Dream: I hear Mommy and her other Mommy friends chatting and getting weepy over us kiddos starting preschool. Then to make it worse, they start sharing and reading letters that Mommy’s write to their children about their emotions on the eve of this first day of preschool. So instead of having Mommy write me a note and making her cry, I thought I could make her laugh and write a note to her instead. No need for the waterworks.
Reality: I wake up from the aforementioned dream, realize I am a child prodigy and begin to type said note. Ahem, here it goes…
Dear Mommy,
My first day of preschool is fast approaching. I know this is a really, really big day and I will feel extra special as we walk to school holding hands. I promise to hold tight and not let go, especially when we cross the street. Then I will feel like a movie star when greeted by the Mommy paparazzi taking my first day of school pictures. Don’t worry: I promise to flash my best smile and wear my first day of school outfit. (But we all know I rock it when I go out in my dress up costumes. Everyone says I look fab and stops to smile. I can pull that off. Mommy cannot.) I will be so very happy because you have done all you can in your power to prepare me for this day and now I can take it from here.
I have learned so many important life lessons from you as my strong role model even if you don’t realize. I like to test you sometimes but I really know right from wrong and lots of other good stuff. I will try to use my listening ears to make you pleased and adjust them when they forget to work. When I remember, I will always say please, thank you, you’re welcome or most importantly, no thank you! Miss Manners will be proud. I won’t ever push, hit, take toys or try to eat anyone else (bite as you call it)-that’s not how I roll. And if someone does that to me, I will tell them to stop, not to do it, and if I have to, will tell my teacher. See how smart and strong I am?
Thank goodness you haven’t resorted to flash cards like some people we know but be confident that I know and love my colors, shapes, letters, and most numbers. And be patient and remember that the whole counting consecutively thing will come in time. Besides, I can dress myself, eat with a fork and spoon, ride my scooter, and wear fancy underwear since I even pee pee on the potty now (let’s not discuss the other half of that!). And about the latter, no one else can yell to everyone in the elevator, “I’m wearing fancy underwear” and get a round of applause besides me. When my favorite neighbor said: “Me, too!” No one cheered. So you can see that I will do great things worthy of applause. I clearly already know how to win friends and influence people.
Separation will be easy. We talked about it a million times. Literally. I will enter the classroom with Mommy, place my backpack in my special cubby, immediately make friends (yes, I know to say: “Hello, My name is Elle. What’s your name? Let’s be friends!”), and win my teachers over with my charm. Consider yourself lucky since you will have to prompt me to say goodbye and then you can cry outside the window if you need to but know I am okay. So hold strong Mommy. As you say, I love you with all my heart and Mommy always comes back. And it’s only three hours! You won’t have time to miss me.
Preschool is going to be amazing for everyone. Who knows what I will learn each day, how much paint I can spill, what I may discover in dress-up corner, combust in science lab, or just how many times I will need that extra change of clothes they ask you to pack. But what I know for sure is that I will have a great, big hug for you when you pick me up and tell you I love you. And because of you I will thrive in and love preschool!
Love,
Elle Belle
Elle Belle is an adorable toddler who lives in the Upper East Side of Manhattan with her magnificent mommy and dapper dad. She enjoys cruising around NYC in her stroller while making everyone smile wherever she goes. She can be reached at ellebellenyc@gmail.com.
