So Athan started day care this week. We have signed him up for two days a week. He did alright, we were told.
 First day was only a half day for him so that he could slowly ease into the full day program. Second day was slightly longer — he was picked up at 3pm. On both days, he screamed and kicked real hard when I left him. I felt really really really horrible and guilty. I have been through such experience with Calvin before when he first started day care, but it did not help me at all when I have to face it the second time. I probably felt even worse in a sense that I wished my child did not have to go through such *pain*. sigh.
Anyway.
I had to be firm with Athan and I made sure a carer took him and stayed with him before I left. I always rang later to check on him and I was told on both days that Athan was fine after the crying and screaming. I felt better, but I know that it will take time for him to fully adjust to day care. Next week might be more challenging in a sense that he could be crying and protesting at the gate of the centre now that he knows where he is going. That happened to Calvin …..We’ll see. They tend to go through cycles.
Robin is a lot more positive than me with regards to Athan going to day care. He seems so relax and confident that the boy will be OK. Truth be told, the centre that we have chosen is a good one. The carers have been working there for many years and they are so relax about children crying and protesting etc etc. That has made me somewhat more relieved. Robin fetched Athan on both days and he said that Athan was playing really well at the centre. I think that’s a good sign.
Athan has been more cranky and clingy these few days at home. I immediately link it to the day care — that he is afraid that I am going to leave him. However, he also has a runny nose at the moment, and so it could also be the reason for his clingy behaviour. In any case, I do have to be extra patient with him and have to keep on reassuring him that I’m there for him. It’s not easy.
As for Calvin, he is adjusting really well at kindy. Thank God. He seems to enjoy going to school and when I asked him what he did at school, he said “play!”. I think that’s exactly what they did. He has also made a few new friends and I think that has made going to school enjoyable for him as well. They are learning about family these few weeks and we have been asked to give a copy of our recent family photo to the teacher. I’ll wait and see what they are up to.
Calvin has been behaving quite well lately although I have to add that he can be very challenging to deal with. He is a sensitive child and he does not like it when I talk to him in a very firm tone or when I scold him or raise my voice at him — especially when he thinks that he is not in the wrong. He reacts very strongly to such situations and it can take a long time for him to settle. He could be crying and screaming and stomping his feet or he could be throwing things. I do have to watch myself on how I deal with him and the words that I use and of course, my tone. He reacts better if I can reason with him calmly. He wants to have a say as well …. *sigh* And, I have to listen. That really needs a lot of patience and careful listening because I need to be able to reason with him and point out what is wrong and unacceptable from the things he said to me. I thought I should pause and listen to my boy because if I stop him right there, he might not want to open up to me anymore.  Not easy. I know…. he is growing up …… real fast.