As the title suggests, today was Maddie’s first day of school. Now she went to that toddler fun class last winter and spring but with me by her side. Today she out of the nest for the first time all by herself with all new people and kids as well as a whole new foreign place.
Before I rant on how it was more nerve-wracking for me and my wife and that she had a good day at her school I want to give a little advice first.
“Just Walk Away. Drop off the child and just walk away.”
I wish our folks had the foresight to tell us that. My wife and I even kinda knew this sage wisdom instinctively but we foolishly went against good nature and thought when we shouldn’t have thought. We said “good-bye and have a good day.” How could you not. She was already exploring her new environment not looking for us and we had to remind her that we weren’t staying. She cried. And cried intermittently for the first hour but for the remaining two hours she was fine. We tell our folks what we did and they tell us, “you never say goodbye.” Thanks for the heads-up.
But she survived and even liked it. Has been talking about it all day. She even seems cockier or more self-confident too. She keeps reminding us that her drawings are on the refrigerator. We are extremely proud and a little sad.
Time is flying so fast. She’s not even two and a half and already she’s in preschool. My wife has been in a daze all day and I think she’s a tad depressed that our baby is already making teachers laugh and bringing home stuff for the fridge. I’m just happy that she liked it and that we, as parents, survived the leaving her with strangers bit. I’m a bit pissed we made her cry by saying farewell but it wasn’t a disaster and turned out great in the end like most new things Maddie experiences.
Poppa Penguin 
September 6th, 2011 at 3:01 PM
So sorry for not giving you the heads up, but usually the teachers take the kids & wave the parents off. I am surprised that they did not do that. She is a trooper, though. Remember when she fractured her ankle? Nothing was going to stop her from anything she wanted to do & she passed it all with flying colors. We, as parents, feel the anxiety, worry & nervousness so much more than the kids. I remember how I felt with your first day of school. My heart was in my throat until I picked you up & saw you were fine & had fun. Maddie is a great little girl, who will roll with the punches. She will grow to like school as time goes on & will look forward to going. So hang in there my son, your little girl is growing up before our eyes. And she will do just fine. It is a little sad, though. I want her to stay little forever & she is growing up too fast. But like you said, this is one of the many new experiences of Maddie with much more to come.