God Bless Preschool Teachers!

Yesterday was my day to co-op (volunteer) in Z's preschool classroom. My actual assigned day was the week of my due date but another mom took pity on me and switched days :) At Z's school there is a parent (or grandparent) volunteer in the classroom everyday. As it turns out we have to co-op once every two months (not bad at all). As the co-op parent, your child is the child of the day, you provide snack for the entire class, help out in the classroom and lead a special project.

I was very excited about the chance to see Z's classroom in action but timing was not right. I am still so exhausted from the birthday festivities over the weekend and I didn't think it was in Z's best interest to have me at school with him today. You see he had to miss school all last week because of his runny nose (they can't go to school with a runny nose without a doctor's note, all because of the H1N1 flu). It worried me that having mom with him on his third day of school might make going alone on Friday that much harder, we shall see.

After spending 3 whole hours with 11 three year olds (2 were out), I have a new respect for preschool teachers and daycare providers! They are saints!!!! Yes, I am a teacher but I taught 2nd and 3rd grade. In 2nd and 3rd grade, you tell them to do something and they do it. Three year olds (especially those who are new to the school experience) need to be told again and again and again and then you have to model it again and again and again....it is exhausting (funny but exhausting)! By the time we went out for recess (the last activity of the day), I was covered in paint (my special project), and just wanted to put my feet up (in a normal sized chair) and enjoy a nice glass of wine. Knowing the wine would not be coming my way, I dreamed of a nice cup of hot apple cider and a slice of my homemade apple cake!

I did have a wonderful time in Z's class and really enjoyed seeing him interact in the classroom. The children are lovely and for the most part are very well behaved. Z might have been glued to my side but I have to admit that it felt so nice to be loved. He is not going to want me around forever so I will take it as much as I can now :) S is volunteering for us in December and I can't wait to hear about his experiences!