This entry was posted on Thursday, January 14th, 2010 at 10:28 am and is filed under Family Stuff. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Last year, to this very day, as I dropped my daughter off at preschool on her first day back after the holiday break, my heart broke as I held her in my arms a bit longer, squeezing her tight and wishing I had a few more days with her. She didn’t want to go back either. I believe she had gotten used to being around mommy and daddy all day long, and was beginning to assume it would always be like that; that maybe those first few months of preschool had been a temporary thing, like camp or the success of Ed Hardy clothing. It was a difficult time for all of us.
She’s four now. I cannot, for the life of me, tell you why anyone even mentions the terrible two’s, excepting that they have perhaps not experienced the four’s yet. Dear god almighty how we battle. I don’t know exactly when it happened, but at some point while my daughter was in her second year of preschool in the Fall, she became a screaming banshee of stubborness and antagonization. The entire break this year, which lasted three weeks but felt like three years, was chocked full of arguments.
“You’re going to clean up your room becaue I am telling you to. Now.”
“No I’m not.”
“Yes you are. And if you talk back to me once more you are going on time out, understand?”
“No I’m not. PPPPPBPBBBBHHHHHHH!”
“That’s it, young lady, you are on time out. Sit on your chair.”
“No.”
“Then I will put you on it. There. Is that better? I’m setting your timer, and if I see you reach out and pull leaves off of the piano plant, you’re getting another five minutes. Got it?”
Tiny four-year-old arm raises toward piano plant, ever so slowly. Reaching….reaching….reaching. “Pluck!”
“OK, fantastic. You just got another five minutes. I can do this all day. Are you happy now?’
“Yes.”
AAAAAAAARRRGGGGHHHHH!
You get the idea.
A fairly significant change is beginning to take place. My tiny little daughter is beginning to become her own person. She has her own personality, her own thoughts and her own ideals. I believe that her stubborness is an indication of her desire to grow, perhaps not as much underneath the protective wings of her mother and father.
I contemplated this as I drove into the school parking lot and opened up the door to take her out, fully prepared to hold her in my arms and comfort her and tell her that, while we had a terrific time on holiday break, it was time to return to school like a big girl. Then I would wipe her tears and walk away with a heavy heart, bearing the guilt that comes from abandoning your sobbing child as she calls after you with open arms.
She flew out of that car and left me in the dust. Not even a goodbye or an “I love you, Daddy!” She was just gone.
When I finally caught up to her at the classroom and signed her in, I peered through the window and watched her speaking excitedly with her group of friends, who had gathered around her, listening and nodding.
Slowly I turned and walked back to the car. My little girl isn’t so little any more, and that sucks
-Matt
She IS still little enough to fit into all the awesome clothing at RedSparks, our online baby boutique. Shopping always makes me feel better, doesn’t it you?
January 15th, 2010 at 6:59 am
We’ve been here before, Matt. The ‘before’ where I am the first commenter on a Friday post. And then no one else comments. Almost prevented me from commenting. Alas, I will anyway.
You meant Frankie is 14, right? One Four.
Sounds like she has advanced to teen behavior. That must be SOME preschool she attends.
Oh. And better up/change your consequences-ante.
Barbara´s last blog ..To Move Is To Function
[reply]
January 15th, 2010 at 7:19 am
I feel the need to comment, even if it’s just so Barbara is not the loner!
My daughter is doing this already, and she’s 2.5 years old. Insanity, I tell you. Hope it gets easier for you as the rest of the weeks go by, at least the drop-off stuff. I know it’s not going to get easier for any of us as they grow up!
RobMonroe´s last blog ..Set Up by My Wife
[reply]
January 18th, 2010 at 1:10 pm
Wait until you try to kiss her on the playgrund and she TURNS HER CHEEK TO YOU. Death by offspring, I tell you what.
Mr Lady´s last blog ..The War of the Roses
[reply]
January 29th, 2010 at 7:29 am
It is so bittersweet, isn’t it? I can’t believe that my oldest son is 4, and my baby is now 2! Times goes by too quickly…
Loukia´s last blog ..A financially savvy giveaway for your child!
[reply]