Some people are born to work with preschoolers. I am not one of those people.
My baby turned five in January. He’ll be in kindergarten this fall. I am fighting fewer fits and accidents, he can dress himself, and we’re leaving a realm we have been in for over ten years- Preschoolerdom.
Preschoolerdom is not a rational place. It happily eats paste and dog food, sleeps at times and places you wish it wouldn’t, and makes you laugh and cry in the same five minutes. I’d love to say enjoy every minute, but in most moments, I wondered if I was going to survive without a permanent twitch.
Here are my only words of wisdom survival: Worry less, laugh more, and know that this too shall pass. This stage is physically exhausting. Take naps when you can. Ask for and accept help. Then chant with me…this too shall pass.
So, as I leave Preschoolerdom, most of me celebrates and breathes a sigh of relief. A small nostalgic bird in me tweets a mourning song, but just the thought of potty training four children squashes that bird flat. Praying for all you folks out there still in the throes and thrills of Preschoolerdom. It’s a journey you’ll never forget. Or recover from. In the best possible way, I mean. Maybe. Forget it…just hang on.
*Don’t hate me for leaving…I’m in Tweeniedom now, and we’re sure to revisit P-dom from time to time. Ten-, eleven-, and thirty-seven-year-olds still throw fits, but hopefully we’ve stopped eating the dog food.