Today was the last Shabbat party at Elliot’s preschool. I’ve stayed for many of them. Usually I’m the only parent who stays. I love these little parties.
The whole school, all ages and all teachers, go into the gym to sing songs, eat challah, drink grape juice and, at the end, dance.
Many of Elliot’s class wants to sit on my lap, dance with me, or have me pick them up, especially Aviva, Liam, Wellington, Piper, and a boy whose name I can’t remember. Sometimes Darien, too, and that is challenging for me since Darien is often mean to Elliot.
Leaving Elliot after these parties is difficult for him. I’ve usually stayed an hour in the classroom before the party even begins, playing with Elliot, guiding him through practicing writing his name, reading books, then clean-up time and line-up for the gym. Another 30 minutes for the party, and by then he really really does not want me to leave. He often has tears and won’t let go of me. I need the help of teachers.
Other drop-offs are like that, too, but not as difficult for him.
It’s particularly difficult when the Shabbat party aligns with a 5-day absence, when he knows Karolina is picking him up and we won’t be together for a while.
I’ll miss these little parties.
