Today it has hit 60 degrees and I feel like I can finally breathe a little. This winter was PAINFULLY long, what with the absolutely ungodly below zero temps we had for most of January and the first part of February. We tried to get out to play in the snow but with a one year old who wasn’t yet walking it was pretty tough lugging him in the carrier in all our winter gear while chasing after a little sprite of a three year old. Now though, he is walking and the sidewalks are cleared for stroller use. Hallelujah!!
Yesterday we went for a walk around the neighborhood and stopped off at the park and I got some huge insight into Rowan’s development. When it was time to go she…left peacefully. This is so absolutely gigantic because this girl is the queen of all beings that yell, kick, cry, punch, scream and fight in the face of transitions. I quite honestly thought she would grow up, live a long life, and upon her death she would be honored as the patron saint of jerk-hole transitioners: Our Holy Lady of Perpetual Rock-Throwing Bye-Bye Angst or something. I would break into a sweat every time I had to tell her it was time to leave. We tried warning her in increments for awhile, 10/5/2/1 minutes until it was time to go- but that just made her more edgy and she learned that by the time we hit 1 minute she should start running in the opposite direction (so crafty, this one). Then we tried prizes for the days when she left politely but to her a sticker or a little toy when we got home just wasn’t worth it- she would rather stay and play. The only thing that got us through last summer was a juice box and/or fruit snacks when it was time to go but oh holy hell did I pay if I forgot one or both of those things.
Winter seemed so stagnant, slow and never changing but while we were holed up in front of the fire reading books and playing Candyland, Rowan’s brain was working some things out and I am so amazed. And THANKFUL. Our transitions at preschool have gotten progressively easier but I thought it was because she was getting used to the routine. I didn’t hold out hope that she was getting over what has hands down been the most challenging point in her development. I’m sure this hasn’t wrapped itself up neatly in a box (that will probably be taken out and opened by her brother in a month or two) but it shows she CAN leave a fun place without bribes or screaming and that gives us much needed hope.
My super kaduper life 