I Don't Want New School

Papa and Mama thought I was settling down well in school. I started school on a Thursday. After the weekend came and left, I kind of changed. Perhaps it was the weekend break that kind of broke the momentum.

On Monday, I started chanting "I don't want new school". If Mama remembers correctly, it started on Monday evening. I will keep saying it again and again like a chant. Mama definitely remember I did it on Tuesday evening. That evening, Nai nai called to ask us over for dinner the next day. Mama made the mistake of passing the phone to Nai nai after making dinner arrangement, thinking a conversation with Nai nai will probably take my mind off the chant. She could not be more wrong.

I took the opportunity and spoke to Nai nai in a very grieved tone,"I don't want new school. I want to stay at home." and sounded as if I was about to broke down but still trying to hold back my tears.

This really broke Nai nai's heart and worried her. She asked to speak to Mama again and asked why I was saying such. Mama said I had napped less than an hour and was tired and hence whiney. Nai nai was worried the teachers in school had mis-treated me but Mama was confident the teachers are doing me good.

Nai nai hung up but called back about 20 minutes later to ask again why I did not want to go school. Mama had to tell Nai nai she had asked me to pack my bags to go stay with Nai nai and there is no need for new school anymore. Hearing that, I had burst out crying," I don't want Nai nai house. I want to go to new school. I want to go to new school..."

Nai nai asked why I was speaking like that and Mama explained I was tired and as a child, I would just change my stand easily. Looks like I am not the only one who needs reassurance.

So I had been like this for this week. Chanting "I don't want (new) school, I don't want (new) school" while allowing my parents to help me wear my uniform, while I co-operated and took a bus to school with Mama, while walking towards school.

When I arrived in school, I will cry as I know Mama is leaving. I don't just whine at her departure. I go red in the face and squeeze out some tears. This got Mama's attention and thoughts as I had not exhibited such behaviour the whole of this year even though I had been attending school.

Twice, Mama had hidden herself somewhere to peep at me after dropping me. She noticed that the teachers do give me more personal attention. Just yesterday, she saw me on a teacher's lap as our class sang nursery rhymes. Though I didn't look happy I had stopped crying soon after she left and was following some of the actions in Incey Wincy Spider...

Strangely, when Papa picked me up from school on Tuesday, I actually was not too enthusiastic to leave. I only doubled up when I was told Papa/Mama will leave without me.

Yesterday, I started to nap in school. Teacher Karen shared I offered to shower her when she was showering me after lunch and she had to tell me she did not need me to shower her. I also asked her to lie down next to me when she patted me for nap. I told her Mama also laid down to rest with me.

Mama thought it was very nice to see me sleeping on the mattress with my friends when she arrived earlier than arranged to pick me up. I was sound asleep and Teacher Karen had to wake me up so that I can leave with Mama.

Mama did not ask how long I had napped but one thing she was happy about : I had been so tired I slept from 9.30pm last night to about 7.15am this morning. If you know my records, I usually sleep at around 11pm. Mama is certainly glad childcare is doing good for my sleeping pattern.

Looks like I will be staying in school until 5.30pm next week....