Wild Badger Handler Position Filled For Now

Thursday,  I researched home daycare centers and settled on a lady who has a small, neat, spotless preschool for a maximum of 6 kids at any given time. She’s been doing this since the early 80’s and most of the kids stay with her from age 2 until they leave for kindergarten. 

At the interview, I wondered if she and Bean would mesh at all, because she was very big about the routine never being upset. This means no kids get dropped off after 9:30 AM, no one gets picked up during naptime, the kids must follow the routine exactly, etc. So Bean’s habit of remaining awake during naptime? Nixed. Bean choosing not to follow the daily schedule? Nixed. 

Then I thought to myself what is the matter with you? This is exactly what he needs. Hello, a child who strenuously resists even the smallest change does not need one more person indulging his whims or giving in because it’s easier than fighting it out. He needs structure. He needs rules. He needs predictable days with a calming routine and consequences for not behaving, not “redirection”. He has issues with behavior, I warned. He’ll get two weeks to try it out here, Ms. C replied firmly, kind of scaring me, but she added kindly, I’m willing to bet he just needs some socialization skills and routine. 

So I signed him up and wrote a check. At least, I thought pessimistically, I bought myself two weeks without having to leave work early 75% of the time.

I hate to sound the trumpets at this point, only 3 days in, but so far, so good. Bean has napped, actually sleeping, two days in a row, a feat which may entitle Ms. C to be canonized, if she can keep it up. She gives time-outs when he misbehaves, but he does not seem put off by her strictness at all, and in fact, happily skipped away from me right into the preschool room this morning without so much as a look backward.

While Bean is expected to behave and get along, Ms. C is by no means some kind of drill sergeant. She is willing to work with Bean while he adjusts, willing to make allowances for a learning curve, and called him a sweet little boy, which he is, when his teeth and/or claws are not attached to you. Bean is obviously taken with her, as he voluntarily wants to give her a kiss every morning, which is not something he is wont to do with new people unless he is utterly taken by them.

I have begun to hope that the small group and quiet home setting will make a difference for my wild child.

Now, because I have spent the last several posts wringing my hands over my son and everything else going on in my life, let me leave you with something cute:

Bean has recently learned how to “forgive” someone who hurts him accidentally. While we were playing over the weekend, I caught him with my thumbnail on the leg pretty good as I tickled him.

“I’m so sorry, baby!” I exclaimed, kissing the little red mark.

“Dat’s OK, Mommy! It was a askident.” He replied sweetly, patting my hand to assure me all was well.

So yes, we’re struggling, but something must be soaking in. And that cute little voice? Melts my heart every time.

And finally, in other interesting news:

Hugh Jackman and Daniel Craig will be appearing on Broadway together. In a play about Chicago cops. Hello My Favorite Fantasy Come To Life…who’s up for a cultural expedition to the Big Apple? Show of hands?