Sonny Ma-Jiminy is three. Three and a THIRD, he will tell you. He's spending two days a week at kindy. I decided to let him go this year because he seemed to be in need of extra mental stimulation. So many ideas, thoughts and questions, and such a strong will! He seemed to crave some extra activities with bigger kids and having another authority figure seemed to be helping him learn about following rules and stifling his natural desire for rebellion.
I swallowed my pride and jumped the hurdles I needed to. Sheets and sheet bag. Lunchbox and cup. Hat with loop, washer with loop, cheese sandwich served at the correct time of day.
But yesterday he seemed to snap. He had a sandwich-throwing, watercup-tossing, floor-sulking tantrum and I got a phone call. I talked to the teacher. I talked to Sonny at home afterwards. And today,
"Kindy days are not my favourite days."
And then of course, "I don't like kindy."
Woo. I was never going to send him early if he DIDN'T like it. The only reason why he's there in the year before his proper kindy year is because he LOVED it. Or used to love it.
I know in the rational part of my brain that next week, kindy days will be his favourite again. Or, "It's my kindy favourite day," as he puts it.
But just for today, the emotional side of my brain kicked in and after he was told to stop playing in the sandpit (I thought they were allowed to play in the sandpit, so I had been letting him continue!) and come inside, I gave him a hug, left kindy, sat in the car and cried.
He doesn't like it.
I don't like it.
And I start to second-guess my decisions.
PS: that shirt reads, "My Dad Rocks," not "My Dad Sucks," as it can appear when your brain fills in the wrong missing letters.
01 August 2008
Second Guessing
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8 comments:
I don't think that you have to worry to much, kids are fickle.
I signed Hayden up for a Gym Class. We did a trail class and he love it. Lots of climbing, jumping, running, perfect for boys. Anyway, I asked him if he liked the class and wanted to go back. He looked me straight in the eye and said, "No! That was a very bad class and I don't want to do it again."
I was a little taken aback by this b/c he looked like he was having a good time.
Long story short, he is still going. I made him go again and it turns out he loves.
Do what you will with your son but I would try, I know its hard, to listen to your rational side.
We have had issues like that with daycare before. In our case, what caused his temporary dislike of daycare was that one time the teacher had to correct him on his "schoolwork" and it hurt his feelings. He is tender hearted :)
Then we had that with pre-k last year because there was a little boy who hit him in the arm. I talked with the teacher and she was more aware of their interaction. I can't say that he loved going to pre-k after that, but it did get better.
Honestly, I think a little early education is good for kids. Our kids have always had something and they are very social kids. I'd give it a few weeks and maybe he will do a 180!
You also forgot the beloved CHICKEN MONEY! I mean the CHICKEN MONEY was so FUNNY - and weird.
That aside he probably had a bad day, and was upset by the trouble that he got in. Making it hard on his little self, and even harder to say "Mom that really stunk!" It is a lot easier to say, "I don't like Kindy!"
I know how horrible it is to leave them there when they feel that way, but you did the right thing. He will be okay. I promise.
I have no kids. You know that. However, I know that doing things we don't like is good training for us all, and that small will coming up against big, strong will is going to cause some angst.
So while I'm mostly with the 'I'm sure he'll love it again in a week', and 'It'll be good for him' crowds, I'm also really concerned that the Obsessively Strict Rules for No Good Reason aren't going to lead to training so much as pain. Pain for you. Pain for Sonny. Hopefully pain for Kindy Teacher, but that might just mean more pain for a & b above.
Worst case scenario - Just remember if you do pull him out and let him go somewhere better next year that you will still need the kindy sheets, hat & face washer with loops, etc. No work wasted.
How 'bout we add 'have a really good cry' to the list of things to do on Tuesday? Jen.
That sounds really really good. Although I may have just got it out of my system today ...
Hi Givinya!
I've been lurking and enjoying yours and Crazy Sister's blogs for a week or two now. I'm a mom of 3 little ones in Virginia, U.S.A and both of you make me laugh. I, too, am a clown posing as a mom. In fact, many days I refer to our gang as "the 3 ring circus"! I've come to the conclusion that God gives us children to prove to us that we don't know everything. Which I am reminded on a daily basis because my 5 year old daughter is the epitome of "it's a woman's prerogative to change her mind". Which she does. Sometimes on an hourly basis. I would bet that tomorrow he'll come home and tell you he *loves* kindy and wants to be there all the time.
By the way, I love your new blog design - it is bee-yoo-tiful!
You'll have to give us all a kindy update. My son actually ran away from Kindergarten on the first day. He climbed over the fence and walked home. Kindergarten starts at the age of 3 in Germany where we were living at the time. My 3 year old walked home by himself and rang the doorbell! I had a heartattack!!!!!!!! His first words to me were Mom, Ich bin starving.
I understand your tears.. I had a crying episode one morning this summer when my second son decided that he didn't like camp! I left him there crying because I had to go to work. I burst into tears in the car. When I came to pick him up he was finishing off an icecream and having a blast. geeez!
I am sorry you have not enjoyed kindy. :( After all it was my idea....
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