January 21, 2010 Letter

Dear Aaron,

I want to tell you a story about a precious little boy. Why yes, that would be you. I want to tell you a little bit about you.

When you first came to live with us, daddy was still off on summer vacation but not for too much longer, so we struggled with finding you a daycare. One that would take care of you, and love you and teach you. We thought we had found the perfect place. It was near our house, and we knew the person who managed it. You seemed to do okay for a while, but then the “teachers” there said you were having bad dreams at naptime. There was a mean kid there that bit you and left a scar. I cried a lot when that happened. You didn’t seem to be thriving with the two year olds, so we asked them to move you up and into the three year old class.

That seemed to work for a while, but then they told us you were having horrible tantrums, and more bad dreams. Your attitude at home got worse, too. You didn’t want to do anything, except watch TV, and that wasn’t how we wanted you to grow up. We tried everything to make it better for you. Different bed times, bribing you with “candy” (actually it was Flintstones Gummy Vitamins), begging, pleading and crying. Nothing seemed to work. Then a week before Christmas, they said we couldn’t bring you back. Fortunately, daddy and I were off for the holiday and were able to be with you.

I can honestly say, I’ve never even heard of a two year old getting kicked out of daycare. I was shocked and angry. Sadly, I was angry with you, as well as them. I wondered what I was doing wrong. I knew you could be a good boy, but you refused to be good at daycare.

Things settled down and we celebrated Christmas with Grammy and Grampa and Mimi and Pop. You made out like a bandit. I had to come home and clean out your toy box so that you would have room for all of your new toys. In the back of my mind, though, was the worry that you would act badly at your new “school” and we would be stuck in the same boat.

I look back at it now and shake my head. I’m so sorry I didn’t listen to you. All of your acting out was trying to tell me that you didn’t like it there. You’ve been at your new school for three weeks and you love every minute of it there. Some days, you don’t want to come home with me when it is time to go. Your potty training is going really well (for the most part), you laugh and smile and play all of the time, and best of all, when you come home, now you want to play with mommy and daddy and not just watch movies. And if you do want to watch a movie, you want us to watch it with you.

I love you, sweetheart, and I’m so glad you’re home now.

All my love,
Xoxo
Mommy