will be Momma drops off in morning, Big Kiss takes a bus to daycare, Momma (or Mr. Kiss) picks up both boys from daycare after work.

 

So since I didn't want him to see me and ruin his soon-to-be new routine, I hid again.  He got on his bus – and off – like a pro. Yes, I hauled ass to make it to daycare before the bus did. And I have pictures. Taken from the backseat of my crime-mobile. 

 

The teacher was so awesome to e-mail parents with a report on their child's first day of kindy. She told me he cried 'til snack time and then had a good day. And I replied and asked for advice.  Turns out they read a book called The Kissing Hand, which was in his folder. Which I had received the week before. Which I didn't bother to fucking open. Which would have helped us, I think. Anyway – it's about a kid being scared to go to kindergarten and his momma gives him a kiss on his left hand, which is connected to the left shoulder, which is connected to the heart. And when the kid was sad during the day, he could look at his hand or touch his hand to his cheek and think of his momma.   So on day 2, I walked him in, kissed his hand, told him I'd see him after school and left. He was crying again. But I didn't linger. I need to let go.

 

He said his second day was better, that he only cried because he missed me for "a little bit."

 

This morning? I asked if he needed a kissing hand, he said "No Momma, because I know daycare, I've been there lots." Yah. They have no school today or tomorrow for the jewish holidays. I love the jews.

 

We shall start anew on Monday.

Oh and an f.y.i. for those of you who were happy to toss your kid to school, well, I envy you and more power to ya. Enjoy your quiet time! Seriously! But for us, both of my kids have been in daycare since 4 mos old - they're used to not being home during the day...for me, this kindy thing is the start of something so new for our whole family. New schedules, friends, buses, etc. For the kid, well, he's like the fucking Mayor or daycare. Big Man On Campus. He didn't know anyone in his class and is totally out of his comfort zone. Anyway. Felt like 'splainin' my sissy self. 

 

 

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p.s. - Join me again tomorrow for Friday Flip Offs - still helping Gigi at www.kludgymom.com

I'll try to get a link up early.