Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Emmy at School

Aidan has been enjoying himself at school - no surprises there! Emmy, on the other hand, has been having a rough time adjusting. She goes to nursery school on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9-12. The teachers here try to do an adjustment period - over the first few days they increase the time she spends at school. The first day was horrible - she was hysterical (and had wet pants) after 30 minutes and I had to come and bring her home. She went back on Friday morning because they felt badly that she had such a negative first day. She still cried on Friday but didn't seem as bad - she still only spent 30 minutes there. We have been talking and reading books about school all weekend and she seemed happy this morning. She was saying that she was going to be brave and have fun at school. She even said "Mommy comes back soon" as we were walking down but as soon as we got into the classroom she started crying and clinging to me. She suddenly became more verbal and said No - don't go Mommy! Ugh - it's better when they can't verbalize that! But I left her for an hour today and I got back as snack was finishing up in the kitchen. I could see her as I came in and it was so heartbreaking to watch her sit at the little table not eating, looking lost and so small. She has such a big personality normally and it makes me so sad to see her like that. I'm sure she will be fine in a few more sessions. The teachers all told me how much better she was today. She's going for an hour and a half on Thursday so hopefully she will continue to improve.

4 comments:

Mary Ann said...

...God bless her, she's lost her spot in the family order, moved from everything familiar, and now she's being institutionalized...maybe you have yourselves a home schooler!...

K said...

So sorry B. I'm sure it is hard for both of you. But she sounds like she's always been a trooper and a tough cookie and she'll keep doing better and will be great. hang tough.

Matthew, Eve, Noah, Noelle, and Brooke said...

aww Emmy! She is such a sweetheart! I teared up just reading this. I hope she feels better about going to school soon!

Laurie said...

poor emmylou!!! it is tough - i had a similar experience in my first few days of school in the UK - but she'll make it!