First Day of School

This morning was Henri's first day of school. Nine hours per week. It's not that big a deal... But that didn't stop me from tearing up repeatedly.

It was rainy so we had to taxi to school. My neighbor and her girls carpooled with us and jumped out at the American School. Henri threw a little tantrum when they got out so we arrived at Tiger Tots in not the best of moods.

Once we entered the classroom Henri immediately started to play with the toys which I thought was positive. I stuck around, per the teacher's instruction, for about 15 minutes and then left for 15 minutes. I listened to him scream and cry that entire time out in the hallway, out of sight. I went back into the classroom for about 20 minutes then out again, this time for good. He was crying - But this time he said bye bye and I told him I was going to exercise, which is what I usually tell him (honestly those times) when I left him with our helper.

I arrived to pick him up 20 minutes before they brought the class down. I was hoping that when I saw him he would be in better shape than when I left him - sadly, when they arrived Henri was holding onto the little rope with little loops for each kid's hand, crying his little head off.

They told me that he did fine on the playground and that he ate his snack after but then he whined and carried on (Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma) until the end. The teacher said he still played while he cried which was a good sign and stopped crying a little when they sang a song. I hate to put him through this but I believe that this environment is better than being home (bored, trying to steal my iPad) in the morning when there is nothing open and often the weather keeps us indoors. I keep reminding myself - it's only 9 hours per week - it's not such a big deal - but you hate to see your child upset.

On the upside, he loves his backpack (thanks Aunt Vanessa) though he wants to hold it even when he is up in his highchair eating lunch... I think if we can just get through the next week or two he's really going to like it there.