We finally made the decision to send Ellis to daycare. Work is demanding more of my time and I can't get much done in the day and take care of her at the same time. I had been trying to do both at the same time and it's pretty crazy, for both of us. I get frustrated trying to rush something out when she's cranky and won't let me work on it. I don't really spend any quality time with her even though she's at home because I'm perpetually trying to do something work related. Ellis is also an active child and I think being confined at home is pretty boring for her.
So we found a school near our place and signed her up. I figure we'll at least give it a go and if it works out, great. If not then we'll figure something else out.
I packed a bunch of stuff for school (water bottle, change of clothes etc etc) and gave Ellis her own bag.
Kisu and I dropped her off in the morning. We went a little ahead of time to give her ample time to get to know the teachers and for them to know her. We stayed a little watching her get familiar with the place and toys - she got distracted playing "masak masak" so we left after about 20 minutes there.
I was a little worried but that soon evaporated when I got home to a quiet house and was able to do my work uninterrupted!
I went back during lunchtime - I walked in to see her quietly sitting with the other kids at the kiddy table spooning her spaghetti bolognaise. It was cute...they were all so well behaved! I had imagined kids hurling food at one another during meal times. Her teacher said she didn't cry, just occasionally asked for "Mama" and "Dada". Didn't cry or fling herself at me when she saw me. She just continued eating!
I was going to stay long enough just to make sure that she was OK - she seemed fine but kept putting her arms out to me to be carried when I wanted to leave. But after a few rounds of pick ups and goodbye kisses she let me go off with a wave and "Bye Bye".
Was back at 2.30 to pick her up for the day after her nap. Was told she didn't nap which didn't surprise me at all. Recently she's not been that easy to put down for a nap, even at home. She ended up drawing with the older kids at the school because she didn't want to sleep.
I felt really terrible when I went to pick her up...she looked kind of sad and forlorn and her face seemed to crumple up when she saw me (although no crying). I don't know if it was because she was tired from all the activity and not napping, but I felt just awful, like I had done something really bad to my baby. So the teacher reported that she was "very OK" for her first day and that she wasn't shy around the other kids, even the older ones.
She seemed just fine by the time we arrived home. She was all jumpy and running around like always. Conked out at 6pm though! Her head and eyelids were drooping and I had to let her have a 30 minute nap.
I'm really, really proud of her for holding up so well. I'm still trying to adjust to not having her around but I do appreciate the time off and time to do work. I hope she grows to love school and look forward to going each day.
7 comments:
hi dorothy,
reading about ellis' 1st day reminded me of the moment when i sent isaac off to child care for the first time.
i felt a plethora of emotions, among them: a little guilt (feeling that i should be the one to provide the intellectual stimulation he needs since i was a teacher!) and yet relieved coz i could go back to part time work (do something for myself to keep self sane).
i think isaac & i have come a long way from those first tumultuous weeks (long story) and i am glad to see him make friends and develop his social skills. i hope ellis and you would find that too. have to confess that a very teeny, tiny part of it is selfish: i hope you'll continue with dotted line. i love your creations and am saving some of my future paycheck to get that lovely carnival dress. :)
hi rachel! guilt...definitely a lot of that involved...oh yeah!
re: guilt. it's natural & that takes a while to go away, tho that beast would rear its ugly head now and then (at least it does for me!). you are doing the best for ellis and no one knows what you need better than yourself. also, someone told me something that i think is true: happy mama, happy kids.
Wow- Ellis and her first BAG? :)
wow, she did so well! we've signed anne up for full day nursery 3x week in august, when we're back in zurich. hope she'll be able to settle in as smoothly as ellis ... i was very impressed with the civilised atmosphere at the nursery (also expected food fights and more chaos), everyone was really well behaved!
I'm utterly amazed. Ellis is one tough cookie. Emily is going through major separation anxiety. I hope to send her to school a 2-3 times a week at the start of next year, and am certain she will shed bucket loads of tears when the time comes.
hi! I know this is totally random but I love the pics u take of your daughter in this blog! May I know which camera (prob a DSLR right?) and any special lenses used? Focus is fantastic. Any tips?
Thanks!
Warm regards,
Mera
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