La Rentree

It’s one thing to move overseas as an adult and have a rough day when nothing about your new home is feeling as a home should, and you find yourself thinking about how comfortable everything was back in that place you volunteered to leave behind. At least you realize that ups and downs are expected, and that the whole experience is so valuable you need to just plow through.

It’s entirely another when you move overseas and it’s your child that is feeling uncomfortable and afraid and your assurances that it will get easier etc. mean nothing to them because they are living 100% in the present.

This is our reality at the moment.

Upon our return from Paris, we had rushed over to the girls’ schools (Lily is in the local “La Maternelle” school for 3 to 6 year olds, Grace in the adjoining school for 7 - 10 year olds) the afternoon before school started. We absolutely lucked out meeting both of the girls’ teachers and having a look around their classrooms. Both girls seemed very relieved and positive about their schools and I was elated: the teachers were very kind and generous with their time and we all would know our way around the next day....a sure recipe for smooth sailing.....

However, by the next morning all of our pre-school jitters were back. The girls were so brave walking to the school and waiting for the bell to ring, but as you can see by the picture, they were both very nervous. (If I don’t look nervous myself, it’s due to my great acting in front of the girls.) When first entering the class, Lily tried to concentrate on a puzzle and not cry, but quickly resorted to crying and clinging, while I tried not to cry and to reassure. There was some very sweet children curious about the little girl and Mommy talking English, but Lily was too distraught to interact. Quickly, Lily’s teacher and I decided that Lily would not stay for lunch that day. When we picked her up for the 2 hour lunch break, she seemed subdued and made it clear that she did not want to return that afternoon. Feeling a high amount of motherly guilt and worry, I prematurely asked her if she liked school a little, medium or big bit. The response “None. I hate school.” At that point, I knew it had to be Barry dropping her off for the afternoon.

Although there were some tears to start off the next morning, by the time we picked her up at 11:30, to my huge relief, she was much more the Lily we know, and when I asked the same question as I did yesterday, school got a “medium like”; ahhhhh, the sigh of a partly relieved Mom! Lily’s teacher has been doing her best to translate things into English for her, so appreciated. It’s amazing to us that already she has asked us the meaning of “maitresse”, “avec toi”, “vas-y” and “Anglais”.

After the week-end, this morning was difficult for her again and today she tries staying for lunch. Our fingers are crossed.

Grace had a mildy positive report after her first day. (“Mommy, I only wimpered for a minute”). She really likes her teacher, and sits beside a girl who speaks English and is happy to be around other children. She is thrilled with the lunch program (if you know Grace, this isn’t a surprise). Grace had one hour to savour the following on her first day of school: Poireaux vinagrette/ Poulet roti certifie aigre douce et rix bio cantonais/ Carre de l’est a la coupe/ Peche. Not a hot dog for miles. A few hurdles exist for her as well; she doesn’t like all the french nor the difficulty of the work. We just keep stressing that her job is to do her best and learn some more french, not keep up with her classmates. A sentiment that her teacher repeated which I think helped take some of the stress off of her.

We really do expect school to become more and more enjoyable and positive for the girls as their french improves. Today, the getting there is not feeling easy, and I wish I could speed it up for both of them.

All the best to our wonderful teaching friends back home as they return to the classroom tomorrow, and to all the little ones we know also heading back. Hope it is happy and tear-free for all!