Today was Jahan's first day in Family Day Care. When we arrived at Devi's house at 8.30 am Jahan seemed completely overwhelmed by the new surroundings, his new carer and his new little playmates. And, as I expected, within 2 minutes of arriving there, he was howling. Devi (and her work-experience apprentice, Alison) attempted to feed Jahan some breakfast - he didn't cooperate, so I fed it to him instead. Devi then suggested that it may be easier for him to adjust if I left him there for a couple of hours. So, reluctantly, I said my farewells and walked to the car, Jahan's howls echoing in my ears.
I returned at 11 am to find Jahan soundly asleep in a portacot. He had, apparently, stopped crying within minutes of my leaving, had played quietly and gone to sleep around 9.45. As I waited there for Jahan to awake, I watched Devi play with the other two kids (aged 4 and 2), watched them have morning tea and then begin their "studying" (which involved colouring, stickers and word games).
When we heard Jahan stirring at around 11.20 am, I (literally) ran and hid in the corner of the room, and watched as Alison nursed him and Devi prepared a bottle of milk. But Jahan didn't want the milk... he was too busy girgling cheerfully, flailing about happily, and playing with Alison and Devi!! He wanted to look at books like the other children, he wanted to sit at the little table (so he was allowed to stand at it) and I watched in disbelief as he happily pounded on it all the time with a big grin on his face!
However, as Jahan was probably ready to die of starvation by lunch time, I decided to take him home for the day. As we said "bye" to Devi, Alison and the kids and headed home, I felt as though a huge burden of anxiety had been lifted off my shoulders. I realised that on Friday, he would arrive at Devi's and actually recognize everyone. And next time, God-willing, I could be walking away from him with echoes of laughter ringing in my ears.
Posted by Dayan at May 11, 2004 01:59 PM