My firstborn started kindergarten last week. He was ready, I was ready. I had talked about it so much I think he was sick of me "yes, mom, I'm excited to ride the bus, yes, I'm happy that I'm finally going to regular school, now please stop TALKING ABOUT IT".
I wasn't one of "those" moms, I didn't follow the bus to school to take pictures of him getting off it. The teacher said the parent's wouldn't be able to come into the classroom so what was the point. Someone suggested that I would want those pictures of him getting off the bus at school for my scrapbook....HAHAHAHAHA. How 'bout I work on his baby book! I've heard of these scrapbook things, they sound kind of scary and way too much work...I'd rather take a nap.
Anyhoo, first day went off without a hitch. He was up WAY before he needed to be, dressed, fed, etc and wanting to go wait for the bus about 20 minutes before it was scheduled to show. Keep in mind that our driveway is all of 20 feet long, not a long hike to the bus stop, not like when I was growing up and we often had to run down the 1/4 mile driveway while the bus driver patiently waited (thanks George), unless you were my older sister and much too cool to RUN like a maniac for the bus that was in no danger of leaving before it picked us up. I digress, but the memories are good. Remind me to tell you our complex system for determining who boarded the bus first.
2nd day...lots of screaming, crying and backtalk. I am proud to say that I pulled a dad when I said "you get dressed or I'll HELP you get dressed and I guarantee you won't like that". He chose (loosely) help and I thought that would be the end of it. Nope, he don't learn too good!
3rd through 5th days were fair but today was plain awful again.
I think we'll try a reward system but this whole thing is ridiculous. He is acting like such an asshole...and believe me, that is the correct word. He must do 3 things when he gets up: get dressed, eat breakfast and brush his teeth. Most kids who aren't assholes could do those all in 15 minutes TOPS, but for some reason mine cannot. Apparently he thinks there are additional tasks assigned to him, such as rolling around his bedroom floor naked wailing "I don't want to get dressed, I'm tired", and playing with the cat, and stomping downstairs screaming "I don't love you". However, these tasks are not expected of him so he is really making things worse for himself. It is entertaining for the others in the household but annoying!
I'll keep you updated on how the next week goes.
