Waiting For The Other Shoe To Drop
So far, the switch to the new school has been going better than I could ever have hoped for. There have been no tears, no tantrums, no tales of Heathers Heartbreak. Yet. I'd love to believe that that's it, that she's settled in that easily, but I know my Diva Girl, and I just can't believe that it's really going to be that simple.
Not that I'm complaining, mind you. I'm definitely enjoying the peace and the happy, bubbly girl who cannot wait to get on the bus every morning and comes home thrilled by her day, but I just can't believe that it's going to last. Sabrina just doesn't cope with change and loss this well and I cannot believe that I am such a fabulous, brilliant parent that I have singlehandedly navigated us past this without a single sob.
Not that I haven't tried, mind you. I've done my level best to stack the deck in favour of an easy transition. Back to school shopping, planning our vacation for the last two weeks of August so that she didn't have time to stress, booking a playdate with Madyson on Labour Day--all moves designed to soften the blow. And they seem to be working. So far.
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Do I know my daughter or what? I wrote the above piece this morning. This afternoon, tears. The bus was too early and she almost missed it. She forgot her lunchbox. Someone stole her snack. There wasn't enough time to change her shoes. Her teacher didn't listen to her. Another kid pushed her. Nobody knows what Webkinz are. She didn't get a library book because she's new and not on the list yet. Her teacher doesn't like her. The other kids are mean. And the list goes on and on as the sobbing gets more and more hysterical and out of control.
My poor Diva Girl. She was doing so well, keeping it together this week. At least I have the weekend to put her back together.
Which leads me to a somewhat selfish thought: Does this mean I have to cancel my date tonight?
Yes, Facebook Guy and I finally of sort of got it arranged. He was asking if I wanted to go to the club. Or at least, when I indicated interest, offered to pick me up a ticket and meet me there. That's a date, right? My chin sure seems to think so, given the size of the zit that erupted on it this afternoon.
But, with Diva Girl finally crumbling from the pressure of a new routine and all this change, do I cancel, or send her to hang out with Grandma as planned? Is it giving her too much power to give her the option to decide? Why does it all have to be this hard?
Comments
Hi. I read your blog quite often but have never commented before. I'm a single mom as well though not by choice (I've been divorced for the last 4 years), my daughter is almost 8 and I have been faced with similar situations before; not to sound too selfish, but my advice is, do go out and do try to relax and enjoy yourself, kids do have an amazing way of getting over things and probably hanging around at her Grandma's (where she will probably receive all sorts of attentions and cuddles) will help her get through the night, this will even give her a little bit of time to reflect on this weeks events and tomorrow, a more relaxed mom and a kid who was given a little space can talk it all off and decide that, maybe, things are not so bad after all. Though I'm a very commited mom, I have realized that at least 1% of the time, I do need to be a woman. For all that you write, you sound like a wonderful mom, I think you deserve this one night out. Regards from Mexico.
I totally agree with Vane, Gramma's seem to have that magic healing touch. Have yourself a good time and let her get some of that special Gramma attention, she knows she will have you tomorrow.
Kim, go....enjoy the evening. It has been he**ishly hot this week, and all the kids are emotional, tired (from the change back to school), and grumpy. (I had TWO crying as they went home at 3:30!) Let Diva Girl chill with Grandma and Grandpa, by tomorrow everything will be blown over. ***hugs*** to all!
I really really hope you went out on the "date", I agree with everyone else and if for no other reason than you have been driving us all completely insane with the date question all week you better have bloody well gone out because we all want to know what happened!!
Big hugs to Diva Girl by the way
I'm joining everyone in the hopes that you went on the date. And fwiw, the Bee had a massive breakdown tonight too, when she realized that she had left her homework at school. The first week is always hard...
For all of us who routinely sit home on Friday nights I reallllly hope you went out on that date! Grannies are fabulous for mending tender souls. Hope it all went well!
Hope you went and had a great time.
