My Firstborn Goes to School!

My first child ... my son ... goes to school. It's only preschool, and it's only 3 days a week, but it's school.

Monday was his first day. I was excited for him, because I figured he was just going to love having other kids to play and interact with. He went back and forth on the idea of going to school, one day telling me he was already a smart boy and didn't need to go, and the next would talk about playing with his new friends.

His first day, we all piled into the van (me, Mike, B, K, and my folks) and took him to school. We waited inside in the lobby, and B started to cry. I held him, and started crying, too. It was an emotional day in the first place, and he was making me feel worse.

So, a teacher came out to check in each child, and then sent him/her back to the classroom where 2 other teachers waited to help them find their coat/bag hook and take them over to wash their hands. When it was Braeden's turn, he pretty much turned to stone, put on the brakes and would NOT move. They let me go back with him.

He still was having no part in it, no matter what I said, how I begged, or what I bribed (and yes, I did bribe him). He even ran out of the classroom, back up to the lobby where the rest of the family was waiting.

Finally, it came down to this: either we take him home, or we just go. We opted to just go. I felt like the most horrible mother on the planet. There was my son, out in the hallway with the teacher, screaming and crying, and we just left him.

That's all I thought about, and we were checking our cell phones to make sure we didn't miss any calls, and calling the home phone as well to check voicemail. Finally, about 30 minutes later, Mike's cell phone rings. It's the teacher.

She says that Braeden is doing fine. They moved the chair they were sitting in, closer and closer to the classroom until B could see in. When he saw the kids playing with puzzles, he said "Excuse me, I'll be right back" and off he went. He ended up having a good first day.

His second day, Grandpa took him in, and he wanted to be held for a minute, so Grandpa obliged and then put him down and said "Okay buddy, it's time to go catch up with your friends." and off B went, only to turn right around and come back with his hand up. He wanted Grandpa to give him a High 5. He had a great day, and the next day seemed to go even better.

He seems to be really liking school so far. I just can't believe he's already starting his schooling, and that in less than 3 months, my little boy will be turning F I V E!!!!