I’m (obviously) at home right now. It’s about 10:45 Monday morning. Fifteen minutes ago I left Molli. I tried to do it the way they tell you to:
I picked my Molli up in my arms. I held her so her face was close to mine. I looked in her eyes and said, “I know you don’t understand this, but when I say farvel I’m going to leave you, but it’s very safe here and you’re going to have lots of fun and I’m going to be back in one hour. I love you. Farvel.”
Then I set her back down in the playground, turned my back to her, and walked away.
It was a pretty long walk to the door leading out of the enclosed vuggestue playground. I couldn’t help turning around. I expected (and hoped?) to see Molli playing happily or babbling with Cecilie (her teacher for today). Instead she was squatting in the sandbox, staring after me with confusion or incredulity or god knows what sad and frightened emotions all over her face.
I felt like a monster going through that door and closing it behind me.
I’m leaving in half an hour to pick her up again. Trine’s going to come with me. Now that I think of it, though, I’m going to ask Trine to wait outside the gate for a moment while I go in to Molli, because I don’t want Molli to think I’m the awful parent who takes her places and leaves her there whereas mommy is the wonderful parent who comes and saves her from whatever awful situations daddy has put her in. For some reason I think it’s important for Molli to have some continuity with pickups and dropoffs, at least the first couple of times. Is that too silly?
Probably it is.
Obviously I won’t have the luxury of writing about our return until Molli’s taking her nap later this afternoon, but I will try and update you all then. (And I’m going to post some or all of this on MoronAbroad.)
Cute stories. BTW, the same works for “time outs”. Whoever puts her in a time out (not that she would ever behave in such a way that she would need one), gets to get her out of time out. I think you are right on with the consistancy thing and I think it was good that you went in ahead of Trine.
Also, don’t be surprised if she behaves all day at school and then screams and cries when you pick her up. Even kids Molli’s age know how to save the “good stuff” for mom and dad. In a way it’s a backwards compliment, they feel safe enough with you that they can lose it.
I hope she keeps enjoying school.
We miss her very much!! Hope we’ll see her soon!