getting ready for school
Each fall we begin the tragic transition from free time to no time. And we go from sleeping to when we wake up to in bed by 8:30pm. Right now my husband and daughter are asleep.
Each week before I hear about how the parents are getting their children ready for the new schedule, and how they wake them up early and get them used to the new schedule.
I can say that I have tried that historically and failed. I am a believer in sleep. Hannah has learned to use this to her advantage. If she wanted to get out of a chore, all she needed to do is fall asleep. If you can do that, then you need it (in my mind) though I find it frustrating, it's the way of it in my house. :)
So we have been discussing what to do with this transition into the school year. And we sort of let the universe set it up. We had weddings, playdates, horseback riding, and all of a sudden, at around 7 pm Sunday night, my girl was very tired, and went to bed. Now, saying that, she got up several times throughout the night, but I don't see that as any different than usual with regards to pre school jitters... and she was up and ready way ahead of time. (all her stuff was set out and she was all set) We were in good shape.
And she made it through the day well, went to a friends after school, had that friend over here, and then went to bed around 8pm. She is exhausted and will get a good night's sleep tonight, and prep for her long day tomorrow.
I couldn't have planned it better. She is going early to a friends house to walk to school tomorrow (and the rest of the week) so that Dave and I can make it to work on time. And generally, I have no idea how we got this lucky, but we did, and so far, so good.
It's this thought that I am part of something bigger, and while I can't control everything, sometimes just letting it play out is the best way to manage it. I guess maybe it's having faith. Faith that even if she is tired, she choose it, and can manage, and faith that we have good friends that will work to help her regulate, naturally, by being friends. I don't know. Maybe being tired and and just relaxing works. Got me. But for now, that's a win in our corner. Our slide into the school year was excellent (excepting the concussion) and that is a win.
Each week before I hear about how the parents are getting their children ready for the new schedule, and how they wake them up early and get them used to the new schedule.
I can say that I have tried that historically and failed. I am a believer in sleep. Hannah has learned to use this to her advantage. If she wanted to get out of a chore, all she needed to do is fall asleep. If you can do that, then you need it (in my mind) though I find it frustrating, it's the way of it in my house. :)
So we have been discussing what to do with this transition into the school year. And we sort of let the universe set it up. We had weddings, playdates, horseback riding, and all of a sudden, at around 7 pm Sunday night, my girl was very tired, and went to bed. Now, saying that, she got up several times throughout the night, but I don't see that as any different than usual with regards to pre school jitters... and she was up and ready way ahead of time. (all her stuff was set out and she was all set) We were in good shape.
And she made it through the day well, went to a friends after school, had that friend over here, and then went to bed around 8pm. She is exhausted and will get a good night's sleep tonight, and prep for her long day tomorrow.
I couldn't have planned it better. She is going early to a friends house to walk to school tomorrow (and the rest of the week) so that Dave and I can make it to work on time. And generally, I have no idea how we got this lucky, but we did, and so far, so good.
It's this thought that I am part of something bigger, and while I can't control everything, sometimes just letting it play out is the best way to manage it. I guess maybe it's having faith. Faith that even if she is tired, she choose it, and can manage, and faith that we have good friends that will work to help her regulate, naturally, by being friends. I don't know. Maybe being tired and and just relaxing works. Got me. But for now, that's a win in our corner. Our slide into the school year was excellent (excepting the concussion) and that is a win.