Mama's Boy

     Ever since I can remember, Matthew has been a Mama's Boy.  From the time he was 4 months old, he preferred me to hold him over Layne.  When he was 6 months old we had a houseful of people for Thanksgiving, but everytime I tried to put Matthew down to help with anything, he would scream so much that everyone insisted I hold him and they did all of the work.  When Matthew learned how to walk I assumed he would take after his sister and go and play for an hour at a time and never give me the time of day.   Matthew was one of those toddlers who would go play and then come find me every five or ten minutes.  He was my little shadow for years, following me everywhere, wanting to be near me.   If we are sitting on the couch reading, he will reach over and put his hand on my leg or find someway to have physical contact.  He will still hold my hand.   I love this about Matthew.  As a toddler it was nice because I always knew where he was (by my side) and what he was up to...Matthew really never climbed anything he shouldn't have or got into anything he shouldn't have....he left that to Hyrum.  As he's gotten older it's been nice because I get to hear what he's thinking and know what things he's interested in.

     However, now that he is in first grade, this spending so much time with Mom and always wanting to be near me is NOT going so great.  We have made it through the first three weeks of school.  Yes, "made it through".    Matt kept telling me that he didn't want to go just because school was too long.   Last week got so bad that I finally emailed his teacher in hopes of figuring out if he's struggling with the work, his friends or what?  She promptly emailed me back and this is what she wrote: 

 "Hi Melanie,

Thanks for the email. Matthew is doing great in class. He gets along with everyone! His work is completed on time and he’s very well behaved. He seems to enjoy school and is always full of smiles. He is quick to raise his hand when I ask questions. He is right, it’s a long day. Our afternoons are really long since our recess is in the morning. We have lunch from 11:05-11:40 and then work all afternoon until school gets out. There are other kids in the class still adjusting to being at school all day. Hopefully it’ll get better next week as we continue with our routine."

     I didn't finally figure out the real reason for him not wanting to go to school until this morning.  Through tears he told me that he missed me all day and it was too long for him to be away from home.  Ah...melt my heart.  Funny what tricks you pull out of your sleeve when you are desperate to help your children.  I pulled out the "kissing hand" from a cute children's book about a racoon that doesn't want to go to school.  I kissed both of his palms and told him to put his hand to his cheek if he started missing me and he would feel the kiss from his palm and know that I loved him.    Matthew sincerely appreciated my kissing hand which is really saying something because Matthew is ususally WAY too cool for baby stuff like that.  I also tried to remind him how LAME Hyrum and I have it here at home all day.....boring old grocery shopping, horrible cleaning and absolutely NO FUN!

     He had a good day today, I think it will take a few more weeks before he really feels like it's not too long of a day....I personally think they need a recess in the afternoon....hello, they are tiny, but he will get it.  I guess I'm sort of kicking myself for not realizing sooner that he missed his mom and didn't want to be gone that long.  It all makes sense now.  This being a mom thing is no small job!