It didn't start out right. Ignatius was uncooperative, and whiney, and clingey, and throwing his crying tantrums. And we haven't even mentioned SCHOOL yet... Sigh...is this how is it going to be from now on?
We tried to be patient...we don't want an angry stubborn rebellious boy in school. With much difficulty, we managed to leave the house only slightly late.
When we arrived at 820am, he seemed ok. Wandered around the place, visiting the rooms he knows has toys, and finally ended up at the outdoor section where the other kids were eating their breakfast. His classmate Alexandria (Alex) arrived, sobbing terribly (she's only been there 1 mth) and sat with him while she tried to calm down.
After he finished his 2nd brekkie at about 8.40am, I wanted to moved back inside but Ignatius wanted to play with the ride-ons. So I told him I'm going in, and come to look for me when he's ready to come in. He carried on by himself and only started looking around and calling for me after about 5-10mins. No crying...just...searching. He finally decided to come indoors to look for me, and was satisfied when he saw me sitting there. He then proceeded to play, not bothering about me again. I took this chance to "disappear" outside. This is 845am.
General assembly started at 9am. By then, he had already started to look for me, wandering around from room to room, going Mommy wear you? ... but still no crying. When the other kids gathered and started singing songs, he got slightly agitated, and the calls for Mommy got louder. But I remained hidden. I asked the teachers how he was doing inside, and they said, some tearing, but no crying...yet. They thought he was doing great. I was feeling quite happy and proud.
By about 930am, I noticed that his class' assistant teacher had started carrying him. Hmmm...not a good sign to me. Means he probably started crying, but not full blown yet. Ok, I started to get slightly nervous at this point. I asked his form teacher what I should do, and she said he's doing great, continue to stay outside, and she'll call me in around 10plus. oh my gosh!...that's like an ETERNITY away! Pacing around, I started hearing him sob. To me, it sounded so pitiful. ARGH!
At around 9.45am, they broke up into their classes and Ignatius' class proceeded to do art work. Their classroom was at the end of the hall, and I was at the other end, sitting on the bench. I wanted to walk over to eavesdrop, but the teachers said DON'T PEEP! If he sees you, he'll cry even more!... ok, so I know that too...but I only wanted to listen! By about 950am, he was REALLY crying. So much so that they had to remove him from the class as he was setting others off too. I was getting really distrought as well, and was sms-ing Cayden's mom for support. I was on the verge of tears. I kept hearing him calling Mommy Mommy Mommy ah!!! My heart was breaking and there was NOTHING I could do.
I sneaked over to the class, and tried to catch the form teacher's eye. She signalled NO NO NO and whispered I'll call you. Dang. Still must wait. I started pacing again.
Now it was 10am. 10AM! Isn't it time for me to rush in and save the day? Yet the teacher said, wait. It was all I could do not to scream. He was crying so badly!!!
At around 10.10am, she finally gave the green light. I rushed to the door and Ignatius was there. He collapsed into my arms and the crying miraculously stopped. I had to pretend to be really happy and get him to tell me what he had done in my absence. He hugged me for dear life, and wouldn't let go... FOR ABOUT 5-10mins.
Here's the best part of the day.
After that, he ran off to play and I was forgotten. DAMN! Although, he did turn around now and then to check if I was still there.
*sob*
For the rest of the day, I remained with him, but hanging towards the fringe of the activities. He was ok, didn't need me much. Just wanted to know I was around.
Sigh.
So, ... I am glad I guess that he's more or less OK with the school. Else he'll be stuck to me like glue, and not playing with the others. I wonder how I should tackle his security problem though...
I've been asking him about his form teacher and his friends at home...hoping he'll like them enough to want to go to school... they're still too new to him for much reaction. Let's see how it goes.
Any thoughts?
phantominecat said...
poor thing......sayang both mummy and iggy.......
hey...hey......must remember to say good bye to him before you go off.....and say you will be back soon.....cannot just sneak off, else he will not let you out of his sight even again......
said...
Brave mummy and brave little boy. I know I'll break down there n then.
He's so adorable in that hip-hop looking uniform :)
Anyway, I agree wif Jamie that you need to hug him, kiss him or whatever routine u did when u leave him every morning b4 he started cc.
Stick to the same routine now.
Don't sneak out.
And don't do 2 goodbyes.
A tip to ease the transition -
Get to know his schedule.
Eg, morning bf, play time, read time, lunch, sleep etc. Know the sequence.
Every morning rattle off his schedule and then tell him that you'll be back after his nap (eg).
Or in this case, that he'll be home after lunch (is it?), then he'll see por-por, then he'll sleep and wake and mummy's back!
That's what we did with Qis.
After awhile, she'll say to us - must sleep, play then see papa?
In away, we r helping them tell time.
*hug*
hope everything works out well.
said...
hi hi Auntie H and J
Yeah...the teachers also keep emphasizing to us on the proper goodbyes. Must remember only ONE gdbye.
well it's so far so good, i'm crossing my fingers!