Kids Are Smarter Than Us
Alexis is in a "I don't want to go to school," rut. I think it's a combination of things that has her suddenly all whiny about going to the only place she has ever known. For one, there have been FAR too many vacation/sick/stay home days in the past few months. While I'm glad she has had a lot of fun each time she's gotten one, she hasn't quite figured out that we can't keep up that pace all year round. The bigger issue, however, is that her bestest friend of all time switched schools about a month back. And when I say "bestest friend," I'm talking about Alexis' other half . . . the little girl who became attached to Alexis' hip (and heart) when they were 6-months old and never let go. Until now.
Yeah, it kinda sucks. A lot.
Anyway, this morning was yet another morning filled with complaints like, "I want to stay home with you," and such. Once I explained to Alexis that it would be terribly boring at home all by herself since I wouldn't be there, she got the bright idea into her head that she should ask to go to work with me.
I told her that would also be horribly boring. Always one to investigate potential lies, she started questioning me. I shot down her dreams of watching TV. I blew up her hopes of playing with toys. I denied the opportunity to play outside. I confessed that the snacks weren't as good as what she would get at school. I admitted there was no story time. I acknowledged that there would be no chances to splash in the sprinkler.
With a newfound understanding for what it is that I don't do at work, Alexis looked at me and said, "It's OK, momma. You can stay here with me. We'll have fun!"
If only.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Reader Comments (11)
It seems so simple to them, doesn't it? 'Just stay home, Momma!' Maggie does the 'I don't wanna go ANYWHERE' thing almost daily. She looooves Tuesdays & Thursdays when we do get to stay home (and so do I!) but M-W-F? It takes some coaxing to get her out of bed, usually. Once she's up and breakfasted and actually AT school, she's fine- barely says good-bye to me!- but getting her there can sometimes be rough.
Oh. I love that. When Lexi looks at me with big eyes as I'm walking out the door and says "No Momma, sit" it just breaks me. I would really like to just sit (for a few minutes). Love that picture
Aw! What a heart of gold :)
Poor Alexis! Why did her BFF switch schools? Do they live nearby, so you can at least plan a playdate?
@Jen--I think her BFF's Dad got a new job because he worked near the school, but they live waaaaaaay on the other side of town. Playdates are possible, but not really all that easy. Besides, they don't really solve the "She's not at school," problem.
She is pretty smart, isn't she?
If only is right. Gosh, could you imagine a world where work was that fun? Brainstorm ideas while running through sprinklers. Or snack while watching TV to input data.
I should totally start a fun company like that. It would be productive, right?
What a sneaky way to try to get you stay home! "SEE! look at all the things you don't get to do! I KNOW! Let's stay home!" Watch out for that one - she's only going to get deadlier. :)
I think it being summer makes it hard, as well (on top of losing her bestie). When my older was in preschool/daycare summer was rough because they weren't really doing a lot of learning activities at school - mostly just a little review here and there - and he got really bored, really fast. By the time he was ready to graduate from preschool I practically had to bribe him with chocolate every school morning just to get him moving and out the door. He was just so. bored. Alexis strikes me as very intelligent and I wouldn't be surprised to hear she's suffering the same problem.
Wow, my office is free of TV-watching, toy-playing, good snacks, story time, and sprinkler-splashing too. Staying home with Alexis does sound like way more fun...
No story time and crappy snacks - your work totally sucks!!