Mother's Day Out

September 1, 2010

These are some pictures of Noah on his first morning of Mother's Day Out.

We decided to start Noah in a Mother's Day Out program this year at our church. He goes on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 to 2:30. I really wanted to do this for a couple of reason. First, he has never been away from me and I figured the earlier we start the separation and the slower we go the easier it will be for him to make the transition. Second, he has always loved other kids and I think it's time for him to start spending some time playing with kids his own age. Last, but not least, I think I need a little break!!

They decided to put him in the toddler room since he's 15 months old. Most of the kids in there are around 18 months. We thought we would give it a try and see how he did. The big difference is that they sleep on mats and eat in regular chairs not highchairs and there is less one on one attention. The classroom had 6 little boys a little older than him. He did great at Parent's Night when we met the teacher and played with all the kids great. He was SO wound up when we left. He would not stop screaming and laughing. So I though, this is great! He's going to love it!

When I took him the first day, he was smiling when I left so I felt pretty confident that he would be fine. WRONG! I got a phone call around 1:00 saying that he was crying his eyes out and had been for some time. He had thrown up from crying. He wouldn't eat him lunch. He wouldn't take a nap. Well, I told them I would come get him but they said not to. They thought they could get him to sleep so I told them to call if it didn't get better. I didn't hear anything so I went to get him at 2:30 and he was crying when I got there. He was so tired from crying that he wasn't even excited to see me. They said we'd try the toddler room once more then move him to the nursery if it didn't work. We tried again the next time, and, you guessed it, he's now in the nursery.

However, I'm very very glad that they moved him. He loves the nursery and does great in there. He cries a little when I drop him off but that's it. He's happy the rest of the day. He eats and takes naps well. He's done a bunch of colorings for me. His teachers are great and he's happy. His teacher told me that he just doesn't do change at all. If they move to a different room, he cries. If one of his teachers leaves, he cries. I never really knew that about him until this experience. But it is going good and it is good for both of us.