Signs of the Times

For those of you who have hung in there with me over the last month or so with Brienna - I THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART!! For those of you who have no idea what I am talking about - September and the first half of October have been very difficult months for Brienna.

Four weeks ago we changed daycares. I took her from a home environment and put her in an educational facility that all of us absolutely love (except Brienna). Every morning we go through the same ritual - we get up, get dressed, go to school, pitch a fit and maybe kick a teacher or two, and all of us are shaking our heads saying, "What on earth!" When it's time to go home, she's in the worst mood - whiny, crying, and screaming. Needless to say she's gotten more pops and free passes to Iggyland than any child should get in one month's time. It's like she hit the "terrible two's" seven months early!

The daycare teachers say that she does very well after she's left and that it may be that she's doing it for our benefit - to see how far she can push our buttons. I will be the first to admit that I have taken more pity on that child when I leave her (thinking I am hurting her feelings and have doomed her to culture shock of being in a class room forever). I have cried over that child when I left and even thought about putting her back with the Dawson's. (I have to tell you I am VERY glad my mother is as involved as she is!) We haven't moved her and we aren't going to move her. Why?

Well, as of Friday (the 19th) she's back to being her old self - very cuddly, funny, giggly, playful, and my favorite - verbal. The only thing that hasn't changed is her morning fit pitching. This week I finally decided that when she pitched a fit at daycare, Mommy would simply let her fling herself to the floor and scream into the carpet. Mommy wouldn't pick her up, console her, or tell her it will be ok. These things I have been doing to no avail - she's still fit-pitching. So, the free passes to Iggyland are the next trick to try. I'm hoping all goes well in that department.

11/6 Update
I just had to share that things are going much better at daycare. This morning I dropped her off and we went through our normal crying spell, but the teachers have found the perfect calmer. They open the door and carry her just outside the door and they watch the birds on the playground. Seriously, once her back is turned from where Mommy is or where Mommy left her, she was fine! She loves to dance in class, is starting to eat well, and is enjoying her days at Appletree. Thanks again Mom for making me stick to what I knew was the best choice!