With my daughter getting ready to start kindergarten in the fall, I’m starting to have some anxiety. Receiving letters in the mail from her new school-to-be is making it real for me, and I’m wondering how she is going to do being placed in this unfamiliar atmosphere, without me by her side.
When she first started going to daycare when she was two in a half years old, it was a daily struggle to drop her off. She had severe separation anxiety, and it actually crossed my mind a few times to just keep her from going so I wouldn’t have to deal with the heart wrenching goodbye’s that we shared every morning. Finally, after a long few months (that actually felt like years), we got to an OK place, where leaving her wasn’t so hard. Even to this day, three years later, we still have some mornings that are difficult, as she gets so attached, and doesn’t want me to leave her at daycare. Being a parent, you know how heartbreaking it is to look at your child crying for you, just wanting you, and not being able to console them.
I was introduced to the book Pocket Mommy, written by a mother whose son was starting kindergarten, and having some fears of being away from his mother while at school. She reassured him that they would always be together in each other’s hearts, but on the night before his new school day, she made a small cardboard “mommy” of herself, small enough to fit in his pocket. She advised him that during the day, whenever he felt sad or nervous, or missed her, to pull out his pocket mommy. At the end of each day they discussed his days at school, and what him and pocket mommy learned or seen together. After almost two weeks, he gained the courage to leave his pocket mommy at home, and continue to school on his own, confident as can be.
Pocket Mommy was an adorable, great read. I am nervous for my daughter, probably more than she is for herself, but I know as soon as reality sets in in August, she will be feeling quite nervous herself. I actually ready Pocket Mommy to Haley, and she asked me if she could take a pocket mommy to school with her when she starts so she isn’t alone. I am definitely going to be trying it out. On the back of the book you’ll find already made “mommies” that you can just cut out, and even put your own picture onto. On the inside you’ll also find some tips on how to create conversation among your child’s day with their pocket mommy.
I highly recommend Pocket Mommy to those parents who are having a little harder than normal time with the transition of a new school, or even new grade with their children. Even those who are having no nervous problems, sending a pocket mommy to school with your child will give them some confidence and something for them to look forward to talking to you about at the end of their school day.
