Okay, I know he's not even three yet. But this is his first week in a primary classroom at CMS, and he's not happy about it. Yesterday, it was tears and screaming from the minute I stepped on the stairs to go up to P1 instead of down to Pre-Primary. Alia had to bodily peel him off of me, and I could still hear him crying and screaming until I was outside. Alia, in her wisdom, emailed me in the afternoon to let me know that he went into the peace area, and was ready to participate in about five minutes.
This morning felt like it was going to be more of the same. As soon as I hit that first step up, he started crying and jerking his body toward his old classroom, though not jerking it enough to spill the bowl of waffle pieces he was carrying. Alia took the waffle, and I sat on the floor with him for a few minutes just inside the classroom to try and ease his transition, but he wasn't buying it. I went to put his backpack and coat away, and heard the classroom door slam.
I found him sitting on the top step, tucked under the railing.
"You walk away! I want to be alone!"
"Would you rather do this in the peace area? I'd be glad to go with you."
"No! Leave me alone." He threw his fork down the steps.
And then he pulled a deep breath in, let it out, and said, "Can you get me my fork please?"
Another breath. "I want to sit in a dark colored chair while I eat my waffle. Please will you up me?"
And I carried him into his classroom, and we each went on with our days.
I wish I could calm myself down that quickly when I'm that pissed off.
