1 Mother 2 Another

I’ve been filled with optimism these
first few days of school; Maddie seems to be handling it well, and
we’ve had a virtual absence of meltdowns after school, so
I’ve been enjoying seeing my sunny, lighthearted girl from
the summer continue on into the school year.


Yesterday, unfortunately, we did seem to hit a bit of a speed bump.
Nothing major; a boy teasing her during gym class, and a point in
class when she almost got in trouble for something she didn’t
do. On their own, nothing major, completely doable.

But for whatever reason, it was enough to
wear Maddie out by the end of the night to the point at which she
was crying and fretting with worry about the next day. Making this
no less easy is Maddie’s current attempt to leave her Silky
at home all week, depriving her of her “secret
snuggles” at her backpack when class seems to overwhelm her a
bit.


I refuse to sink into despair yet; my child is older and stronger
and more confident, and has the tools to handle these small things.


But I do so NOT want to see the return of my unhappy, anxious girl
from last spring.