Preschool Dropout

It's official. We jumped the gun and Aid was not as ready as I thought. I think it was a total fluke that our first day went so well.

Ever since it has been a rough transition on all of us. The last two attempts I have not even been able to get him out of the car, let alone into the classroom. We have technically made it to school, where we sit for about 20 minutes in the parking lot with a sobbing/pleading Aid and a super anxious guilt ridden me.

I have started noticing other things too. Aid has not been willing to leave my side, even for a moment. He is clingy to the point of exasperation. He is whiny. Super super whiny. I have been hiding from him in other rooms just to get away. And I found myself in the middle of multiple power struggles, yelling, "I am the mom!"

I called my friend Emilie on our latest parking lot session and asked for advice. I tried to negotiate with Aid. Then I called my mom. Then I asked Aid... "Are you mad at me?" The answer? "yes!" "Aidee NO LIKE BIG SCHOOL!!!" "Ok.....I give. You aren't ready. No more big school ok?"

He has been back to his normal self ever since. Well, almost. We went to a play date this morning and he lost his mind. He was freaking out. I could not make him believe we were not going to school. It took him a little while to warm up but at some point I saw him sprint by and realized he was once again my happy and secure little boy.

He wasn't ready. End of story. I'm ready for him to be ready. But he's not ready and it isn't about me. Even though me and Grant hated ECFE, Aid LOVED it. I misread that for him being ready for something more instead of letting him just enjoy the phase he was in. It was a really positive step for him that he looked forward to. So why would I take that away and push something on him that he obviously is struggling with so much? As my mom said, "He's 3!" He doesn't HAVE to do this right now.

So we aren't doing it right now. He'll be ready when he's ready.


I love you Aid. I want you to know that while I am willing to take on any ridiculous power struggle you throw at me, I also respect you and your feelings. You can always talk to me about what you are feeling and I will do my absolute best to support you and come to a compromise we can both live with.