Vinay started nursery on Monday.  Between his birthday, his party this weekend and about 4 other birthday parties we have to attend, I didn’t get a chance to become too nervous before he started.

He was very happy to get ready and go on his first morning.

We met his teacher when we arrived and he sensed something was up, because he started clinging to my leg.  The teacher tried to get him to go and play, which he was reluctant to do.  She kept telling me to leave as soon as possible, because the longer I was there, the harder it was going to be for him.  I was only hanging around because I needed to see someone in the office!  After finishing in the office, I spotted V on the swings – he was quite happy.  So I left.  Without saying goodbye.  I felt so guilty!

It was the longest three hours!  I picked up LagosDad from home, dropped him at work and ran some errands.  That didn’t take too long and I didn’t know what to do with myself for the rest of the time!

V was very happy to see me when I went to pick him up and his teacher said he cried a lot, but settled after a while.  

I asked him lots of questions about what he did…

Me: Vinay – did you cry at school?

V: No – other babies (other babies were crying?)

Me: Did you eat your snack?

V: Dentyne! (his word for yogurt (!))

Me: Did you draw pictures?

V: No – other babies

Me: Who changed your nappy?

V: Aunty

Me: Did you have fun?

V: Yes

I immediately started talking about him going back the next day, and he was happy.

On Tuesday morning, he was excited to get dressed and go.  A good sign!

As soon as we arrived, his teacher scooped him up and took him inside (while he was crying) and I was told to leave.  

How could they?  How could they just tell me to go and leave him?  

I am desperate not to be one of *those* mums – one of those anxious, neurotic mums that I’ve come across while teaching.  One of those mums I rolled my eyes at (after they had gone).  So I left.  

As on Monday, I picked up and dropped off LagosDad and ran errands.  

I had so many things to do at home, but I played games on my iPad and checked the time every five minutes.

V was perfectly fine when I picked him up.  His teacher said he didn’t cry for long and settled soon.  The owner said he was fine, but preferred to be out in the playground rather than in the classroom.  She also said that it was quite normal as he wasn’t used to the structure/routine.

My conversation with Vinay was pretty much the same as the day before.  

This morning (Wednesday), he was reluctant to get dressed.  He only agreed because he wanted to go in the car.  But he was quiet and seemed a little nervous.

It was raining quite heavily, so instead of parking outside and walking in, the gates to the nursery were wide open and the cars could drive right in.  As soon as we were in the drive, I opened the door and one of the helpers came out, picked Vinay up, took his bag from me and disappeared inside.  I could hear him screaming, ‘Mama! Mama!’ from outside.  

I didn’t know what to do, so I got back in the car and left.

The owner of the school messaged me to say he wasn’t crying and she sent me a picture of him playing.

Thirty minutes until pick-up time.

Why is it going so slowly?