Hallotween
Preschool can be a double-edged sword.
While it offers vast opportunities for a child to learn the fundamentals of socialization and classroom etiquette, it may also begin to strip away traces of childhood innocence.
For the first time, Babisodes (who is no longer a baby) is attending preschool four days a week. Since there is real a possibility she will be attending Kindergarten next fall, this is an attempt to build her social skills with several half days of preschool per week. We hope that this will help to provide a smooth transition, rather than throwing her straight into Kindergarten 5 days a week cold turkey.
In just a few short weeks, she has already made great strides. Despite the fact that she is the youngest in her class by at least several months, her teachers have assured me that she is keeping up with her peers and making strong social connections.
Sounds like pride swelling news for any parent, right?
Now before I begin to sound like a curmudgeon mom, allow me to start off by saying I am very proud of my daughter. I relish in her sudden stockpile of knock-knock jokes. I grinned ear-to-ear when she was able to greet every classmate by name in the second week of school. And her sharpening skills for letters and numbers amaze me each day as she brings home heaping stacks of crafts and projects (how do parents fit all this crap on their refrigerators?).
However, while her intellectual, fine motor, and social skills refine, the preschool environment has nurtured personality traits we have never seen before.
Traits I am unsure if I was prepared for just yet.
Babisodes leaves class every day holding hands with a male classmate. She only talks about her boy friends (notice they’re 2 separate words). And she provides a daily report of which boys attended class and which did not.
Despite our efforts to nudge her in the direction of her female peers, she seems completely apathetic.
She has also developed a new skill for bullying.
…and talking back.
Oh, and let’s not forget the classic eye-roll and exasperated sigh.
Especially when mom wants to snap a photo of her in costume before the preschool Halloween party.
(The look of 4-year old disdain)
After 4,367 attempts to get her to smile, this was the best I got.
Please don’t tell me this is “just a phase” that will last 20 years.
I was tempted to Photoshop in heavy dark eyeliner, long wispy bangs and black nail polish. However, I don’t think I could handle the image of an emo 4-year old.
I suppose I should be thankful though. She did excitedly request to wear the same Minnie Mouse costume she wore last Halloween all over again. Saved me a few bucks.
I just hope it’s not because all the boys missed how cute she was in it last year.
lol… at least she’s still cute. & i’m sure it won’t last 20 years!
October 29th, 2009 at 9:00 pm
LOL…I’m just cracking up b/c I was obsessed with the fact that my son wanted to play with girls all last year in pre-K. He plays with boys now and seems to have many friends who are boys, although he tells me this certain girl is his favorite classmate!
Emily´s last blog ..PSF and an orange and blue Halloween
October 29th, 2009 at 9:17 pm
Uh oh…well, hopefully she’ll just get it all out of her system now!
Muthering Heights´s last blog ..Picture Day – Ninth Grade
October 29th, 2009 at 9:42 pm
I completely sympathize. My four-year-old also only likes the boys in her class and got a talking to for trying to kiss two of them on the playground last week. SHE. IS. FOUR. ::insert me screaming::
On a positive, Babisodes is utterly adorable, eye roll and all.
October 29th, 2009 at 9:53 pm
I’m seriously dreading the eye roll phase. I know it’s coming but I have another year or so before we do preschool so I’m cherishing my (not so) little baby before he becomes all boy! Btw, I love your new profile pic with the Halloween touches
Laura @ 29 and Counting´s last blog ..Happy Halloweeny!
October 29th, 2009 at 10:25 pm
Jameil- Oh I hope you’re right
Emily- Oh man. My daughter totally has a favorite boy classmate, too. She gets all upset when he doesn’t want to play with her. Ugh.
Muthering Heights- I sure hope you’re right, too!
Kimberly- Oh man. Perhaps we could somehow get our daughters together. Sounds like they have quite a bit in common.
Laura @ 29 and counting- Definitely cherish the time. I miss it already!
October 29th, 2009 at 10:28 pm
OMG! She is so freaking cute! Even if she wasn’t smiling – she’s still adorable.
October 29th, 2009 at 10:29 pm
Not 20 years, 16 or 17 at the most. But, truly… Babisodes is adorable.
Tara R.´s last blog ..SkyWatch Friday, season 4, episode 16
October 29th, 2009 at 11:41 pm
She looks so cute! As for the eye rolling and talking back, my son is 2 1/2 and he’s already doing that. I don’t even want to know what 4 will bring me.
Mama in Suburbia´s last blog ..Say it with flowers
October 29th, 2009 at 11:42 pm
She is sooooooooooooooooo darling!!!!!
I had to “lol” about what you said about the emo 4 year old!
Alicia´s last blog ..FRIDAY PHOTO FLASHBACK
October 29th, 2009 at 11:56 pm
First of all, that is an adorable picture!
Next, don’t sweat the boy stuff. The attitude stuff though, sweat that a bit more. The boy stuff is your own mature mind working against you. My oldest daughter, although very anti-social, has always had just male friends in pre-school and now real school. Although we don’t know how much “friends” they are as she is really very shy. The innocence of the age sees no real understanding of difference between boy and girl just like races and religions. If only that never changed with age the world would be a better place….
Some advice regarding the pre-school. If at all possible to get her into a week or two of full 5 day routines, that would be good. Although she’s fully adjusted now, going from 3 or 4 had day routines to full 5 day weeks was a lot for a 5 year old AND her parents! Probably more the parents…
Hockeyman´s last blog ..Stay At Home Dad
October 30th, 2009 at 12:02 am
Oh my! She’s already at that point? LOL! I can’t imagine I was that way at 4! (Ok; so I probably was… but I don’t want to believe it because that means that my little one will be that way as well. UGH.)
But, she does make an ADORABLE Minnie Mouse
Jac´s last blog ..A Geography Lesson
October 30th, 2009 at 12:31 am
What to do with all the excess crafts? Send it to the grandparents so they can put some on their fridge. You can hardly see my fridge for all the crafts and I love it.
She is adorable. I bet Ben and Sam would love her too! LOL
October 30th, 2009 at 12:45 am
Ah yes, I know the look well, but Minnie was a bit sassy too, no? Tonight I had to tell Dova, “No hugging on the soccer field!” She kept hugging A BOY.
And the papers? Keep about one or two a month and recycle the rest. It gets more and more as school progresses. Adam comes home with about 20 sheets a week now!
Angela at mommy bytes´s last blog ..PSF – Catching Some Air
October 30th, 2009 at 2:05 am
Ah well, daughters were born to drive moms crazy. But deep down, they still adore their mums.
sophia´s last blog ..Celebration
October 30th, 2009 at 2:16 am
Awww… what a cute Minnie Mouse!
It is worrying what our children would pick up outside, especially attitudes. I hope that they won’t last, and that what they learn from our homes would shine through.
ceemee´s last blog ..Chowder you doing today?
October 30th, 2009 at 5:22 am
i completely agree with sophiya. daughter, doesn’t matter how maniac they arre, will always have their heart made of butter…when it comes of moms.
October 30th, 2009 at 6:09 am
She’s just developing her own personality. Whether she’ll be strong willed or not…yadda yadda, lol. The first time my daughter yelled ‘I hate you” to me was not long after she started preschool. I was CRUSHED.
Yes, it’s a phase, but it won’t last 20 yrs. Only about 13. (sorry. I cannot tell a lie, lol) Buckle yourself in, it’s gonna be a lonnnnnng ride.
sheila´s last blog ..So what are you going as?
October 30th, 2009 at 6:12 am
Oh my word!!!! She is seriously adorable!!!!!!
Kat´s last blog ..The Rest of the Story— The Reveal Part 2
October 30th, 2009 at 9:39 am
Yeah, daughters can be that way (and my oldest is only 8). Rest assured, however, that there are some cute moments. Undoubtedly to help get you through the tougher times.
Joyce-Anne´s last blog ..A Meme
October 30th, 2009 at 10:03 am
LOL! I feel your pain… but she is just TOO cute!
Rachel @ Grasping for Objectivity´s last blog ..A Stinky Reason is Better than No Reason…
October 30th, 2009 at 10:21 am
So first of all, that kid of yours is just so CUTE! Smile or not those eyes are grown up melters.
My kids somehow seemed to master the eyeroll before they could form sentences. I’m pretty sure it’s payback for all the eyerolling I did as a tween/teenager. Sigh.
Cecily R´s last blog ..Photo Story Friday and Seasons Of Change
October 30th, 2009 at 10:21 am
Oh Jeez. She is going to have boys under her thumb in no time at all – if she hasn’t already. I’m so glad she can’t bury ME with that withering look – because Me? I’d just have to march her down to the nearest Toy Department/Micky D’s/Ice Creamery, etc. – where I could do SOMETHING to earn a smile.
lceel´s last blog ..Our House, Now
October 30th, 2009 at 11:47 am
She’s really cute in that costume! When I was in kindergarten (a little older, but I’m not sure they had preschool back then), I had one boy, Joey, I played with all the time when I was at school. When I went to my 25th high school reunion, I recognized Joey (and his wife) immediately and we smiled at each other, even though we stopped being in contact much after kindergarten. He was such a nice guy.
October 30th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
Maybe she’s just enjoying the fact that there are those different than her. I’m pretty sure she will go into the boys are icky stage so I wouldn’t worry. BTW – She is so cute!!!!!
October 30th, 2009 at 2:19 pm
At this age, does the sex of her friends really matter?
Of course, this could be a life long trait. I don’t really get along with other women, either. Most of my good friends tend to be male.
(Hubby is so happy about that).
the Mother´s last blog ..She’s a Witch! May We Burn Her?
October 30th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
She is so adorable. Growing up the majority of my friends were always boys. Now its different, but I still find it easier to be friends with males.
Maria @ Conversations with Moms´s last blog ..Friday Frustrations – A Mix
October 30th, 2009 at 5:33 pm
love the title of this post! very clever! she’s such a cute minnie mouse. i am so curious to know if you’ll have another future teenage daughter or a son to balance things out.
Taraneh´s last blog ..Oh, I Get By With a Little Help From My Friends
October 30th, 2009 at 9:31 pm
I am sure she is just enjoying the roughhousey boys, who always seemed like more fun to me. My tomboy daughter definitely gravitates towards the boys. It makes me a little nervous for the future, but I hope it helps teach her to hold her own.
Cara´s last blog ..Cover Yourself, Madame!
October 30th, 2009 at 10:11 pm
She is beautiful and if there was a holiday where a smile was not mandatory it woud be Halloween no? What a precious outfit!
I got no good pics of my little ones at the pre-school bash. They got treats before I could get the camera and well, they are covered in goo from the start!
October 30th, 2009 at 11:24 pm
That is one cute minnie =)
louann´s last blog ..Chomp Chomp Chomp
October 31st, 2009 at 3:38 am
Wow! Sounds like trouble if you ask me hehe… Let’s hope she puts off breaking hearts another 15 to 20 years.
philos´s last blog ..I 8 to educate! You should too!
October 31st, 2009 at 5:46 am
She is sooooooo cute! I love it. No wonder she is holding hands with boys!!!
And it is funny how quickly they start to change when they get around other kids … the “corruption” starts fast!
Jenners´s last blog ..Game 10: Goofy Porn Movie Titles
October 31st, 2009 at 10:04 pm
She’s adorable! I so enjoyed this post. All I have to say is this, “And so it begins.”
Puna´s last blog ..Easy Baby
November 1st, 2009 at 8:49 am
Aww…she looks perfect!
Asianmommy´s last blog ..Happy Halloween!
November 1st, 2009 at 2:35 pm
She is so adorable! And, yes, I get the eye roll and the hand on hip, the sigh and the stomp. From TWO girls. It sure isn’t easy. Hang in there!
Fairly Odd Mother´s last blog ..Got candy? Here’s how to get rid of it
November 1st, 2009 at 10:33 pm
OMG…that is a priceless picture. I don’t get the eyeroll…just a lot of deep sighs. Preschoolers…
Nap Warden´s last blog ..Bring on the Freak Show
November 2nd, 2009 at 12:23 am
She is adorable, smile or not. We had the same problem when Aidan started school. All sorts of backtalk, eyerolling and interesting words started appearing. After a few weeeks, the novelty wore off and he returned to his normal sweet self – with the occassional bratty kid outburst.
I’m sure the supercute Babisodes will be back to normal soon!
perpstu´s last blog ..Off and Running…ok, Walking…Tiptoeing Even
November 2nd, 2009 at 11:36 am
That is about the absolutely sweetest Halloween photo I have ever seen!
Preschool is a great idea.
Be prepared for her to soon go through the whole “you’re not my friend, anymore” thing they all eventually say to each other, which shocked me to no end at first. Just one of those things that seems to spread like wildfire through the preschool ranks, so don’t be too freaked out as I was, when you start hearing that. It all passes. And entirely too fast.
Jannie Funster´s last blog ..Baby’s First Halloween
November 2nd, 2009 at 1:29 pm
She is adorable. I sympathize about preschool teaching good and some bad skills too. My daughter has started name calling. the names are not too bad but still I’d rather she wasn’t calling her brother a “poopy head”.
Secret Mom Thoughts´s last blog ..Not Me Monday
November 2nd, 2009 at 2:26 pm
I thought they waited until kindergarten to turn into teenagers… I completely understand that rolling of the eyes and the sigh… Who taught them that???
Cookie´s last blog ..Sick
November 2nd, 2009 at 6:46 pm
Ah yes preschool personality disorders.
I could not agree with you more. When W.W. started I too thought it would be good to build those social skills in additional to all those motor skills etc. However, mine has developed the innate whining ability about everything and talking back and the word no just flows from his mouth endlessly. Sometimes I wonder about “socialization.” LOL
November 3rd, 2009 at 11:36 am
Mh, how are you going to do this anyway?
Will Babisodes get a new name?
Or will your other Babe get another name like Girlysodes (doesn’t sound right)?
Ah, I see now, where the fright in the other post comes from.
Girls do that stuff.
Ok, I admit,…, I kicked the living daylights out of most boys in first grade, but I guess I was an exception
And let me tell you, the behavior you are describing is exactly the one of my best friend’s niece
Girls
Grin and she does look cute
Nicole´s last blog ..Ice rink at Soho square, Naama bay in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt
November 3rd, 2009 at 12:26 pm
Lol, I remember those day with my oldest in preschool. I was amazed by the fashion consciousness and drama in the preschool classroom!
She is adorable though!
Serendipity is Sweet´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday
November 4th, 2009 at 9:18 am