Curious Twos

One day after Riley began Sunbeams, Asher had his own big day. At his pediatrician’s recommendation I enrolled him in Curious Twos. It’s the same class through the city that Riley took at his age. She LOVED it. Asher, not so much. But that’s exactly why the doctor suggested it.

As you can see from his report from the first day, he was okay, as long as he was sitting on Miss Lisa’s lap. The class is held twice a week, and the next time he didn’t do so well. The teachers asked me to hang out in class with him until he feels more comfortable and independent. He spend the last 50 minutes of the one hour class clinging to me. He didn't pay any attention to the story that was read at circle time, because he was climbing on me the whole time. He wouldn't play in the sensory table because he wanted to be in my lap.

By the third class I had a plan. I had prepped Asher ahead of time by telling him that only kids get to play in preschool, not moms. I could be there, but I'd have to sit in the back of the room. I reminded him of this several times beforehand. One of his teachers was great about engaging him with some Little People toys, and I sat down against the back wall and pulled out a book. (Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah, if you're interested. It's a great historical fiction story within another story.) I kept my nose in my book and just looked up occasionally to give Asher an encouraging smile. And it worked wonderfully! He came over to me a few times to show me the toy he was playing with, but would go right back to playing with the group when I asked him to. And no crying!

I want Asher to feel confident and somewhat independent, but I know better than to push him too much. Things will happen at his own pace. So we’ll continue to go to class together, and I’ll continue to remind myself to enjoy my cuddly Mama’s boy because I know it won’t last forever.