It was a big day for the littlest Robinson at the end of April, it was his first day of Pre school! This day seems to have come around quickly, he is not quite 3 and it feels like just yesterday we were bringing him home from the hospital. On the other hand he is definitely a master of his own destiny and we felt like he was more than ready to begin his school journey. We began the first day by nipping out to the front gate to take a few photo's before setting off to drop his big sister at primary school. Next stop was the pre school, it was the first settling in session. I stayed for an hour and we played with the cars, the train set and the lego. Then I quietly said I was going to go for a coffee and i'd be back to pick him up later. He was so engrossed in what he was doing he didn't reply. I then sat with a coffee finding it hard to relax wondering if he was ok. An hour later when I went back to collect him, although he gave me a big cheeky grin he didn't seem that fussed about coming home with me! Was it a one off? if he realised this was going to be a regular thing would he start to cling to me as I tried to leave? It was a few days before his next session (he's only going a couple of mornings a week) This time he confidently walked in and went straight to the cars. I followed him and said "I'm off now." This time he replied "Bye MeMe". (not sure why but that's what he calls me) Right then, thats my cue to leave.......I almost wanted to repeat myself maybe he didn't understand. Surely it couldn't be this easy. After years of struggling to leave his older sister without lots of tears and tantrums (from her not me!), It really has been that easy, even on his 3rd settling in day it seemed like he actually wanted to go. Maybe it's because is the second child, maybe it's because he has spent his whole life taking his big sister to school so doesn't see a big deal with being left or maybe it's just who he is. Whatever the reason I hope it continues. On the last settling session he stayed for lunch, as soon at we left the carpark he was fast asleep, I managed to transfer him successfully from the car seat to the sofa (amazing the skills we develop as parents.) I think if I had let him he would have slept for hours, I had to wake him after 2 for fear of him not wanting to go to bed. The school have sent me the following email: 'We are so pleased at how well he has settled in this term. He is a pretty solid character and has got stuck in to everything - with the occasional cuddle enroute!' So to all you mums (and dads) that are about to leave your child for the first time it is without doubt one of the hardest things you will have to do. Your child may cry floods of tears resulting in you doing the same once you reach the car park, or they may walk in and not even give you a second glance at you leaving. Whatever reaction they have remember that this is an important part of their development and independence. It is ok to worry if they are ok, if they ate their lunch, if they played nicely with the other children as parents thats part of our learning too. Life is a balance of holding on and letting go - Rumi
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