Seton Baby Talk

My little guy is on the verge of another big change in his life, and it shouldn’t be a big surprise but I can already tell it’s going to be far more difficult for me than it is for him. Owen has been going to Miss Joan’s house for just over a year, while I work on Tuesdays-Fridays. Joan is a wonderful stay at home mom whose kids are 10 and 13. She was having a bit of baby fever but wasn’t going to add to her family, so having a little one come spend some time in her home was a perfect opportunity for her to get her baby fix and a perfect way for me to get back to work and feel comfortable, knowing he had one on one care. Joan has been nothing short of a godsend in the past year, and Owen has become quite attached to her as well as her husband, Chad, and her two kids, Steven and Shayelynn. Joan has decided to join the out of home workforce and as such we are now on the hunt for a Montessori School for Owen.

I really shouldn’t be concerned about this at all. Like I said, I’m sure this is going to be far harder on me and my heart that it is going to be on Owen, but I just can’t help but worry. How will he adjust to having a one to six ratio of adult to child? How will he react to having so many other kids around? How will he be with a more structured environment? What will happen if he cries? What if he misbehaves? What if another child hits him? What if he hits another child? What if? What if? What if? What if?

In an effort to put my mind at ease, I called a number of Montessori schools to find the one that will be the best fit for our needs. I kept one woman on the phone for over an hour asking questions. She was kind and wonderful and answered them all for me, and assured me I wasn’t crazy for worrying as much as I was, but also let me know that it is always harder on the mommy than it is on the little one.

I need to remind myself that this is what is best for Owen, even if it doesn’t feel like what’s best for me. Owen’s older brother, Evan, attended Montessori School and is currently absolutely shining in school. He recently was tested on his reading skills and as a first grader is reading at a fourth grade level. I am convinced this is a direct result of his learning in Montessori school. In addition to his advanced reading skills there are life skills that are priceless. Evan learned patience and understanding in his Montessori School and as a result shows such love when spending time with his little brother. Despite their age difference, Evan, at 7 years old, is perfectly content to spend time and play with Owen who is only 16 months.

After deciding that it’s definitely the people that make the Montessori we went to an open house visit at the school where I kept the poor woman on the phone for over an hour. She was there as well as the director of the school and the teacher who would be instructing Owen should he go there. All were wonderful women. The school was lovely and Owen, being the precocious little guy he is, after a very brief warm up time, went about figuring everything out. He was fascinated by the chairs that were just his size and had to try them out. He found some puzzles he mastered in short order and showed the teacher how he’s a big fan of sweeping and cleaning. We visited the playground and the Spanish classroom and the activity room and by the end of our tour he was off and running, exploring everything on his own. He took an absolute shine to the Director of the school and before our departure, she was carrying him around and filling him full of sugar cookies. She has a new friend for life. It was an easy decision. This was obviously the place for Owen. He was going to fit in well, and he had already shown an interest in the teachers and director of the school.

While being handed some appropriate paperwork for signing him up for school to start February 1st it happened. I burst into tears. I couldn’t help it. My sweet little dude has grown so much in just a year and a half and I just cannot get over how fast it has gone. My 7 lb 10 oz little baby boy is now a 24 lb toddler about to start school. I get choked up even now thinking about it. But I have to get my emotions in check. It’s not about me and my feelings about my baby growing up. It’s about him, and giving him the opportunity to grow, learn, and gain independence. While it hurts my heart, and I have a lump in my throat, giving Owen wings will be worth it.

Have you placed a little one in childcare or Montessori school? How has the transition been? Any tips on how to make it through the first drop off without bursting into tears? Share with the other moms!