Seton Baby Talk

Life sometimes throws curveballs.  Sometimes there are hurdles and detours.  Sometimes what you have planned doesn’t pan out and instead of starting Montessori School on Feb. 1^st you get word that your little one needs to start Montessori school in exactly a week instead.

That’s when the panic sets in.

That’s when you need to start filling out paperwork in a whirlwind, and making arrangements and purchasing things like lunch boxes, and Tupperware bowls for lunch, and start writing your child’s name on every piece of clothing and shoe he owns.  And that’s after you have the minor breakdown, bawl your eyes out, and freak out about your little guy who isn’t so little anymore, or maybe that last part is really just me.  Instead of having a few weeks to get ready for this big change you have exactly a week assuming the school you chose will work with you.  Lucky for me, the school we found was able to help us out assuming we were able to get all of the required paperwork in on time.

I have a theory that everyone has a plate of sorts, and each person’s plate is a different size.  Each person can only handle whatever size their plate is and if their plate is overflowing, that’s when people get overwhelmed and anxious and need a break halfway through the week that involves an evening out with a good girlfriend to vent.

Last week my plate was overflowing in a big way.  Work and life collided in a way they hadn’t in quite awhile and with the added stress of trying to move Heaven and Earth to ensure that Owen could actually start Montessori School on Jan. 19^th instead of Feb. 1^st pretty much sent me over the mommy edge.  Thank goodness for the front desk woman, who is probably convinced I’m crazy.  I don’t really have any other excuse for the tears every time she saw me other than I was stressed and overtired and just not myself.  Luckily for me I have the next 3 and ½ years to show her I’m not really that nutty.

Being as this is the first time I’ve had to sign someone up for Montessori School it was a bit of a surprise the amount of paperwork involved.  Mind you, I understand that all of it is completely necessary and in some cases required by the State of Texas, but I was a little overwhelmed with everything that needed to get done in order for Owen to start when we needed him to.  The main thing that was a bit of a pain was getting his shots records.  It definitely worked out okay and I was able to pick them up TODAY along with the signed form required by the state for a child to start school, but it was cutting it a little close for my liking.  I just count my lucky stars that there wasn’t a huge wait list, as I’ve heard that is often the case when it comes to day care and Montessori schools.  These are all things to think about when considering daycare for your child.  Plan ahead and visit schools months ahead of time to ensure you choose the right place for your child and yourself and that you are able to get them in when needed, and it will also allow you the time to fill out the paperwork, get the items you need, and if you are anything like me,  give you the time to emotionally adjust.

We took a trip out today and stocked up on diapers, wipes, Kleenex, and some other necessities for the school.  I’m doing my best to make sure that he has everything he needs to make this big transition from his daycare provider, Joan, to an actual classroom environment.  I worry about the little things like naptime and how he enjoys a cuddle and has been able to get that from Joan.  I worry about him sitting still and not disrupting the class during circle time in the morning.  I worry about him being scared and thinking I’m not coming back for him.  I worry a little bit about everything.

All in all, I think we are all set.  I have his pillow and blanket packed and his lunch ready to go.  I have his name written on the tag of his coat and have been explaining to him all weekend that he’s going to his “Big Boy School” tomorrow.  I’m steeling myself for the time I hand him over tomorrow morning and I’m trying to prepare myself to NOT cry…at least until I get to the car.

How was your child’s first day at daycare or Montessori School?  Was the transition a rough one, or did it go well?  Share your experiences with the other Mommy’s, but mostly share them with me.  I need a big internet hug from my fellow moms out there.