It was the kind of chaos six two-year-olds, a room full of toys, and twelve nervous parents would inveitably create. There were some tears, some possessiveness, and a lot of apologies. We knew Lou was stressed when he began breathing so loud and hard we saw his nostrils quivering. Yesterday was the first day of preschool.

Lou, at 18 months, is the youngest child by at least six months. Some of them are nearly three. They speak in sentences, know their colors, and have no trouble navigating the playground. Lou said not one word, is too small to sit in the chairs, and hurts himself going down the slide. He cried several times, but especially when it was time to put away the toys. And when the other kids shut the door of the playground castle, with him inside.

Maybe I'm wrong to be so worried about him. I don't want my own insecurities to hold him back. Yet, he seemed such a little baby, unready to leave his mother. Will it be traumatic for him if I leave him there, alone, in the two-year old chaos? Will he become insecure, clingy, and afraid? Or will he become more independent, and even outgoing? How can I know the outcome, the right decision? Welcome to motherhood, where the stakes always look exceedingly high.

Pauvre bouchon ! Mais je suppose que vous pouvez ne le laisser que pour de petites journées, ou des demi-journées ? Quand il aura fait la connaissance des grosses brutes, peut-être qu'ils se révéleront de charmants camarades de jeux, en fin de compte… ;-)

You're going to laugh at me when I tell you... preschool is 2 1/2 hours on Friday mornings.

:-D
(je pense que ça ira…)

I know how you feel. Seth was the youngest when he started preschool a couple years ago. It's not easy. We had to stay with him a lot in the beginning too.

One line that really helped was this: "Mommy and Daddy ALWAYS come back." He used to chant this phrase like a monk.

The long-term benefits have been obvious. Seth is much stronger in social settings than either my wife or I were at that age.

But make no mistake about it, you will need to monitor your school and Lou's classmates. I've intervened with the teachers several time, when I saw them tolerating bad behavior.

but it will work out.

Happy first day of school to Lou and to you Jessica, well hang in there it's a rough road motherhood. If only the first days at preschool were the toughest...later there will be sports, dances, cars, phone call, friends and teenage secrets. Hopefully, you will conquer it all...just remember it happens for only one day out of a life time.

Love, Mom