It's Official...Hailey's a Preschooler

When a woman is pregnant, other women (and people in general) love to comment on giving birth and raising children.  People feel compelled to share horror labor stories.  Not sure why.  As if being pregnant and raising a child isn't difficult enough.  The same goes for education for children with special needs.  From the time Hailey was born, I've had people tell me horror stories about teaching teams and IEP meetings.  It scares you.  Fortunately, our experience this year (yes, I know, it's only preschool) wasn't like that.  Everyone seems to be on the same page and it appears we have reached an agreement as to what we would like Hailey's preschool education to look like.  Yes, I used "seems" which seems quite wishy-washy.  Frankly it is because we don't know how Hailey will react to preschool.  We don't know how she will learn.  We have no clue.  We know how she learns and reacts to her home setting, but preschool is a whole new ballgame.

I know some people don't understand why Hailey starting preschool at 3 is such a big deal.  First off, she's my baby.  Yes, I was nervous when both boys started and they started at 4 years and the other at 3 years and 3 months.  For the record, I cried when they both started school as well.  Secondly, it is difficult to give up the control of her learning and her environment.  I'm trusting people I don't know to do what's in the best interest of my child.  This is a huge milestone for Hailey.  I'm going to be honest, there was a time when we weren't even sure Hailey would live to see her 6 month birthday...I couldn't even think about her 3rd birthday!  Lastly, when most children start preschool, they are verbal.  When you drop them off at school, they know you are going to come back for them.  When you pick them up from school, you know they can tell you about their day.  They played with such and such on the slide.  They learned about the color "x".  They read a story about "y".  They had a snack of "z".  I don't have that.  I have a child who to the outside world is nonverbal.  I have a child who can't tell me if she had a good day.  She can't tell me that she colored a rainbow.  She can't tell me that little Susie sat beside her.  Now, think about how hard it would be to drop off your 3 year old at preschool.

Even though we are making a leap of faith with preschool, I still believe it is a good decision.  I think Hailey will love school and I think she will flourish.  I think she will enjoy the interaction with children her age and I think she will enjoy the break from mom. 

If you doubt any of the above, check out Hailey's pictures below.  We had wrapped up our meeting when the class arrived.  As the kids walked into class, Hailey waved and said "hi".  The children hung up their coats and started sitting at the tables.  Little miss followed suit.  She grabbed a chalkboard, started drawing and erasing.  She was content...she was happy.  No one batted an eyelash.  I'm not even sure the kids noticed her not belonging to the class with the exception of the little boy whose seat she had stolen!

Wish this wasn't so blurry.  She was having a ball!

After a burrito bowl for lunch, the excitement got the best of her.

Within two hours, I received my first email from Hailey's new teacher.  Seems absolutely crazy!