separation
As much as I'd hate to admit it, I've been the classic cliche when it came to The Bun's first day of school. As expected, we've had issues with separation anxiety - teary mornings and that overwhelming feeling of guilt when you just have to turn your back and walk away, leaving him in the arms of his teacher, who tells me later on that he's perfectly fine afterward. I tell J repeatedly that The Bun will be fine, many kids go through this and get past it eventually, he does enjoy his time in school after the tears are over, the school would call if he was genuinely inconsolable, etc. But I know that although I'm talking to J, I'm really telling it to myself.
So after I get back from the drop-off and Bao takes her morning nap, I try to take my mind off things by doing chores, going online, chatting to friends etc. A week ago I was desperate for some silence and time away from The Bun's constant go-go-go noise, now I find myself feeling a bit lost. It's a bit silly because in the last couple of weeks especially I was exhorting him to go play by himself and give me some peace for a while. And now that I have it? Hmmm.
When he cries at drop-off I spend the rest of the morning wondering how he's doing and hoping hard that he's having a good time. It's not easy having to leave a crying child behind, even though it's so much easier ignoring them at home when they're having a meltdown with full waterworks - such irony. I find myself checking the clock to imagine what he would be doing in school right now and reminding myself what time I should leave to pick him up. My heart feels a bit achy.
I know this is a normal part of the adjustment period and that countless kids and parents have felt the same way. It's just such a new feeling for me, after having him so close by for the last four years.
I'll write in more detail about how school was for The Bun soon. For now, it's back to distractions on TV and clock-watching.
So after I get back from the drop-off and Bao takes her morning nap, I try to take my mind off things by doing chores, going online, chatting to friends etc. A week ago I was desperate for some silence and time away from The Bun's constant go-go-go noise, now I find myself feeling a bit lost. It's a bit silly because in the last couple of weeks especially I was exhorting him to go play by himself and give me some peace for a while. And now that I have it? Hmmm.
When he cries at drop-off I spend the rest of the morning wondering how he's doing and hoping hard that he's having a good time. It's not easy having to leave a crying child behind, even though it's so much easier ignoring them at home when they're having a meltdown with full waterworks - such irony. I find myself checking the clock to imagine what he would be doing in school right now and reminding myself what time I should leave to pick him up. My heart feels a bit achy.
I know this is a normal part of the adjustment period and that countless kids and parents have felt the same way. It's just such a new feeling for me, after having him so close by for the last four years.
I'll write in more detail about how school was for The Bun soon. For now, it's back to distractions on TV and clock-watching.