She was so ready yesterday morning when Lightman and I took her to her first day of pre school. We had great hope that this particular location and time in her life was really right for little Rainbow.. and it was. The night before, much like I did as a wee one, she laid out her clothes with great excitement for the big day. We packed her new backpack and water bottle , which was funny because she really needs nothing as they don;t even stay through lunchtime! She went to sleep rather peacefully and quickly (not always the case!) and woke up bursting with anticipation !
I forced her into a brief photo shoot to commemorate the big day! Some may say it is overboard to make such a big whoosh about pre school, but here is my thinking. She will never have this particular first again. Her first time being a part of someone else's external time (aside from our family's). While she will have many firsts with new situations, what her idea of what "school" may be , after today will have some presumptions. Until today it was truly a fantasy!
We arrived early and hung out by the giant sequoia tree near the entrance and waited as other new kids arrived. I could tell the overwhelmed look on her face started to kick in as did her dancing momma's emotions. The hilarious part is that this wasn't a situation where we were just leaving her there! The day was only for new kids and their parents! We stayed the whole time. In hindsight I think the rush of emotions for me were a combination of the loving, beautiful environment created by the teachers and other families upon arrival (AMAZING first impression!) and then watching her NOT actually cling to us but truly move forward like such a big brave kid!
In healthy attachment it is said that this is really normal and that it is likely harder on the parent/s then the child to have this separation. Well, in that case I guess I am right on track!
We were honored to observe and play with her and watch as she gently integrated into the space with other children. The school is a play based parent co operative ,meaning we will actually be there a lot very involved with the functioning of the school with the kids at the heart of the mission.
The time flew and before we knew it , she was hugging her new teachers good bye until Monday.
Her response afterwards was positive and we celebrated at our favorite hipster cafe in downtown Oakland!
I learned a lot from Rainbow today and I imagine this is only the beginning!
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