Our First Week of Preschool

My little scholar

On the front step before school

I am so proud of Mason

Day 1

Mason was instantly interested in the toys at his new preschool. I left and when I walked by the other door he saw me. He ran over to me and asked me where I was going. I told him I was going to go home and I would see him soon. He kissed me and started to cry a little bit. Miss Claudia (above) grabbed him up and held him on her lap. Then Caleb showed up and Mason was fine. He was playing at the water table with some other kids when Renee left. When I showed up to pick him up there was a very stressed out preschool teacher that wanted to have a conference with me. She told me that Mason didn't listen to her, didn't want to participate in the group activities, and the day wasn't terrible, but it wasn't great. Nice. Needless to say I wasn't impressed with her or her manner. I think that I was the only parent that picked up my kids from preschool crying, all the other moms cried when they dropped their kids off. I was so sad because I wanted it to be fun for Mason and I had been telling him for 2 months that it would be. I didn't want to hear that Mason didn't follow suite with all the other children and I didn't like to hear that it "wasn't terrible but it wasn't great either". But then I got a grip and gathered the facts. Mason is barely 3 years old, he is the youngest child in his class, he doesn't always listen or join, it was his first day in preschool, there was a student who cried for 3 hours in class, there are 12 kids for 2 teachers, and it is Ms Jessica's first day teaching. I had planned many speeches for this teacher and I had even thought challenging her in a school yard fight. But at the end of the day I talked to Mason. I asked him how school was and he told me that he didn't want to listen. We talked about the importance of listening to our teachers.

Day 2

I tell Ms. Jessica that I will speak to her after class beating her to calling me out in front of all the other parents like the previous day. I show up early and observe the class. Mason is playing with the other kids and everything seems to be going smooth. Just then eagle eye Ms. Jessica sees me and gives me a big thumbs up mouthing the words, "Much better day". I was instantly relieved and decided not to pull her hair on the playground. That is when I had my first conversation on behalf of my son. I suggested that we be team members in Mason's preschool experience, because at the end of the day it isn't about my protective ego or her difficult job it is about Mason. It is about Mason being happy, safe, and having fun learning. It is also about keeping things in perspective, it is preschool and he is 3. This seems to go over very well and I receive an apology for her crossing a line yesterday. I acknowledge that she upset me and accept her apology. I also suggest that we keep out little 5 minute play dates after class to go over bumps in the road. The teacher also tells me that it isn't necessary to send Mason in a pull up because he has been very good at using the bathroom and none of the other kids are using one.

Day 3

Mason poops his pants on the playground.

Can't wait to go back on Monday.