Is it a school day?

Last year preschool was a disaster.  It was flat out a disaster. He had issues with every aspect from fine motor, wiggles and making friends.  The teacher never cared to speak to the therapists and neglected to accept the information I gave her about the sensory needs of my little boy.  Because he was in trouble so often and the other parents saw the teacher always talking to me, he was never invited to play with anyone and all my invites went unmet.  Needless to say, we should have pulled him out but we tried.  And that attempt took the eager willingness to learn right out of him. 

I worked to get Espen into the public school preschool and had great amounts of trepidation about it.  I took him to the new school.  We met the teacher.  We talked about a new place and new chances.  We talked about a school and a teacher with resources to do things that will make it fun for Espen to learn.  We talked about kids he could play with and make friends with.  We talked about being able to be invited to play.  He slowly started to look forward to the new school and a new chance.

He had some rough days at the start.  He was rough with his new friends.  He was extremely wiggly.  He came home several days upset that the teachers would think he was a "bad kid" when he had hard times.  I assured him repeatedly that each day was a new day.  That this new school forgives the mistakes of yesterday and starts each day fresh.  The teachers and the children would be kind and forgiving and help him with his sensory needs. 

We just had Espen's parent teacher conference.  It was nice to have his teacher come over and see his space and visit.  He is doing well!  My greatest fear was that he was not learning and was disruptive.  He is LEARNING.  He is kind and mannered.  He listens.  He is learning to ask for a break when he needs one.  He is getting the sensory input he needs when he needs it!  I am so proud of him. 

There of course are hard days.  There are days when he is in trouble for hitting or doing silly things.  But every day he wakes up ready to go to school  Every day he looks forward to the friends and the teachers.  Every day he is excited to be part of the school. 

And I am proud.  I am proud of him for doing his best and trying.  I am proud he is starting to recognize the needs when he has them.  I am thrilled the teacher helps him along.  That these hours I give my son to her, she is kind and encouraging of the learning process. 

While I may have issues with one thing or another, I must keep in mind that these are my issues not Espen's.  I may have concerns and some days be down right upset but that it is because I am an adult and have a completely different view on the situation.  I have dealt with the problems head on and can let them go so that each day is a new day and a fresh start.  When new problems arise, I will justly and calmly face those as well.  Just like I hope they do for Espen, I will do for them.  Espen loves to go to school and loves the class and that is what matters. 

I love that he is having so much fun!  "Is it a school day?" is his excited question most every day... because on those days there must be some great adventure before him!