The {little} man in my house is embarking on a very big transition this week: preschool.
Honestly, I didn’t have preschool in mind for him. He’s my baby, after all. I feared preschool would–and I know this might sound silly–but I feared preschool would “mean him up.”
I don’t want him meaned up. I like him as is.
He comes to me in his t-shirt and spidey undies every morning–sleep still heavy on his breath–and asks me to rock him. Only he can’t make the “k” sound so it goes more like will you rott me?
And then I hold out my hand and wait for him to grab tight. Together we walk to the four-year-old brown velour rocker in the corner of his bedroom.
He excitedly curls up into the same position on my lap every single time, knowing precisely how to bend and tuck so as to fit just right. We rock. Sometimes we read books. Mostly, though, we talk.
He tells me that my earrings are beautiful, and that they make me look like a beautiful princess (his daddy taught him the fine art of flattery). He gives me smoochie boochies and asks if they are the best four-year-old smoochie boochies ever. We talk about when he “popped out of my tummy” and how even if I could have picked any baby in all the world I still would have chosen him.
I’m afraid that if he goes off to preschool, he’ll come home each day with his edges just a touch grittier than they were when he left.
And also? The very reason he’s going to school is so as to correct an articulation delay.
An articulation delay that, for the time being, I happen to find irresistible.
Come fourth grade, it might not be as cute.
So I’m letting go.
But only a little.
And only because I have to.
Wish us luck.
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Ah, sweet boy. I completely understand your concern here. Catie’s preschool experience was lousy. Thankfully, though, I am the only person I know who can say that, and everyone else has *loved* pre-K. Praying that will be the case for you as well!
(hugs) Momma. Letting go – even just a little – is tough stuff.
I am crying. Seriously. My baby boy goes off to preschool soon too. And while he doesn’t have the speech issue, I do, however, have this same fear. And I was thinking the same thing as he was cuddled next to me in bed this morning.
Awh I just love the relationship you two have. Nothing compares to a Momma’s boy. I hope preschool is all you want it to be.
I hope he has fun! And in all honesty, I think he will still want to “rott” with you cuz you are his mommy and he loves you!
I hope he loves it, and I hope that you find peace as well! I just love having a little boy – they are so sweet. Mine is only 21 months but I’m already dreading the start of school. I was watching the neighbor girl board the school bus while her parents video taped it, and I was BAWLING! Lord help me!
Watching them grow up is bittersweet, isn’t it? I can’t believe K will be 4 in 9 days. Unreal. Absolutely unreal.
i just took my 4-yr-old daughter to preschool this a.m. and i am sending her in hopes to also correct a “speech issue” that i absolutely adore! and have the exact same thing about her as you about your boy: cute now but probably not so much in 5th grade ;) i have no advice as i am in that same boat with you!
I was just telling someone today about how adorable his speech is…
I was sad when Jack’s ‘r’ was fixed… but he’s bound to come home with even cuter stuff. (Remember the hamster stories??)
Hang in there Mom. Nicolas had two fabulous years at pre-school. It worked out well for him as he had fine motor delays due to his prematurity. He still came home wanting to snuggle with Mommy. I’m thinking of you this week!
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