Last year, my now 6 year old Mimi, had a brutal transition to preschool. In class she was an angel, always listening and respectful of her teacher. But at home she began talking back, sassing, and being very demanding. She and I battled that whole year with her new behaviors. I want to do everything I can to prevent the same thing from happening to Yaya, but I didn't know what I was supposed to do. I had been praying about this for over a week. I was starting to get worried that I wasn't going to get an answer, maybe I just needed to make the decision and then He will confirm it whether it is right or wrong. I new if it was up to my brain I would just get her into preschool. But my heart wasn't settled so I just kept praying and waiting.
Then yesterday the answer came. I was talking with Mimi and she mentioned her little friend she played with last year and how she doesn't really play with her anymore cause she is in a different class. Through working in the classroom last year, I was able to determine that her new little friend exhibited all of the same behaviors that I had seeing in Mimi and was desperately trying to undo. One friend, that's all it took to turn our household upside down for a whole year. I had made a request that they weren't in the same classroom for first grade and so far this year things have been much smoother. Mimi said that she now plays with another girl that she has known since she was 2 and is a great influence on her. I was pleased with her choice and then it clicked.
That was my answer. It's not letters and numbers, it's building strong friendships with good influences that will be in her school. Seeing it that way, I also realized that all of the children in Joy School are good influences but none of them will be attending Yaya's school. So while she would enjoy it now, it will not prepare her for kindergarten in the ways that she needs. Yaya has had a lot of playdates with the little girl down the street who is a good influence and will also be starting kindergarten at Yaya's school too. I need to continue to foster this friendship. I also thought of another little girl Yaya's age that will also be starting at her school next year too that I had met through church and Girl Scouts. Her mom and I have talked of doing a playdate before but have never done it. She is a good little girl and would be a good influence on Yaya. I will be calling her mom and setting up a playdate this week. I am now on the lookout for girls her age going to her school to see if they would be good friends for her. If she has already established these friendships before she starts kindergarten then she will gravitate to these same girls when thrown into the kindergarten "pond." And maybe the little oil that we as parents have put on their feathers will rub off on to each other and help to keep each other afloat.
Thank you Heavenly Father for answering my prayers.
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