Now, when you go to MotherCare and your baby is over a year old, you have to put them into the big kids playroom, which is like a 10' x 10' room, with all the other children of various ages of over 12 months and usually two child care workers. I stopped attending MotherCare originally shortly after being moved into that room due to the one childcare worker being judgmental and slightly rude in how she would 'share' information with you. I was reminded again today of just what a poor set of social skills she has with parents, but... putting that aside I have to say we had a fantastic time there today!
I took Calvin in and he met up with some of his little friends he knows and was off playing with them. In the past if I tried to leave the room he threw a fit and was very distressed. Today he seemed pretty immersed in playing, so I sneaked out instead of saying I would leave. I was torn - the books say don't sneak out, tell your child you'll be leaving and coming back, but I had a feeling he would protest and want to come with me if I left. I went out to the moms and babies room and kept an ear out for any crying or calls for Momma. After 10 minutes I was in happy shock. He was doing fine. No crying, no calling for me. I was so proud of him, a grown up little boy.
After a half hour in there I couldn't take it anymore and was having anxiety. I sneaked into the hallway out of sight and listened. I heard nothing but a quiet room of children playing. No kids were being told off, no crying, no shouts from kids trying to steal toys or having toys stolen. All seemed well, so back to the Moms room I went. I spent the next hour alternating between stressed out anxiety and proud happiness. I sent a couple other Moms back there to check on him so he wouldn't see me, and they all reported he was doing fine. My boy - he grew up! I still can barely believe he did it. He doesn't know the caregivers there anymore, we haven't been to this building in over six months, so it was a fairly new environment. My mom friends all comforted me as I went through the adjustment of my child not needing me, and in general had a nice time. One lady gave me her baby to hold while she helped in the kitchen, and that really kept me occupied and unable to leave the room.
When it was circle time, all the moms with older kids went in to see them and do the few songs we sing before saying goodbye for the day. Calvin was super excited to see me at first, showing me what he was doing, then promptly went and sat on the floor about 6 feet away and ignored me. After the fact, I realize that this is a classic reaction, just as I've read in the toddler books. He eventually came to sit with me, but was tired and started to get cranky. Overall though, not very long for him to get from the ignoring phase to the loving phase. I was pleased.
Many other parents have recommended I wait until he's 2 1/2 to start him in the Creative Kids daycare sessions, but after today I wonder if he's ready now. Not even two years old! I don't think I'm ready yet ;)
I've included a few photos from our trip to Florida, where we had a great time. Remember you can click on the photos to open them up to larger size and then click on the left or right hand side of the photos to go from one to the next. Also putting up a new video on YouTube of him greeting all the goats. He does love to pet goats.