I am Sad.....

From Sept - June I took Justin to Mommy and Me on Fridays. We had a great time. Bonding, playing, singing, doing arts and crafts etc...

Now since he is getting older, he is able to go into the Slow Separation Classroom. This week we just started the summer session, it is for 6 weeks and meets twice a week. Its not the same as M&M, I am still in the classroom, but can't help him with anything. If he wants/needs anything he goes to his teacher (there are 4 of them since their are 10 kids in the class). He is still loving every minute of it. He didn't even seem to miss me not being there

Next week I only stay for half the class, by the third week they should be ready to fully separate and be on their own. Justin will do fine with that part - I am more worried about me!!! I know the point behind this is to have him ready for nursery school in September, but I feel like I am losing my baby and he is only 2 1/2

AWEE Heather !! I dont look forward to this

You should be happy that he's so content and loved at home, and that makes him content to be on his own ! (Im no Dr.. ) But seriously, you should be so proud that you raised this precious little boy (notice I didnt say young man! ) and he has so much love and friendship to share with the world !!!

Think of him telling you all the stories !! He will talk your ears off !!!! and then the cute little paintings you get to hang on your fridge !!!

I think this must be sooo hard on the Mom and sooo much for the kids. What a double edge sword. Just think of the fact that you are creating an independant children and that is very healthy. Growing up is soo hard for mommys

Awwwwwwwwwwwww Heather...big hugs to you!

I always see this at my school, most of the time the child is fine and the parents leave hysterical crying. Its like Anna and Michele said...itsl ike you want them to be independant and moving on healthy but at the same time you dont want to lose your baby.

The best feeling though, I know from my parents at school, is when they tell you all about their day, what they did, how they shared, made new friends, etc.

And when they give you that hug at night and they tell you they love you, you realize that you are raising a wonderful human being who is going to be an asset to the world and it is because of you and your hubby and the awesome job you are doing.

Heather your story reminds me of what my daughter is going through right now. My granddaughter who is 7, was invited to spend the month of July with her aunt (her dad's sister) who lives in Arizona. My daughter was all excited and looking forward to the peace and quiet she would have while Alexis was gone. She had all kinds of plans for things she wanted to do, and for the freedom from motherhood for 4 weeks.

Well can I tell you that I have never heard my daughter more miserable than the last 2 nights when I have spoken to her on the phone. Last night she was practically in tears saying the house is too quiet and she can't wait for Alexis to come home. She was upset because Alexis hadn't called her for a whole 2 days!!! I could sympathize with her (but I did laugh, bad mother that I am) and I told her I was going to remind her of this moment the next time she called to complain that Alexis was driving her crazy. However I also reassured her that Alexis needs her in so many ways and not to worry, because she is the most important person in Alexis's life.

No one every said this parenting thing was easy!! But the rewards are enormous!! Hang in there Heather!! Justin will always need you.

heather...

I'm sure it will be hard at first, but how exciting will it be to hear the stories when he comes home!!!


btw: my friend in sept followed the school bus to her daughters first day of kindergarten...and was followed by a string of cars...filled with moms!!

Thanks girls I really appreciate it!

Wendy his class is only from 9:30-11:15 on Tuesdayamd Tursdays - I figured I would look forward to that hour and 45 minutes to myself - what did I know

Erica - that will be me in 3 more years

AW!!!! I feel for you! You want them to do things and hit new milestones but when they do, it's another step towards getting bigger. I always say to Lukie 'Oh no, you're getting ready to leave Mommy behind already?'

I'll be looking for advice on how you handle it when Luke gets bigger

Awwwwwwwww Heather

Don't worry your baby will always need you

Sorry, Heather!!! I'm already dreading going back to work and Peanut's not even here yet!!!

Heather

This is something I send home with my 'welcome' letter before school starts. I hope it helps you!

Thoughts at the Bottom of a Beanstalk

Once upon a time there was a little boy named Jack who was about to climb his very first beanstalk. He had a fresh haircut and a brand new book bag.

Even though his friends in the neighborhood had climbed this same beanstalk almost every day last year, this was Jack's first day and he was a little nervous. So was his mother.

Early in the morning she brought him to the foot of the beanstalk. She talked encouragingly to Jack about all the fun he would have that day and how nice his giant would be. She reassured him that she would be back to pick him up at the end of the day. For a moment they stood together, silently holding hands, gazing up at the beanstalk. To Jack it seemed much bigger than it had when his mother had pointed it out on the way to the store last week. His mother thought it looked big, too. She swallowed. Maybe she should have held Jack out a year...

Jack's mother straightened his shirt one last time, patted his shoulder and smiled down at him. She promised to stay and wave while he started climbing. Jack didn't say a word.

He walked forward, grabbed a low-growing stem and slowly pulled himself up to the first leaf. He balanced there for a moment and then climbed more eagerly to the second leaf, then to the third and soon he had vanished into a high tangle of leaves and stems with never a backward glance at his mother.

She stood alone at the bottom of the beanstalk, gazing up at the spot where Jack had disappeared. There was no rustle, no movement, no sound to indicate that he was anywhere inside.

'Sometimes,' she thought, 'it's harder to be the one who waves good-bye than it is to be the one who climbs the beanstalk.'

She wondered how Jack would do. Would he miss her? How would he behave? Did his giant understand that little boys sometimes acted silly when they felt unsure? She fought down an urge to spring up the stalk after Jack and maybe duck behind a bean to take a peek at how he was doing.

'I'd better not. What if he saw me?' She knew Jack was really old enough to handle this on his own. She reminded herself that, after all this was thought to be an excellent beanstalk and that everyone said his giant was not only kind but had outstanding qualifications.

'It's not so much that I'm worried about him,' she thought, rubbing the back of her neck. 'It's just that he's growing up and I'm going to miss him.'

Jack's mother turned to leave. 'Jack's going to have lots of bigger beanstalks to climb in his life,' she told herself. 'Today's the day he starts practicing for them... And today's the day I start practicing something too: cheering him on and waving good-bye.'

to you and your little boy Heather.
Jenn-that is the cutest story

OMG, Jenn! Thank you for that...I am officially BAWLING my eyes out here! For one, it is so caring of you to send that to your kids' parents - and showing them how much you understand. And two, I will print this out and read it everyday so when it's Paul's turn to climb the beanstalk, I'll be prepared! *sulk*

Jenn - I cannot express to you how grateful I am for that story. It is so hard to see them growing up and that will help me!!!! I have it printed out.

Jenn, thanks for that story !!!


You are such an awesome teacher !!!!

Jenn you made me cry. That is wonderful and so very true. Wow!! I wish my kids had you for kindergarten..Oh well too late now! But the lucky children who do are really blessed.

Wendy, my best friend's niece is in Jenns school district (lives about half mile from the school!!)
Just yesterday I told the little girls mom, if she lucks out she gets my friend as her teacher!





ETA: Shes only 2 now, but time does fly !

Jenn...that is the best...I even welled a bit!!