On Griffin’s first day of Mother’s Day Out on Wednesday we started the morning like any other morning, except I talked up school BIG time! I cheered that Griffin was going to a cool school just like Bubba does. I told him he was going to have so much fun, was going to make new friends, and play with all the toys he saw last week when we met his teachers. He looked at me like, “Whatever.” On the way to school my stomach was in knots. Griffin sat in the back seat playing with Woody and Buzz completely oblivious about what was to come.
As we walked to his classroom Griffin ran all the way. We greeted his teachers and he walked right into the classroom. As i was putting his things in his cubby, he came over to hand me his coveted Buzz Lightyear. Very encouraging! I told the teachers goodbye and left. There were no tears that I could hear.
I wondered all day how he was doing. At pick up I saw him playing, but as soon as he saw me, he burst into tears. I think it was a mix of happiness, relief, and fear I would leave again that manifested itself through crying. His teachers (who both have previous years experience working with two year olds) said that the first week of school is “sort of like giving birth. You forget how rough it is!” His teacher said most of the children had “moments” during the day, but all did well over all. One child was sent home early since he could not settle down at nap time. I was so relieved it was not Griffin!
I felt just as nervous today as Wednesday. I knew today may be more difficult. At drop off Griffin walked straight into his classroom, but was keeping his eye on me. Several other children were crying, Griffin started to whine a bit, but then stopped. I continued to put away his things, but as soon as I headed to the door, he started screaming “Mama” and burst into tears. I knew i needed to keep walking. I did not look back. It is one of the most AWFUL feelings a parent could ever experience.
Out in the lobby I stopped to talk to two other moms whose boys were in Griffin’s class (both were screaming and crying too). (One of these moms was the one who was called to pick up her son early on Wednesday.) We consoled each other and reassured each other this was good for our children. We joked that we may need to create a club for a boys and call it the “Criers Club.” We also joked that our boys better not get kicked out for crying because of the 18 hour camp out that we all endured. The other two moms said they were going to call and check in. I was headed out to meet my mom for shopping and lunch. I knew the school would call me if Griffin was still upset. This was my first “ME” day and I wanted to celebrate! 
When I picked Griffin up at 2:00 I bumped into the fellow moms from the “Criers Club.” We all joked we were happy to see each other at 2:00. It meant all three of our boys had survived the day! Griffin’s teachers said Griffin had a great day! Once again though, as soon as Griffin saw me, he burst into tears. He also started waving and saying “Good bye!” through his sobs. He was letting me know he was ready to blow this joint! Poor guy does not know he goes back next week. Sometimes ignorance is not bliss.
I would say week one was a success. I am relieved another milestone is behind us. There have been two really big ones over the past couple of weeks with both Nolan and Griffin starting school. I am emotionally drained, but it feels good to know we (or me I guess I should say) survived!
