After Jessie’s time in school last year and a very successful first day this term, she showed promise for easy transition each day. Jessie had a great first day of school. Her second day resembled the day before less and more like the school days last year. Each morning I parked and walked with Jessie to the school gym to wait in the Pre-K line with her. When the lines were dismissed by grade to go to their classes, I’d walk Jessie to her room and then leave.
The second school day brought the first wave of tears. We stood in the Pre-K line and I held my crying girl. She was able to pull herself together in the gym only to have a complete hysterical breakdown in her classroom. Every day the first week was the same routine. Crying and clinging in the gym and then a breakdown in the classroom. I had to pry her backpack off her and then pry her off of me. She was almost okay in the arms of one of her teachers and then I’d sneak out.
When I returned to school to pick her up she was in high spirits. She was excited to talk about school and tell me how it was too hot to go outside to play. Her teachers assured me every day that she was fine about five minutes after I left. I wasn’t worried.
So now we’re in week two of the school year. I will not drive up in the drop off line and let her out. I will continue to walk her to the gym. She hasn’t wanted to enter the gym, but is fine as soon as a teacher takes her hand. She’ll soon skip into the gym like she skips through the parking lot and up to the door.