This week has been emotional and has made me somewhat anxious.
Ryker started school and he was excited.
I am a planner and I thought I had it all figured out. But I didn't.
Let's start with orientation. I thought that Ryker was to go to school on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. I would be off on Thursday and would get to be home with the boys all day. I found out that his days would actually be Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. I almost cried on the spot (crazy I know). This was not how I planned it all summer. I quickly began to calm down and think about the fact that I could volunteer in Ryker's classroom once a month or whenever on Thursdays. I'm coming to terms with this. :)
I planned since we registered Ryker for school that I would take the first day of school off work. This would allow Brock and I to drop him off together and pick him up together. It made perfect sense to me. Last week, my boss told me that this just wasn't a possibility. We were too short staffed and I just couldn't have the day off. Bummer. At least I got to go in late to work on Tuesday. I still got to drop him off.
Tuesday-First day of school. I was so excited for Ryker, but also emotional. It is completely understandable to be emotional, but I was determined not to cry (which I didn't...until we got in the van after we left)! I couldn't wait until I got off work to go and see how the first day of school went. When I got in the van, I turned around and looked at Ryker. "How was your first day, buddy?!" His response? "I cried all during nap time because I wanted you and daddy." That was not a part of the plan. He walked in to the school just fine. We barely got a goodbye out of him. The next day Ryker stated the same thing. He said he didn't want to nap at school and he wished he could leave before lunch like his friends.
I was already anxious about Ryker starting school and this didn't help. He is pretty easy going when it comes to going places and I knew that he must be pretty upset. It took an hour for him to fall asleep last night because he didn't want to go to school and take a nap. I know my son...I know that when it comes to bedtime, it's hard enough. I didn't need anything else getting in the way of bedtime. Brock and I talked and we decided if we could work it out, we would switch him to half days.
I fully know that he could have gotten used to going to school all day. I fully know that by switching him to half days we could run the risk of him trying to throw a fit about anything he wants. I ALSO know that he is only 3. He will have plenty of time to go to school ALL day and I am 100% ok with this decision. I'm actually relieved and he is happy. When I told him this afternoon that he only has to go to school in the morning, it was almost like you could see relief on his face.
So, instead of worrying about what others will think, I want to tell you that I made a good decision today. My Ryker is still going to school and learning. He is excited to go to school and he is excited that he gets to come home or go to Kelley's in the afternoon. I'm thankful that my husband listened to my worries and thankful for friends willing to help out so that we could make this work!
