Around Here Lately

Speaking of preschool, here’s True on his very first day. He’s doing great at school and it’s adorably sweet to pick him up and watch him do his rounds by finding each and every student and giving them a hug good-bye. On the 2nd day of school, True and I were having a conversation about feelings in the car on the way home. I sensed that he was doing an awesome job of being brave at school on those first days but that he’d been holding back his tears.  On this particular day he had a few moments at school where he would begin to get upset that we weren’t there and then he’d quickly readjust, hold it together, and tell the teacher he was “just kidding.” It broke my heart – I want him to feel permission to feel his feelings. So, in the car I said, “You know it’s okay to cry at school if you’re feeling afraid or sad, right? Starting school is a big deal and I can see you being brave, but it’s also okay to be afraid. Your teacher will console you. You don’t have to pretend that you’re not sad.”

Long pause.

“Mama? SERIOUSLY? It’s okay if I cry at school?” – in the sweetest barely three year old voice.

“Totally. I’m so proud of you for being brave and beginning school, but I know it can be scary, too. And your teacher will be there for you for those times when you’re feeling sad or afraid, ok?”

“Wow! I can’t believe it. I can be sad and cry at school.” – again, in the dearest little “aha moment” voice.

It was the sweetest little exchange and since then he’s had no trouble boohooing in those moments when I’m certain he must be feeling a little lost and scared at his new school. It’s created an essential trust between he and his teacher, and he’s got full permission to express his emotions. And with each new day, his joy around school is blooming. Really amazing to witness.

The whole thing made me think of all the times and moments in our lives when we’re not given permission to FEEL. What would happen if we gave ourselves permission to get the feeling out of our body, expressed, tended too? I believe unexpressed emotions aren’t benign – they’re toxic to our bodies, our relationships, our souls. Loving how much I’m learning from True as his world begins to widen. 

Speaking of boohooing and emotions, us parents were a total wreck those first couple days. Here I am sitting in car in front of preschool, anxiously waiting for the moment when I can go in and scoop him up. This is the first time we’ve ever left him in someone else’s care (except grands) and its been really tough on our mama/papa hearts even though I know it’s all good. Still hard. Big practice in TRUST and letting go.

My mom spruced up our front porch for the season. How cute is this? Really love this kind of stuff, but I never have the extra time. Feel grateful that she unleashes her creativity at our house. Speaking of my mom, she opened up her own Etsy shop. Go mom! You can check it out here.