Wednesday 8 February 2012

Thankful for a Great First Day

For some time I have been very worried abut my little boy’s first day at mainstream preschool. My greatest concern has been that he would be so frustrated with not being able to make himself  understood that he would react badly. I was anxious that he would shut down and forget about communicating all together.  I was also worried he would get so frustrated it would cause him to melt down into a tantrum. I was worried that a bad start may set the scene for his preschool year. A year that is meant to be full of fun, wonder and adventure.

I am thankful to report, that even in the face of my worries, Buster’s first day at preschool seemed to go astonishingly well!

In the morning he was excited and enthusiastic, ready to go! We put his uniform on and he strutted proudly in front of the mirror!  He ‘helped’ pack his lunch box and his bag, just like his big sisters do and was raring to go!

‘’Our first stop in the morning was to take the girls to their school. Buster would point to himself and say, to anyone he could find….

‘…I go preschool….I big…”



Once we got to Buster’s Preschool, I was so thankful to find that his teachers were just lovely! I explained to them his speech difficulties and they were very understanding and supportive. They even offered to make flash cards for him if he needed them.



 Buster happily played with puzzles and toys until it was time for us, the parents to leave. I told my little guy he was too little to go to big preschool. I wrapped him up in a great big cuddle and sprinkled him with kisses all over his gorgeous little face! I told him that it would be best if I took him home, to have a nap and

 “….cuddle and kiss him all day…..”

But, my dear little boy, screwed up his dear little face and very clearly (and loudly) stated

 “…Nooooo! I stay here ….you go now mummeeee!....”

Causing giggles and laughter  from the other parents, preschoolers and even the teachers!

I left with out even a tear from Buster….although, I think I had some sand caught in my eye……

Can you imagine how thankful I was when I returned to pick Buster up and the first thing the teacher said was

“….He has just had the best day….”

His teacher went on to say that his speech difficulties didn’t affect his interaction with the teachers and the other children. He was sociable and out-going and happy!!

…..I was so happy I almost cried!

I am so thankful that buster had such a great first day at preschool! I feel that this was a very important hurdle for us to overcome. Today was the culmination of months of preparation (and worry on my behalf) and I am just so happy that it went so well.

….and he just can’t wait to go back tomorrow!



For this Thankful Thursday, I’m linking up  Kate Says Stuff. Come and see what things others are thankful for!


39 comments:

  1. That is so fantastic :)

    I think I have a little something in my eye reading about his wonderful first day.

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    1. Thank you Marita! I know it is only one day, and there are many more to go....but I'm so thankful that his first day was great!

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  2. I think I have some sand in my eye reading this post...
    I'm so happy he had a great first day! I know the relief of that as a parent, but also feel your pain about letting them go. My son woke up this morning and crawled in my lap for the biggest cuddles and just nestled there. I said to my husband, "He'll be too big for this soon." My son said, "No I not too big!" Bless them. They make our hearts explode without even trying.

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    1. Thank you so much for your lovely comment! This parenting thing can play absolute havoc on ones emotions!! I bet you gave your boy an extra big cuddle for being so adorable!!

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  3. Awesome! I was very worried about my boy starting pre-school too. In his own words he "LOVED IT". I too, however got sand in my eye as we left him there...

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    1. Thank you! I'm so glad your little boy loved preschool too!...that darn sand :)

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  4. I am so glad that Buster had a great first day - it will make the days that follow so much easier.

    I have a 19yo who came for a cuddle on the couch last night - they are never too big for cuddles !!!!

    Have the best Thursday ever !
    Love, hugs and positive energy.
    Me

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    1. Thanks so much! I hope he continues to love it at preschool. I'm glad your Mr19 still comes for cuddles! He'll always be your boy!

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    2. It is a Miss 19 - maybe a little more acceptable than a Mr 19 ! LOL

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    3. Sorry for the confusion! I hope that when Buster gets to be 19, he might still want a cuddle....maybe...just a little one???...perhaps?

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  5. I'm happy for both of you! The first day of preschool is tough no matter what, but I imagine it was especially tough for you. How great that it all went so well.

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    1. Thanks so much for your kind comment! I was actually surprised that it all went so well!

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  6. Now, how wonderful is this! What a sweet guy you have there. The first day is such an important step.

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    1. Thanks Donna. I am feeling so relieved that the first day went so well!

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  7. Absolutely fantastic. Sometimes our kids surprise us in being more resilient than we give them credit for.
    Huge Congrats to Buster on starting Preschool.

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    1. Thanks Nat! I was very close to not sending him to preschool, but holding him back so his speech and emotions could mature a bit more first. So far he seems to be doing great!

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  8. I'm new to your blog and am visiting from 'Kate says stuff' readin this made me smile and I also had a little sand in my eye!!! How amazing!!! I hope you feel a little more at ease and at peace now sending him! He looks like he would light up the room!!! Xx

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    1. Thank you so much for reading my blog and leaving such a lovely, kind comment! I was feeling much happier taking him to school this morning....and that little fella does seem to put a smile on people's faces!

      I lost my blog a couple of days ago. I managed to get it back after contacting Google, but I don't think the comments are working as well as they should. I'm sorry about that and I hope it gets fixed soon!)

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  9. The look on his face is priceless! It's evident he was having a ball! So wonderful that he had a great first day - for both of you!

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  10. So happy that his first day went well. Isn't it crazy how the times when we are the most worried about our kids, they surprise us by doing the exact opposite of what we expected? Jake loves his preschool too and I was so,so worried about him in the beginning not only b/c of speech, but also b/c of his food allergies. When you have that feeling though - that everything is going to be ok - that's the best.

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    1. Thank you for your kind comment! I'm so glad to hear that Jake loves his preschool. I wonder if the need to communicate the other kids will motivate my son to try and talk more clearly?

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  11. That is so great! I'm glad he had a good day- he looks like such a happy boy! I'm so glad his teachers were good, and that his speech was not an issue :)

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    1. Thanks Robyn! I had a parent/teacher interview today, and she said she could even understand most of what he said!

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  12. Oh too cute. So glad to hear he had a great first day, it's sometimes harder for us Mums :)

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  13. So glad to hear he had a great first day, it's sometimes harder for us Mums :)

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    1. Thanks! It was hard for me because I was so worried that he just wouldn't cope very well. I'm so relieved that he did great!!

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  14. oh this is wonderful! So glad it all went so well

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  15. Oh Nic thrilled to read this!!! Just thrilled.

    xox

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    1. Thanks Kate! The support from everybody on your thankful Thursday meme has been absolutely overwhelming! I am so touched! Thanks so much for hosting it!!

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  16. Glad that Buster had such a great day. The teacher saying that they could understand him must have been great to hear.

    I hope the rest of the week went just as well.

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  17. Oh hooray! Glad it went so well! :)

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  18. Yaaay!
    That is so fabulous to hear/read - and a credit to you both.
    Woo hoo!
    :-)

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  19. That is so great! Good for him. He's a brave little guy. My daughter did something similar in kindergarten this year... told us to leave. lol

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  20. That is so wonderful! I am so happy for you and for Buster. Sometimes, as Mum's, I think we can worry too much about the "what ifs" instead of just allowing things to happen in so many aspects of life. Enjoy and sigh a BIG sigh of relief... and get that sand out of your eye ;)

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