Separation Anxiety

In preparation for Mer's introduction to school, we were anticipating a bit of separation anxiety. While talking about school and what to expect, she would repeatedly ask if we would really leave her there and if we do, then she does not want to go.  When the first day of school finally arrived, our big girl gracefully crossed over to being a school girl without anxiety...well, perhaps just a little thanks to a very well played "introduction" by her school.  Little did I realized that it's not Mer but Ickey who will be shedding tears because of this daily separation. 

We avoided any added stress to Mer's first day by not including Ickey in the morning walk to school. So by day two, excited Mer woke up really early prompting her little sis' to follow her as well.  Ickey welcomed the idea to walk her sister to school but perhaps because she had the notion that she will be joining her there as well.  So you could imagine her disappointment and I guess, her anxiety of leaving her sister there while we walked back home without Mer. She was very upset!!!

A mini date with Mommy to Starbucks and a bit of errand running cleared her mind and was happier when we came back to pick up Mer a few hours later. So much so that was even able to enjoy the school playground for a few minutes before dismissal time along with other little ones waiting to pick up their big brother or sister as well.  She also got to go inside Mer classroom as I spoke to Mers teacher for a little bit.  Perhaps seeing what Mer was doing and knowing that everything looked okay in there eased her anxiety quite a bit that she didn't complain anymore about her sisters sudden disappearance every morning.

Next year she will be joining her big sis' in the same school when it's her turn to enter into kindergarten.  Until then, I'll be enjoying my extra cuddle time with my baby knowing that in a years time it will be her turn to let go of my hand to take her next step to independence.