Welcome to Kindergarten, London!
Week before school starts:
London is obviously tense about starting school. He SAYS he’s excited, but won’t go too in-depth on what he thinks will happen or what it will be like. He’s quiet and agitated.
1st Day:
Because Lisa is not an early riser and has never sent a child to school before, she times everything wrong and has London rushing through his morning with an improper breakfast and stressful interactions. Somehow they all still got there on time at 7:55am.
The school invited all the parents to stay for an hour and a half and meet the teacher, ask questions and help their children not feel abandoned.
During this time the kindergarteners were asked to sit in a circle on the rug. London acted as if he were being bid, “Verabschieden” at the Berlin Wall.
While London cried and begged to stay with Ben and Lisa, Graham was running over to take his brother’s place on the rug.
Once the boys were in their respective spots and the Q and A time had ended it was time for the families to leave.
This is where Lisa and Graham hugged and kissed London and left the room, while Ben stayed behind and preformed his fatherly duties of instilling bravery in little boys.
No, it didn’t work entirely and yes, London remained behind.
Upon picking London up at 3:16pm Lisa was a bundle of excited and anxious nerves to see how her first born’s first day had gone.
Ms. Cunningham said that London stopped crying a couple minutes after being left and spent the rest of his day helping out and cooperating.
Partial success!
2nd Day:
London was dropped off quickly and seemed slightly shocked that it was all happening again, he didn’t have time to cry until after Lisa had left, this bout was also short.
He helped water plants and got a red star for good behavior.
3rd Day:
London was hysterical at drop-off. Lisa eventually left him in the arms of his teacher and was told at the end of the day that he was fine minutes after drop-off and had another good day.
Weekend:
Over the weekend London didn’t want to talk about school. He didn’t seem upset, just appeared to be processing the last few days.
On Sunday Gramma Nita asked him about school:
Gramma, “What do you do at school?”
London, “Nothing.”
Gramma, “ What does your teacher do?”
London, “Nothing, she just stands there.”
Gramma, “What do you eat at school? Do you nap?”
London, “Yes, I eat toast and take naps.”
Gramma, “So you just eat toast and nap while your teacher stands there?”
London, “Yes.”
4th Day:
At breakfast London declared, “I will not cry today, Mommy.” At drop-off a tear started to form, but London asked for a hug then squared his shoulders, smiled and sniffed up coming tears. He went off to class without making a scene.
Total success!
5th Day:
At his locker, London showed excitement, bravery and acceptance. He hugged Lisa, then walked away smiling and waving and said, “See ya later, mom!”
He’s since made a friend, Deacon, and shows excitement about school in general.
And so started London’s school career.
