The Hauge Family: School

Dee and I are incredibly fortunate to have so much time to spend with our boys. They seem to be growing at warp speed and I often find myself taking in moment after moment, knowing all too well that our days will soon be filled with full time school, sports and playdates with friends. For those reasons, we were torn over putting Magnus in school part time, since kindergarten is literally around the corner. At the same time, we were hearing Magnus' talk about whether or not certain boys he played soccer with over the summer were his friends, and getting giddy when he'd see them around town (which happens quite frequently on the island we've learned). With these signs of wanting to meet more playmates, and not just randomly at the park, we decided he was needing some more socialization that was a bit more regular. We were delighted to come across the Island Children Montessori and their teaching staff. They were welcoming without pushing Magnus into being comfortable in this new surrounding before he was ready, and they were willing to accommodate a flexible schedule that comes with being a firefighter and part-time teacher. Magnus couldn't wait to go to "Tomas' school" on the first day--a little boy he had befriended during soccer camp and later learned attended ICM. An hour later when I picked him up (it was just a "starter day") he exclaimed, "I had a great day at school today mommy!" There was a little uneasiness when I dropped him off the next day for three hours, but he was distracted by some chalk drawing and I made my escape without tears. On the third day, I wanted to be "that parent" lingering outside the classroom until his outbursts and tears subsided, but I made myself walk away (with a tear or two welling up, I will admit) knowing that this was normal, and he'd be fine in a couple of minutes. Upon pick-up, I was assured of that, and he once again shouted, "I had a great day at school today mommy!" So far, Magnus loves the painting and chalk drawing easel, and "recess" on their playground. He is quite enamoured by his friend, Tomas, and I often hear more about Tomas and what he did at school than what Magnus himself did! If I ever teach kindergarten again, I can now say, "I get it" with regards to the parents that have a hard time letting go at drop off. But there is such joy in hearing him talk enthusiastically about how much fun he had as well, that I try to let that be my guide on those tearful mornings.

Magnus peers inside his classroom with his "big boy backpack." The day it arrived in the mail he wore it through dinner and didn't take it off until bedtime.