We have just left Dani in his new school. The last we saw of him he was being carried outside to the play area (referred to as the “patio”) to be shown the balls and toy motorbikes.

A good start…

It all started off quite well. He woke up early as if he knew today was going to be different. He ate some breakfast and was dressed in his new uniform. Everything was happy and calm. Even when we arrived at the school he was still quite content. Possibly more taken aback by all the other new arrivals and their parents. Inside the noisy reception area there were a few older looking women dressed in white nurse’s uniforms. Not sure if they are actually qualified nurses or just some other sort of medical assistants but they were dressed in crisp white uniforms with the nurse’s hats. The old fashioned kind of uniform. It all seemed a little surreal to me. One flew over…

It was busy and there was a small amount of queueing required before Dani was shown to his allocated classroom. Inside most of his new classmates were already there, all with their name tags pinned onto their shirts. One little boy (I think it said Jaime on his tag) was crying in the arms of a “nurse” as she was taking him out through a rear door supposedly leading to the “patio”. One flew over…

Dani seemed to be settling in or at least giving that impression. The teachers were trying to engage the children with various games and toys to distract them while their parents sneaked off to work. Jaime returned in the arms of the “nurse”, no longer crying. Looking more dazed and confused than anything. Meanwhile a different assistant/nurse carried another child out back presumably to be calmed down. One flew over…

Reality kicks in…

Finally it dawned on the poor boy. He was going to be left there and we were not just having a quick visit. He began to cry and begged both of us not to go. One or two of the teachers moved in to try to distract Dani with books and questions about what he liked. The first stage of distress control. The nurse who had carried Jaime out back moved closer realising that Dani was going to let it all out. My heart grew heavy and I realised we would be leaving him in a very upset state. But leave him we must and we were now looking for a way to sneak out. Not that he wouldn’t notice we had gone of course. The nurse picked Dani up and carried him off to the “patio”. One flew over…

He was in tears and quite upset but that was our chance. We left the building and I felt terrible. That was far more upsetting for me than I had expected.

So now he knows…

For sure tomorrow will be worse. I can’t see him wanting to get dressed never mind eat breakfast. He now needs to eat breakfast before school because unlike the nursery where they were given an early morning snack the kids do not eat till lunchtime at this school.

It seemed to be more like an emotional distress control scene than a classroom. The only things missing were Jack Nicholson and a big Indian Chief. One flew over…

I am trying to see the funny side but it was quite upsetting for my poor little boy. Hopefully by the time I have written this he will have settled in. Hopefully…

As always, time will tell…