School Daze

On the way home from school.

Belen has completed her first week of school.

Aside from being VERY tired, all seemed well.

She spoke excitedly each day about the things she is learning.

The fire truck came.

So did Sparky the fire dog.

"Mommy, we ate cheetos for snack today!"

Aye yie yie.

"Mommy, we had cheetos for snack AGAIN!"

Seriously?

Not being a "morning" family.

We've adjusted quickly.

By Thursday night the kids were in bed by 7

Belen asleep the moment her head hit her pillow.

She slept until I woke her up at 6:30 to get ready for school the next morning.

She was chipper and happy.

Ready to start the day.

Fast forward. It's 2 o'clock.

I'm picking Belen up from school.

Her teacher mentions to me several occasions where Belen had hit or kicked another student.

That's not like her. 

Not at all.

In the car I ask about her day.

"Mommy, the kids aren't nice to me."

"...they call me names"

"....they make me sad"

"Mommy, can we just do school at home, instead?"

"I will talk to your teacher" I tell her.

"Can we give it just one more week?"

I hate what I'm saying, but I want to see how her teacher will handle the information I provide her.

This morning, I relay Belen's experience to her teacher.

"Welcome to the real world" her teacher replies.

"Do you really believe a four-year-old should have to experience 'the real world'?" I ask.

"That's just the way it is" she says.

I don't like what I'm hearing.

I don't like this school.

I don't like Belen's teacher.

Why haven't I withdrawn Belen from this school?

I want to hear how Monday has been.

I still hope, perhaps in error, that today will be better.