Natalie & preschool??? (kinda long - sorry)

[natsmom04]

Natalie had her first day of school yesterday. She was great when we dropped her off, I cried like a baby on the way home, of course. When I picked her up, she couldn't really tell me what they did, except had a snack, nap and she went potty. Okay.... Then she eventually said that the other kids were mean because they wanted their toys back. I asked her why they wanted THEIR toys back and she said she took them. Well, yeah, the kids will want their toys back. Then the story flipped and they took HER toys. Everyone has to learn to share... yadda yadda yadda. Okay, so on to today. I pick her up and she's very crabby. Very attitudy. (not all that uncommon - she was sharing her summer with an 8 year old with a little personality - but I thought with the new environment and all, that would go out the window) She whines and is sucking her thumb all the way home and then we get inside and she is so whiney I can't even stand it. After trying to distract her and get her to talk about her day, she tells me that all the kids are scarey (scared) of washing their hands and falling in the big potty - because the police officer will flush them. (WHAT????) Okay.... so I get her to eat some dinner and she spills her water because she's three and can't sit still for 2 seconds. She's cleaning up the water and starts whining that she has to go potty. She's on the potty and whining more and ends up in tears. (again WHAT????) I am staying calm trying to get from her what's wrong. She says she wants her daddy (he's at work), her foot hurts (yet 15 minutes before, she was running and jumping). She seriously lost it when I got her off the potty that I took her to bed. She screamed and cried and eventually fell asleep in my arms.

What is going on with my baby???? Too big of a change for her? Does she miss her old daycare provider and her kids? Is she not ready for this? :( I want to ask the teacher for some feedback on how the last couple of days have been, but I don't want to get ahead of myself and assume there's something wrong when this could just be part of her transition. Normally, Natalie is so flexible and adaptable to new environments. Well, here's a cute picture of her when we took her yesterday morning. Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated.

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h260/emjeff99/100_4338cropped.jpg

[tanner'smom]

I am so sad it hasn't been going well. Are all the kids the same age or are there some older kids who are maybe telling stories? Also talk to the teacher. If they are worth anything they will be able to tell you what is going on. Also, they can look for signs at school to help her.

[natsmom04]

Well, Thursday went better. She came home much happier than the previous two days. Today she has a cold or allergies, so she was "off" because of that. I did call the teacher on Thursday to see how things had been going the first couple of days and she said things were good. I questioned her nap, but really haven't gotten a good answer on that. Apparently, nap is AFTER school and there's a rest teacher that I've never met that would know, and I can't seem to connect with her yet. Maybe it's just a napping thing. :dontknow: Also, she's mentioned a few time that so and so wouldn't play with her or someone said she couldn't play with them. It broke my heart. :cry: I'm such a protective mama bird. I want to go up to those kids and say "why don't you want to play with MY CHILD?" She's so fun!!!! ....but obviously I won't. Natalie's just so outgoing and will talk to and play with anyone that it kills me that others have to be like that. I'm sure that, too will pass. Man, preschool's hard on not only the kids, but the parents!!! I did talk to another teacher tonight and she said that she can't think of a time when she walked in to Natalie's room and she was by herself. So, clearly she's socialing okay with some kids. I just don't want her to lose that outgoing spirit, y'know?

I know.... I'm THAT mom. I can't help it.

[anthonysmommy]

I'm sorry it took me so long to read this, I'm without internet right now. I sure hope things start going better for her. I'd just keep up good communication with her teacher, I'm sure it's just an adjustment period. KUP.

[natsmom04]

Thanks for the reply. I just now saw yours! Well, today I asked her how school was and if she had fun and she said "no, all the kids are mean". I think it must be happening on the playground because her daily report said that she "had a great morning", which is the school part. :( It just makes me sad if she's left out of things or if she's leaving herself out. I don't know what's going on yet, but when I ask her if she's having fun at school, her standard answer is no. :cry: so, how long do I let that go? I can't imagine keeping her somewhere where she isn't happy.

[anthonysmommy]

I really wish I had an answer for you, I haven't attempted preschool with anthony yet, although he frequently asks if he can go to school yet. I would say don't stick with anything your uncomfortable with, if you think it's an adjustment period then by all means stick with it, but if you feel in your gut that it's more, then listen to your gut. please let us know how everything progresses.