Preschool

Justin finally started pre-school today.  After harassing following up with J's Early Intervention teacher for over a month and calling the school district's placement office we found out where J had  been placed last Monday.  Carl and I toured the school on Wednesday and met J's teacher, saw the classroom and learned more about the curriculum.   We talked to J about going to school every day but hindsight's 20/20; we probably should've taken J with us so he could've met his teacher and been more comfortable before school today. 

I thought I would be fine but this morning was tough; I cried as I turned down the block of J's school but I calmed myself down as I got him out of the car.  J was a little hesitant as we waited outside of the school with the other kids.  Every now and then he'd venture off on his own to explore and then eventually make his way back to me and hold my hand.  After the bell rang and the bigger kids went in J's teacher came out to escort her students to the classroom.  When she reached out her hand and introduced herself to J he gave her a look like "who the heck are you woman and don't you dare touch me" and then buried his head in between my legs.  I walked him in the building and tried to calm him down while the teacher and her aid waited for the other kids.  The classroom aid bent down and started talking to J and then picked him up to take him back to the classroom and that's when J lost it; he threw his back out and started screaming and hollering.  At that point his teacher didn't even say anything, she just shooed me away so I hesitantly walked out.  But it was the longest walk to my car because as I left the building I could hear J screaming. 

I called Carl as soon as I got in the car and he was able to calm me down a little but I was still sad as  I drove away.  Fortunately J's teacher called me as soon as I got to work and told me that J was doing fine; he was eating breakfast and playing with the other kids so I felt better but was still counting the hours until Carl picked him up from school.  When Carl picked J up his teacher told us that J cried periodically throughout the day but overall did pretty well; he played a couple of games on the computer, worked on shapes and letters, did puzzles and played with the other kids.  So we'll see how the rest of the week goes.