Ahhhhhhh my baby boy has gone to pre school. After the events of cheeky's 2nd birthday, and his reaction to a full house, i promised him and myself that i would address his 'seperation anxiety' as i believe it is called. Cheeky had it bad. His anxiety reared its ugly head on many occasions... and mainly occasions.. if that makes sense. Bless him he just looooovvvvvess his Mama! Anyway, i knew it was unhealthy and progressively getting worse as he was getting older. Most people advised oh, mine did it too, he will grow out of it, but i knew deep down he need a bit of gentle persuasion. So after a huge amount of research on how to tackle this i decided early pre school was definitely an option. We found a lovely pre school that takes children from age two and supports potty training.... for those of you who have looked at pre schools, you will know that many do not. So off we went for a visit! Cheeky would not even let me put him down when we were visiting he was really clinging on to me. The teacher was really unsure, and made it quite clear that she didn't think he would settle, but went ahead to arrange a 'settling in' day all the same.
On our settling in day the following Tuesday, cheeky was once again clinging to me, but he did play, as long as i was literally sat next to him, he really kept his eye on me. After a little while one of the helpers came and engrossed him in some pretend play... a little pretend tea party (aw) he was really enjoying himself and allowed Mama to take a step back. Now unfortunately our first 'settling in' session did not get off to a great start given the confusing and somewhat different approaches of the teachers and helpers. I was told at this point that it would be a good idea to sneak away for 20 minutes and see how he goes. Off i went and waited outside. The confusion began here, but i won't go into it as its dealt with now. Cheeky realised i had left and started to ask for me with a touch of panic in his voice. He wasn't going to allow me to leave him just yet. We went back the next day after a lengthy conversation about the conflicting views and opinions, for another go. This time i was advised to take him inside, settle him with an activity, say goodbye and that i would be back soon and off i went. Wow, cheeky really flipped, screaming and throwing himself around, and i just had to walk away, i really bolted, desperate not to hear him upset, whilst knowing i was actually helping him. This time he stayed an hour. He didn't really settle down, and spent most of his hour with one of the helpers outside. When i collected him he was sobbing and stopped in and instant when i cuddled him. He was elated to say goodbye 'bye bye pre school, bye bye friends' bless him. Off we went again the next day and then the first day of the next week. Just leaving him for an hour and then sharing the rest of the pre school session with him. He was really settling in. Still crying when i left, and liking to stand by the door for 10 minutes before he got involved, but each time i returned being told he had done better each time. Then came the day of his first full session!! Once again he freaked when i left... but upon my return i was told he had done really well, he had be a little stand off ish with the other children but a definite improvement. Cheeky is on his third week at pre school now and although he still gets upset when i leave, he quickly calms and enjoys it. He tells me about it and even asks to go sometimes on a day when he isn't there. I am so proud of cheeky.... so unbelievably proud. He has completely changed, He is so much more confident that Mama will return and is so much happier to go off and play on play dates and playgroup visits. He doesn't feel the need to jump up or cry every time i so much as move. He is happy to go and play, even in other peoples houses without watching my every move whilst he does so. I love that he is still always so happy to see me. He always strokes my face when i am back to collect him, smiling, and cuddles and kisses me, 'its mummy, its my mummy'. Wow i love this boy, what an amazing, amazing little person he is becoming. Proud of you cheeky boy! You brighten every single day! xxx
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