After the obligatory "checking out the place" visit we decided that having a couple of weeks' worth of "visits" was the best way to transition her into her room/classmates/carers at her new centre.
"Visits" were her and I going and joining the room for a morning...eating morning tea, doing the art/craft activity, joining in the free play, etc, etc, etc.
Those of you who know me (well) will realize how much of a tedious task this was!! Kids are great. As long as I'm not shut in a room with 20 of them for hours on end!! I truly do not know how those carers do it...day in....day out....and staying sane!!
Anyways, back to the topic - after two weeks of visiting the "First Day of Kindy" arrived. Obligatory photos were taken, preparation talks were completed ("So today, Mummy is going to go home and you're going to stay at Kindy." ), lunchboxes were filled and water bottles chilled.
I mentally prepared myself for bawling, clinging to leg-ness and general wailing and gnashing of teeth.
Could not have been further from the truth.
I parked her on the mat with the rest of the kids, put her lunch in the fridge and bag in her locker. Kissed her goodbye and told her to have fun.
No tears.
Hmmm....walked out, closed the door. Looked through the window.
No tears, just listening to the story being read.
Hmmm...maybe it will hit home in half an hour or so? Then there will be tears. FOR SURE. I just know there will.
Called Kindy at lunchtime. No tears. Had a great morning.
Oooookkkkkkk.......
Go to collect her at 2.45pm (we decided to try and stick to NZ-ish Kindy times seeing as her Kindy is an all day affair and we can drop off and pick up when we like). All set for the "Oh, thank goodness you've come to rescue me!!!!! I thought I'd never see you again!!!! Mummy, you're the best, I missed you sooooo much!!!"
Instead I get:
"Mum, I can't come home NOW. I need to have my morning (afternoon actually...she can't get those straight) tea. AND I've just put my sunblock on so I need to go outside and play first."
What the?
So I offer to leave her there while I go to the supermarket and the mall to do a few jobs and collect her on the way home. Fully expecting her to wail and say "No, no, no....take me with youuuuuuu."
"Ok, Mum. Bye."
Are. You. Serious. ????
So I'm sent on my way and return at 4pm. Only to have to physically carry her out of the centre because she didn't want to come home with me!
Who would have thought, hey? Little Miss Independent. :O
Adjustment period for going to Kindy = Not Required. Thank you very much ;)
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Well that was easy! Do you feel redundant a little?
ReplyDeletewell done miss charlotte
ReplyDeleteHaha I had a similar scenario with my little girl's first day at kindy a couple of months back... Not only was she not at all tearful about having to stay, she was actually tearful about having to leave!
ReplyDelete