Too Cool for School

Used to be, transitions back to school after a break were difficult for Riley. If it went any longer than a weekend (say, a three day weekend?) it was like starting over. The crying. The clinging, etc.

Today we woke up and lit some candles and did a guided meditation as a family. Body part by body part we tensed and relaxed all our muscles. We breathed.

Then, after combing her hair, Riley and I held hands and did 100 "I approve of myselfs."

There was one little blow up on the way out the door when they had to stop playing and get coats on, but she got through it quickly.

Then on the way to school she started to fret. HT and I braced ourselves.

"Riley, what's wrong?"

Walking along the sidewalk she said, "How come I'm the only one that has to walk to school with their family? It's so embarrassing!!!"

Stifling a laugh, I said, "Riley, you can walk ahead of us if you like."

She did.

First ten paces. Then twenty.

Her gate turned into a bit of a swagger, and every so often she'd glance back casually to see how far behind we were. Seth loved it, having his parents to himself to do 1,2,3 swing him up in the air.

When we got to the school, Riley lined up with her class, but we stayed back.

When the doors opened, we walked in way behind her.

That kid walked right into her class, no fuss, no muss. After a long break!!!

Knock us over with a feather.

HT had to come home and take a nap to celebrate.