Friday, September 21, 2007

Hey Bub, Where you goin' with that lunch bag in yo' hand?



My little man started his first week of school this past Wednesday.

Harlan has loved carrying a bag around for a while now, and for once he is carrying one that he actually needs: His new Cream Cram lunch bag!

I told you all that I would find a way in despite names that were deposited on waiting lists while the students were still in-utero!

Actually, it is because of this blog that Harlan made his debut at a tony pre-school this week. A wonderful woman here in Austin ("R") e-mailed me a while back to let me know where I could buy Violet Crumbles in town. We wrote back and forth a couple of times and she recently wrote after reading my post about not being able to get Harlan a spot in a reputable local pre-school. She told me about a wonderful school right in the neighborhood ( a huge relief now that I am spending way too much time in the car) that her son had gone to. "R" recommended that I call the school director and tell her that we knew each other. It worked.


The first day I left Harlan in loving hands I was elated; proud of my independent and social son who waved bye-bye to me non-chalantly as he ran off to play some other kids.

The second day was not so easy. The third day even less so as I had to drive away watching Harlan weep at the realization that I was not staying with him. I spent this morning feeling like a wretched mother, abandoning her first born. I know of course that everything Harlan is experiencing is normal and that he will quickly acclimate to his new fun-filled mornings at school, but you can't reason with me when today was the first time I had to walk away from my crying baby.

8 comments:

Green Kitchen said...

My husband always says that we are too weak to have children, and we are. You sound strong, though. I didn't expect the hard part of parenting to be the sad moments and sick stuff. I was just ready for the tantrum type stuff, which I haven't even experienced. Glad you are settling into your surroundings.

{kimmymade} said...

{{{hugs}}}

so glad you were able to find harlan a fabulous preschool, though! and he looks so grown-up with his supercool bag :-)

Angelina said...

There's nothing to reason about. You just have to crack open the vodka and have yourself an early morning tipple.

Just kidding. I never do that.

Cry if you need to. Or be sad. I think you just have to go through it if you experience that.

Lindellica said...

He does look so grown-up! Grats on getting him in, that's amazing news! And it'll be okay. He'll adjust and enjoy it and catch lots of colds and have a grand old time...

Daryl said...

Oh ((J)) .. that is so sad .. but think how less stressful it will be when he goes a full day .. I miss you sooo much

dottie angel said...

i don't think it makes any difference what age your child or children are, when they start school or move to a bigger school it gets me every time...my first born started high school this september and i didn't think anything of it until she left at 6:30am on the first day and i closed the door and thought to myself "she's really starting to leave me now, it's just a matter of a few years" i admit to 'sniffing' lots of tears these past weeks when i think about her growing up...

allow yourself to have those tears it is perfectly normal, i'd be worried if you didn't :)

Anonymous said...

ahhh, the transition is so tough. hang in there, mama!! hopefully he'll soon be bonding with new friends and excellent teachers.

sulu-design said...

I found you from a sweet comment you posted on Bitter Betty's blog today, and come to find that we have some silly things in common. I'm an ex-New Yorker who just moved to Portland, and I am obsessed with Ausitn. Obsessed. I, too, have some horror moving stories, too...
Anyway, glad to have found you here. Best of luck on getting settled.