Two weeks ago Aria finished up her first year it nursery, her pre pre-school year. Now, you may be thinking wow that was quick? Well you are right, as she actually only started 3 months ago. I wrote about my worries and fears of her starting nursery back then. Aria, like the rest of my winter babies, miss out on the majority of their pre pre-school nursery year. In Scotland children start nursery the term after their third birthday. She started in the Easter term. Any child born March to the beginning of August will start in August when the schools go back and get two full years at nursery before school. With all mine being December and January they start half way through or just in the final term. It will mean that Aria will start school next August!! Can you believe it? We do have the opportunity to defer, with her being one of the youngest, but time will tell on that front.
I have to say I was really worried about how she’d get on, she doesn’t talk to adults much, including her own aunt, whom she sees a lot and adores. She’s not necessarily she, she’s stubborn. However, she surprised me and made me proud as I always am of her. She took it all in her stride. She went straight in and never looked back.
Aria is a little chatter box, I’ve yet to find a word that she won’t attempt. Yet, when it comes to people chatting to her she refuses. Aria has made friends at nursery, friends who run up to her and friends she talks about at home. She’s even seen one outside of nursery. Her favourite place to play is still the indoor sandpit and with the outdoor toys. Her nursery teacher said that she heard this loud booming voice, she turned around and there was Aria shouting on her friend. She’s loud she commented. Yes she can be.
She is enjoying nursery, eating her snack and she will join in with songs. She won’t volunteer to chat to the nursery staff, but is answering questions when asked. She is participating in most group activities and most importantly interacting with other children. It’s only been a short three months for me, but three months can feel like a lifetime to a 3 year old. She’s even asking if she’s going to nursery every day so far of the summer holidays, what more can I ask for. There were no tears and no clinging on to my legs after the first 10 minutes. I have to say, my proudest moment was seeing her on stage with the nursery graduates and the rest of her friends in the pre pre-school year. She even went up to collect her certificate with pride in her step.
Regular readers of my blog or followers on twitter, will remember the issues I had when potty training this little Miss. I tried and failed miserably on several times, before listening to wiser parents twitter who advised me to wait until she was three. I was worried about holding off for this long as she had to be toilet trained before starting nursery. On her 3rd birthday she decides, today is the day and we have never looked back. She has never even so much as had a dribble of an accident. Even all night, from day 1. How amazing is that? I am converted and happy for all those who gave me the advice to say ‘I told you so’. The issue I had was that she could go almost 24 hours without having an accident or going to the toilet. This happened when I was at work or when we were out. Her bladder control, is still better than anyone I know. Ok, let’s face it, us mum’s are mainly at the sneeze and pee stage, but she’s got a bladder of steel. After several agonising months we’ve cracked it. She will go with my mum and my mother in law. She will go when we take her out in public toilets, providing she flushes them first, who can blame her. Nursery toilet’s is another step, but she is only in 2 1/2 hours a day, so it’s no biggy. I think this is a huge leap forward and what a wee star she is. It has been far more stressful than the boys potty training. Even after three kids, you are always learning and the biggest light bulb moment is when you realise all children are different. Unique in their own special way.
Next summer feels like a long way off, I know it’ll pass quickly and I am going to cherish every moment I can. I will shed many a tear when I see her graduate from nursery. It only seems like yesterday that she was born. For now I am proud of the little lady is she becoming and yes, I’m still working on that pause button!
