Monday, August 25, 2008

Ana Claire's FIRST day of Preschool 4K



Her first drawing in preschool.

WOW! Can I just say what a day? It has been an emotional roller coaster. This morning we got up, Ana Claire seemed to be excited but very nervous about starting school for the first time. (She will be going three days a week from 9-1.)
We made her breakfast, packed her lunch and snack. We got our clothes on and the whole time we were talking about how we thought her day would be. I kept reassuring her that I would be there waiting to pick her up and couldn't wait to hear how her day went.

Today in our area from Hurricane Fay, now a tropical storm we had some really bad weather. Flooding rains and tornadoes. We leave for school early so I can show her the line of cars that I will sit in to pick her up. She is still fine telling me she is going to be a big girl and have fun, but if she doesn't like it she would tell her teacher to take her name off of the roll. I am trying to be very positive about everything and tell her that her teacher will come get her out of the car with an umbrella....then I see the teachers come to the door. I say the words hear they come and she TOTALLY LOOSES it. She is screaming she doesn't want to go please don't make me and then someone comes to the car to get her, but it isn't her teacher. Okay this is bad because she goes nuts. I tell the lady that she can't get her out of the car.... her teacher has to get her out of the car. I am now fighting back the tears. What the heck am I doing? Here comes Mrs. Jeannie to the rescue. Ana Claire is in my lap snotty and crying screaming no she doesn't want to go. Mrs. Jeannie is saying she will be fine as she peels her off of me. She closes the door and I watch Ana Claire being carried away kicking and screaming.....I am thinking, what the heck have I done? I am now boo hooing. I feel like the dirt on the bottom of my shoe. Picture a bad gotcha day moment. That is what went through my head. I go straight home questioning myself on what I had just done.

As soon as I get home I call the church/school to see if she is still crying, because if she was I was going to get her. They inform me they are under their weather plan and all of the children are in the safe rain room. I am thinking OMG! What a way to start the first day of school. They tell me to call back in 30 minutes. I call back in thirty minutes, they go check on her reassure me that she is doing fine. I ask them are you sure, because if she is crying I will come and get her. It isn't worth it to me for her to be miserable. No she is fine.

Okay, so when I go pick her up I can tell she is just as relieved to see me as I am to see her. I ask her about her day and she doesn't really want to talk about it. I said okay.....I don't know what to think. We come home and cuddle up in the bed and we both take a nap.

When the boys came home they ask her about her day and she opens up. She told them how she made some friends, colored, had circle time and a couple of other things. She said she had fun, but when you ask her if she is ready to go back on Wednesday she is iffy. I question if I am doing the right thing. She may love it, she may hate it. I just don't know. I am praying that God will give her peace....give me peace. I have collected some things to do some homeschooling with. I am going to follow her lead. I will not force her to do this. It isn't worth it to me to have her regress. She has anxiety issues and she has come to far to rock her boat unnecessarily. I guess we will see what this week brings. Please keep us in your prayers.
Anyone have any suggestions? I would love to hear them.

21 comments:

Sonya said...

Even though I lived every step of this day with you via cell phones..... I still cried reading your post!!!!
I know that God will show you over time what is best for AC and you!

Keeping you guys in my prayers!!!

S

Football and Fried Rice said...

Oh, Lisa - I am praying tonight.. ..

Pandamonium Mom said...

Hey I'm praying too! My only advice is don't judge anything on today only...I'm so with you when you say see what the rest of the week will bring. Tornado warnings on the first day of school! oh - I know that's hard!! We spent an hour this morning in the bathroom at school with our class since it's our "safe place". fun, fun! At least with my class, they've been in school two and a half weeks..they were all fine, but I can't imagine it with a group the first day of school! It's good they were keeping the kids safe...just wish she'd got to have a normal start to school..
I'm praying for y'all and I'm praying for sunny skies on Wednesday! And by the way, I think you were right on with asking for her teacher to come get her out of the car!

Michele said...

Hang in there! I've been a teacher for seven years. Yes, the first couple of days can be rough but hopefully she will get into a routine and learn to love school. Good Luck!

The Princess's Mommy said...

Oh Lisa...I can't even imagine. Bless your heart and sweet Ana Claire. You are both in my thoughts and prayers.

Love,
Monica

The Ferrill's said...

Praying tomorrow will be a much better day! I know that was so hard...especially with the weather. But you did so great not going to pick her up early...and so did she!
I love her drawing...so sweet.

Gretchen said...

I'm so sorry your first day was so miserable. Sounds like she had fun, even though it was so very emotional for both of you.

LaLa said...

Oh sweetie..it is so hard isn't it. I know she will do fine after a while. I remember crying all the way to work for 3 weeks the first time I left Annslee.

Love the pic she drew...so sweet : )

Steve and Jan said...

Lisa,

I am so sorry for the traumatic start for Ana Claire. And, I KNOW what you're going through trying to decide on homeschooling. I have battled with this all through the summer and the battle in my brain and in my heart continues.

Olivia started kindergarten this year and, so far, she has done well. Before school started though, she did express her fears about being away from me and, BOY did I have fears too! But, like you, I tried to focus on the positive. I do agree with Deette that I would give her more than a day to get past her anxieties...even though I definitely know how hard that will be for you.

I will be praying for you and AC. Our children have been through so much in their little lives. It is very, very hard to watch them struggle with situations and issues that are difficult for them.

If you ever need anything, please let me know.

Love,
Jan

mommy24treasures said...

I thought about you all day! I know you will know in your heart the right thing to do. You will be able to tell if its a good thing or not. I pray for both of you as you go through this transition.
Love
Connie

RamblingMother said...

It may take some time if you are willing to let her go and cry a few times. It is all up to you. Keep her home another year would also be right. There is not right and wrong if you are able to stay home with her.

RamblingMother said...

sorry to end abruptly, thought got interrupted. Will be praying for your comfort and her transition.

Anonymous said...

I would definitely give it some more time as hard as that may be for both of you. I bet she will end up loving it after all!!

day by day said...

Oh, boy Lisa! I know this must have completely drained you and
Ana Clair! [[hugs]]

I really believe, like I had mentioned in the e-mail....you will know..your mommy instincts will tell you what is best.

Please post and let us know how she makes out tomorrow. Hang in there!!!

Nicole said...

My heart aches for what you guys went through yesterday. I pray it will be better tomorrow.

Super Mommy said...

Oh Lisa - I am so sorry you and AC had to go through this. I will keep you all in my prayers - God will show you where AC should be. Tomorrow will be a better day!

Keisha said...

So sorry she had a bad start.
I used to work with K. and the first week or so is really an adjustment period. I see she must go to a "church/school" setting.. which is a BLESSING! I say give her some time... to meet new friends.. get to know her teacher.. learn the ropes. If she is still doing this in a few weeks..??? then I would go from there.
This is just my opinion..
I/we are praying about homeschooling our girls. I stay at home so it just makes since. But, yesterday with the girls.. was awesome.. go check out my post. I started pre-k with them.
I'll be praying for her and you too mommy!

Lauren and Ed said...

Oh gosh. It broke my heart reading this post. I was a fifth grade teacher for 10 years and kids at 10 years old will still be anxious and hesitant to come in the room. Mia attended school 2 days a week 9-12 last year and did wonderfully. This summer she got clingy at summer camps, so I backed off. She is now going 3 days 9-12. This has been her first week back. She was having some serious anxiety the day before, but then was okay day 1. Today she was still leary walking in. She sounds a lot like your daughter in the fact that she does better with very small groups (1-2 kids) versus a crowd. Let me tell you Mia loves school and has flourished. I think once the routines get estblished again, she will feel more secure. If I didn't feel 100% sure about her school environment and her teachers, she would not be going!!! My advice to you is to listen to your instincts. (By the way, Ana Claire's reaction was TOTALLY normal...just stinks the storm did not allow for a normal routine.) Only YOU and your family knows what is best for her. She may surprise you! :) Best of luck!!! All of us moms have been there, are still there :), and totally understand!!!

Mel said...

Lisa, I am so so sorry that you and Ana Claire are going through this anxiety. It is a hard decision and I also wrestle with the schooling options. I pray for peace in both of your hearts.
Mel

Tammy said...

Lisa,
I know exactly what you are feeling! I work at the pre-school Payton goes to 3 days per week so I can be with her and see it with kiddos all the time. The first few days are tough-especially for us parents! Try to give it alittle bit of time. I think she will end up loving it!
Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers!

Tammy

drew and lori said...

Lisa- I am behind on blogs so I just read your post. May I share an idea? Take a picture of your whole family and either crop them or order wallet sizes. You can even laminate them. Put them in AC's pockets, lunchbox, backpack- anywhere so she can take it out and see her family. This was a huge turnng point for karlee. also, read the book the kissing hand. we do kissing hands every morning and rub them in so they will last every day. just a couple of thougths. but the pictures have been huge for us. keep us posted and we are praying!