So, I really do love seeing your adorable children on social media. 4 years ago, not so much. But today with two of my own…abso-freaking-lutely. The cuter the better. I went to extremes with Luke. OMG, Luke’s first tooth. OMG, Luke’s first bite of food. OMG, Luke’s first fart. I tried to tone it down some with Eden, but I know you all are sitting there behind your technology laughing because you and I both know I didn’t/haven’t/won’t tone it down. I mean, she’s just so cu…. you get the point.
Okay. Now that that’s been said. The chalkboards. I think they are nice. A really great touch for the first and last days of school. Hell, if my kids were going to school I’d probably have them doing the same…but that really brings me to the point of this post. IF THEY WERE GOING TO SCHOOL.
Now, I know just as much as the next person how hard it is to be a working mother. Or should I say “work away from home” mother. I don’t want the mommy warriors slinging poop at me. I work. Being a stay at home mother is work. I work. Being a “work out of the home” mother is work. Been there, done that… on both sides. Fortunately for me, or maybe unfortunately depending how you judge I have always had my mom around to help out. Yeah, baby! Free child labor. Er, I mean free labor to watch my children.
However, Luke has never been to school. He has never really been on many play dates. Poor boy doesn’t have many friends. Yet. Mentally, physically…no issues. (Let me take off my biased mommy glasses) Okay, very few issues. He speaks clearly and fluently. He knows all his colors, ABCs, shapes, every single automobile invented by mankind, can count to 15, sings “Let It Go” on an octave that makes the dogs cry…he does the dishes, vacuums, makes his bed…did I mention child labor? You get the point.
But, my son has EXTREME separation anxiety. I suppose that’s what you call it. Like, I’m talking to the ultimate degree. I just suddenly had this vision, of 15-year-old Luke reading this on some futuristic fancy computer screen and turning bright red…. *note to self: delete this entry before he can read* But for realz….he can make himself vomit on command if he is upset enough, and would go into a catatonic shock if someone he was unfamiliar with was around and I (or his dad) wasn’t.
Keep in mind, he is 2 1/2. But I see kids younger than him holding up those chalkboards with Pottery Barn Kids book bags and goofy smiles jazzed to go to school. So my question, should I be concerned? Let’s be real. When it’s finally Luke’s time to hold the chalkboard will I be able to write something cutsie like: “When I grow up I want to be a firefighter.” All I envision Luke saying: “When I grow up I’m going to strike revenge on my mother for making me hold this sign and go to school.”
Seriously, I weep for the future. Mainly because I usually weep after cleaning up his vomit from our car, clothes, and carpet.
A vicious cycle, indeed.
Martha
September 3, 2015 at 10:35 amHang in there momma…when the necessity comes to separate for school or whatever Luke will make the transition!
Shanisty
September 3, 2015 at 11:14 amThanks Martha!! It’s so frustrating sometimes, but I know it’s just a bad phase.
Elizabeth - your long lost news bestie ;)
September 3, 2015 at 11:34 amSouthern is the same way! He used to scream bloody murder if an old lady spoke to him in the grocery store, or sit in the road and cry if a neighbor waved while we were out walking. He is getting much better, but still panicks if a stranger gets too close. So…I actually decided to put him in a 2 year program in hopes that it will help! He starts next week .. so I’ll keep you posted 😉
Shanisty
September 3, 2015 at 11:53 amYeah, please keep me posted EG. I’m going to send Luke to preschool just wanted to wait until he’s 3 years old. Idk, parenting is SO HARD!!! but I choose it over a homicide anyway 😁
Martyman
September 3, 2015 at 12:03 pmHey Shanisty, we went through this sort of thing with my daughter (who is now a sophomore @ UK) more than my son, who had no problem at all saying goodbye. As a matter of fact, he’d run off w/o saying goodbye. My daughter got over it when she went on to pre-school and was more or less forced to deal with the separation and they do deal with it. Through tears and clinging on, we got through it w/o any visible scars. You guys will, too. Love your stories!
Shanisty
September 3, 2015 at 12:15 pmThanks for sharing, Marty! Yeah…I suppose it’s just a matter of time…he can’t run off to college this way, right 😉 Also- at least I don’t have to worry about him leaving with a stranger. The stranger would actually return him!! haha
Jayme
September 3, 2015 at 12:12 pmJust keep repeating to yourself….It’s all a phase, it’s all a phase… Well, this is what I say to myself daily. LOL. I work part time every day so the kids are already going to daycare. Even so, Mason goes through times where we have to literally pry him off of us, hand him over to the teacher and run. I believe around the 2 1/2 mark that happened as well.
Shanisty
September 3, 2015 at 12:14 pmYeah, I’ve found some days are harder than others. When we go to the store…some days he will scream in a stranger’s face…others, he’s a freaking Walmart greeter at the front door wishing everyone a great day. It’s all a phase. It’s all a phase…. 🙂
Ingrid
September 3, 2015 at 2:57 pmKierstin’s first year was last year as an almost 5 yr old! I tried MDO with her before but it wasn’t a good fit and pulled her out after a month! Crew (will be 3 in Nov) has never been and not sure he will next year either. He loves his mama and DOES NOT want to go to school! He verbalizes it often! Ha! Love you and your blogs!
Shanisty
September 4, 2015 at 10:31 amThanks Ingrid! I know we’ve discussed this before, and it sounds like our kids are very similar. I find comfort in the fact that you never did MDO and your kids are perfectly normal and awesome! Love you. xx
Jill (Dittmer) Hafeli
September 4, 2015 at 10:23 amShans – love the post! Most weeks, I keep the girls home with me on Friday. I ATTEMPT to work from home as well…and let me just say it’s the hardest day of the week! That being said, both my girls go to daycare AKA “School” all the other days of the week (though they go year round…so no chalkboards here, either!). Sounds like Luke is super smart and definitely at the same or higher level as all the other toddlers our there. If you do want to socialize him more, maybe start slow…like hit up a library reading hour with other kids his age. I find it super helpful for S to have friends her age and I really enjoy hanging out with other parents who share in the crazy of raising a toddler.
Shanisty
September 4, 2015 at 10:30 amJilly,
Thanks for sharing. Yeah, we’ve done library days when we lived in Lexington. He likes it, but has zero interest in participating in the singing and dancing…like he ain’t got time for dat. haha. I take him to the pool, and he interacts well with other children. He’s shy and likes to watch what they are going to do first, but he has no major issues sharing, etc. His doctor told me he may be at a higher level than average for this age…hence, his ability to logically think through what would get his way and make strangers scram the fastest…but who knows? The 2s and 3s are tough! However, I’m sure all ages have their pluses and minuses. xx
Meg Ireland
September 4, 2015 at 10:06 pmHe will be fine. He has been through A LOT OF TRANSITION in his short life, so you and Jeff have been his stability through all the moves and changes. You are giving him the greatest foundation – a warm, loving family. The close family relationships will give him security and the ability later to branch out. As I said, he will be fine!