Tag Archives: Tanya H. Franklin

Trying on a New Pair of Shoes: The Preschool Change is Going to Take Time for Both My Little Girl & Me

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Just a little under a week ago, my daughter attended school for the first time. Tuesday was great. On Wednesday, she was still excited! Then on Thursday, the inevitable happened. When I picked up my three year old, the teacher said, “Quinn was a little sad today and cried a few times asking for you and her daddy.” As I looked at my little girl’s facial expression and imagined her crying, my chest tightened, and my throat became dry. “Oh, she did!” I then turned to console my daughter while trying to be positive and asking, “How was your day, sweetie?” With a unchanged face and monotone voice, she said, “Good.”

While on the car ride home, she asked why I left her at school for so long and didn’t come for her. She was upset that I wasn’t there to watch her play and do different activities. When we got home, I emptied her lunch bag and saw that for the third time in a row she barely touched her lunch. To focus on the positive and to get her mind off of the major change, we played a little in the playroom and got dinner ready, she seemed to be fine, but right before bed she asked, “Do I have to go to school tomorrow too?” To which I asked, “Don’t you like school? School is fun!” “Yes, but you aren’t there, Mommy!” I tried to convince her that school was just for her to not only learn but to meet new friends and do different lessons and activities with the teacher.

The next morning she claimed, “My leg is bothering me, Mommy, so I can’t go to school today.” “I think you’ll be just fine,” I reassured her. When I dropped her off, I was a bit nervous wondering if she would cry or be extremely upset. It would break my heart seeing her cry, and I would have a limited amount of time to comfort her because I had to get to work to teach one of my classes. Surprisingly, she smiled when she saw the teacher and eagerly went off with her after giving me a big hug and kiss. I smiled and said, “Have a great day, honey!” She responded, “You have a great day too, Mommy!”

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I picked her up but prayed that she had a fun day and enjoyed herself. I arrived a little earlier so that I could see her doing an activity since she said she was upset that I did not see her doing one, and she was happy to see me but then quickly exclaimed, “Mommy, I’m not ready to go yet!” What a wonderful phrase to hear and a sharp contrast from that Thursday. I know it’s going to be tough at times walking in these new shoes of change with many ups and downs as we both continue to become accustomed to Quinn attending school, but it certainly makes the time we spend together that much more special.

All the best,

Tanya

Terrific Tuesday: The First Day of Preschool

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After tossing and turning, constantly waking up full of anticipation throughout the night for both my daughter and me, the first day of preschool and attending school altogether finally arrived this morning for my little girl, Quinn. Knowing that I wouldn’t be there to take her to school for her first day increased my anxiety, but she was so excited that she actually woke up extra early, and I was able to give her a big hug and kiss and tell her to have a great first day at school before I left for work.

Her dad later told me that she was very eager to go to school and gave him a big hug and kiss when he was about to leave her at the school. “See you later, Daddy” she said with a smile on her face. In the meantime, I was at work wondering how Quinn was doing, and something that rarely happens occurred when I was in my classroom teaching. My phone, though on vibrate, began ringing. My initial thought was that it was a call from the school with a concern about Quinn. It took everything in me to not immediately excuse myself and check my phone to see who was calling. It turned out that it was a telemarketer calling, and I had to reassure myself that Quinn was just fine.

Then, right after class I raced home so that I could  be nearby, if needed. My husband works from home on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but wasn’t there, and I wondered, “Did he go to the school? Is Quinn okay?” (I later found out that he was out purchasing a cake as a special treat for Quinn’s first day at school) Without alluding that I was concerned, I contacted the school while my three year old was preoccupied with eating lunch just to see how she was doing. Her teacher, with a smile in her voice, said, “Quinn is doing great! She enjoyed circle time, playing at the playground, doing an apple coloring project and having snack.” She also informed me that Quinn was happy and showed no signs of being sad or worried.

When I picked Quinn up at 3:00 pm, she was sitting patiently with other children, smiled and said, “Hi Mommy! I had a good day at school!” While tomorrow, her second day of school will more than likely be the real test, I’m so happy that Quinn made a great initial transition from being at home with her daddy and me to going to school and interacting with other children and the teachers.

Here’s to a wonderful semester and terrific school experiences for my sweet, smart girl Quinn!

All the best,

Tanya

Mommy’s Monday Moments: The Night Before Preschool with My Little Girl

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2016-09-05 17.52.35‘Twas the night before preschool, the day drew to an end. Quinnie was cuddling Grover, her favorite plush friend: an adaptation of the poem/story The Night Before Preschool  by Natasha Wing. Alas, we are here, and I’ve been going over my checklist, prepping my three year old for what is to be expected of her at school and going over the routine and how to do Quinn’s hair with my husband since I have early morning classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays and will be unable to drop off my daughter.

Today, we played together and did a little shopping to get some Labor Day deals on clothing and footwear. After nap, we went to the park and then baked cookies after dinner as a nice treat and a good way to relax us both at the end of the day in preparation for tomorrow.

Quinn loves books, so we have the book The Night Before Preschool to alleviate any anxiety she may be feeling so that she may have a good night’s sleep and look forward to going to school for the first time and meeting new friends tomorrow. I’m just hoping that I’ll be able to sleep through the night before my only child going off to preschool and have a great morning  and not get overly anxious thinking about how my little girl is doing on her first day.

All the best,

Tanya

Off to School: One Down & One to Go!

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Having Fun in My Office Before Class

Last Monday was my first day back, and it was tough leaving my daughter on the days when we would usually be together, but thankfully, we had a transition. My three year old was able to spend time with her nana when I was teaching class and even joined me on Friday as I conducted my children’s literature class since she does not start school until this upcoming Tuesday.

I spent most of today making sure all of her belongings she will take to school have labels with her name on them, selecting and ironing her clothes for the week and packing up snacks for the both of us so that the mornings can go as smooth as possible.

In doing these tasks, the reality is definitely setting in: Quinn is a big girl now and on her way to preschool. I’m so glad that I did practically everything today so that we can just enjoy time together tomorrow on Labor Day. I’m just hoping I can keep it together when she officially starts school on Tuesday, especially since I won’t be able to be there to drop her off since I have early morning classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

All the best,

Tanya

School’s Back in Session: Preparing for a Major Change with My Little Girl

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2016-08-16 17.38.46While summer may not officially be over, the start of my fall semester begins tomorrow. I’ve been teaching at the same college for nearly ten years and am typically nervous on the first day, but this time, my anxiety is heightened at the thought of knowing that having my daughter at home full-time is swiftly drawing to a close. My husband and I have been blessed to work out a schedule where I’ve worked from home on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and he on Tuesdays and Thursdays to be there for our daughter. This year, I’ll be experiencing two major changes because I’ll be on campus Monday through Friday, and my daughter will begin preschool for the first time the day after Labor Day.

Usually, the night before the semester starts, I’m concerned about having a good first day, have a nightmare or two about something crazy happening in the classroom and hoping that everything go smoothly, but this time, I’m joining the ranks of many parents who are concerned about the morning juggle of getting their child or children ready as the ready themselves to go off to work or school. Though I’m sure everything will go well tomorrow morning, I can’t help but think about how I’ll miss the routines my three year old and I have when we’re home together. We’ve both gotten to know each other so much and enjoy each other’s company, and part of me will miss that time together.

I am, however, so grateful for all of the time we’ve spent together, especially this summer during my break> I just have to remind myself that through these changes will be new and wonderful experiences that will bring my daughter and I even closer together this semester.

All the best,

Tanya

Fun at Hershey Park: Sweetening the End of the Summer with My Little Girl

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“I want to take a picture with the chocolate bar, Mommy and then get on rides!” my three year old excitedly said. It was her first time at Hershey Park just yesterday and today. Actually, it felt like my first time because I haven’t been there in over five years and then about fifteen years before then. My husband, daughter and I all had a great time, and me, being the type “A” personality that I am, fell in love the Hershey’s Park’s app which allowed me to create a to-do-list and even filter the rides based on the ones my little “Hershey’s Kiss” was able go get on based on her height.

We spend most of Saturday getting on all of the rides, almost all 46 of them: some two and three times. Though it rained (even torrential downpours at times) off and on today, (Sunday), Quinn enjoyed playing in the rain and jumping in puddles. We were able to play a few games and get on a couple of rides when the rain cleared up for an hour or so at a time. We didn’t let the rain dampen our spirits because we enjoyed ourselves by spending a couple of hours in the Hershey’s Chocolate World too. What an awesome experience for all ages!

This truly has been a summer of fun with my little one right before she starts pre-school for the first time. I’m so glad  we were able to close out the summer by having some family fun at the sweetest place on earth, Hershey Park!

All the best,

Tanya

Picture It: Through the Eyes of a Three Year Old

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“I’m taking your picture, Mommy!” my three year old informs me. She loves taking pictures or videos with my iPod, especially of her father and me. A few months ago at the end of the spring semester, I did a post on how one of her photos revealed how consumed I was with marking papers and tying up loose ends with limited time for playing and how I was looking forward to having more free time with her.

This time, she caught me preparing a salad for my lunch shortly after we ate breakfast. While it may seem random, it displays how children are always watching even when we may not notice it or think they are. Right now, Quinn is going through a phase where she doesn’t want to any veggies. My hope is that the more she sees me making healthy choices the more she will be willing to follow my example in the future. Nothing is “picture perfect,” but I picture myself doing the best I can do to set a good example for my little girl.

All the best,

Tanya

Countdown to Preschool: Just a Month Away

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For a little over three years, my husband and I have both been blessed to have flexible work schedules so that we can work alternate schedules during the weekdays to care for our daughter. While we’ve both enjoyed being home with her and being able to watch her grow and reach many milestones firsthand, the time has come for Quinn to start preschool so that she may not only have the experience of a school setting but so that she can develop friendships with other children her age. Quinn will often ask, “When will I start school?” or say, “I can’t wait to go to school and have friends,” so I am confident that she will be ready next month around this time. I’m just hoping that I’m ready. For now, we’re enjoying this last month we have together with some fun-filled outings and mommy and daughter time together.

All the best,

Tanya

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Quinn’s Stylish, Pouty Smile, As She Calls It

 

Mommy’s Baby Steps: 200 Posts & Counting…

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2016-07-27 12.14.48I’ve always enjoyed writing as a way to not only express myself but to travel on my journey of life. Though I still have much further to go on the journey of motherhood, I’m so excited that this is my 200th blog post on Mommy’s Baby Steps.

As the old sayings go, “Time flies…” and “They grow so quickly within a blink of an eye.” My three year old daughter has taught me so much about myself in such a short period of time. Revisiting some of the early blog posts leaves me in awe with how much we both have grown and developed. I’m truly looking forward to continuing our lifelong journey together and sharing our experiences together as we both continue to learn and grown from one another.

Here’s to the next 200 posts and beyond!

All the best,

Tanya

What Would We Do Without It Wednesdays: The Roller Coaster of Life

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First of Many Roller Coaster Rides

“Wheee…yaaaay! This is the best ride ever, Mommy!” My adventurous three year old screamed out as we quickly whipped around the corner on the Vapor Trail Rollercoaster lead by Super Grover at Sesame Place. It was just a couple of weeks ago that my little girl got on the roller coaster (or any roller coaster for that matter) for the very first time after my nine year old niece asked to get on. Quinn just made the age requirement, yet an adult had to accompany her.  I was a bit nervous about her reaction and just making sure she did’t slide out of the seat, but she did very well and begged to get on a second time along with my niece. Since there was really no line, I obliged because I could handle a kiddie roller coaster, right? Wrong!

I was quickly reminded why I don’t get on roller coaster rides like I did when I was younger. Ever since I had Quinn, my stomach sometimes gets so topsy-turvy from too much motion. It can be anything from going up and down on a swing too high or for too long to spinning around too quickly on the tea cups (yes, the tea cups). As I was trying to get rid of that “woozy” feeling, Quinn was excited asking to get on a third time, and I had to tell her maybe next time and just endure the pouting and tears welling up in her eyes.

While I could have focused on the negative and allowed the roller coaster to take me down the first time and avoid it on future visits, I decided to focus on the positive.  As Quinn is having fun, she’s learning what she can handle. I too am relearning what I can handle or not handle as well as I once did on the roller coaster of life.

So when I showed my husband the picture of Quinn and me on the roller coaster from today, in a surprised tone he asked, “You got on a roller coaster again?” To which I responded, “Yes! From the last experience, I learned that I have to follow certain roller coaster guidelines for myself: no food at least an hour before riding and no back-to-back rides under any circumstances. As long as I do that, I’m good to go!”

What would we do with out roller coasters allowing us to experience ups and downs and the twists and turns of life.

All the best,

Tanya