Wonder Years: Trial no. 1

Sarah dislikes the word "school". I think she has this fear of separation with her Mama. Somehow she associates school with Mama leaving her alone and not coming back. So we had to come up with a different name like play centre, nursery or even Balamory. She has been positive ever since we changed the name. In fact she has sometimes mentioned that she can't wait to go to play centre.

This morning, I asked her, "Who's going to play centre today?"
"Meeee..." came the excited answer from Sarah. She couldn't wait for 2 o'clock and kept on telling me to hurry up.

I thought this was all going very well and prayed hard that she will be alright at the nursery. Just half an hour before 2pm, she timidly said, "Mama jangan tinggal Sarah, eh?"

Oh dear!

Between the half hour, I was struggling to make her understand that she will be alright and I would definitely come back for her. There was nothing to worry about and I will only be a phone call away. She interrupted every word with her plea, "Don't leave me, please!"

At the nursery, the staff and all other children gathered around Sarah when we arrived. They were all very friendly! It was colouring time. Sarah joined in immediately, smiling.

I left, and heard someone calling out for her Mama! One of the staff said Sarah will be alright. They will take care of her.

An hour later, I went to the nursery again to fetch Sarah. It was only a trial or induction session. Her class was enjoying the afternoon in the garden. From afar I saw Sarah sitting very closely to one of the staff, holding her pink toy phone.

Then she saw me. She ran very fast calling out "Maamaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa" and hugged me. The staff said Sarah only stopped crying for a while. Hence, there will be another trial session on Thursday until she settles in.

On the way home, Sarah was still sobbing, quietly. I asked if she would still like to go to the nursery. She gave a short answer,"Yes". I promised her to buy some stickers because she has been such a brave girl. I said so many things and praised her a lot. She remained quiet while holding her toy phone tightly.

I asked her what's the matter? She answered, "Phone Sarah dah broken. Sarah telefon Mama, tapi Mama tak datang pun ambik Sarah!!!"

It's cuddle time now.