This morning, the two-year-old tried to convince me he could stay home by himself instead of going to school. I’m told by his educators he is suffering from separation anxiety, once again. Apparently this condition comes and goes in waves. I bought into that theory for a minute, until I realized he didn’t really want to be with me, he just wanted to be at home.
Try to imagine a toddler’s slurred speech between sobs as he cried, “Mom. I tying tell you sumting.” Translated he said, “Mom, I am trying to tell you something” while I underwent my morning routine of preparing for the day.
I stopped and gave him my full attention. His response, “I no bye-bye.”
Now I know for many parents red flags went up. Let me preface by saying, I have no concerns with my son’s preschool. While attending school his mind has flourished, social skills developed, and cognition is high. In fact he is so smart that in Pre-K he has learned how to fake sick to stay home. Ultimately, he really wanted to stay home to watch SpongeBob.
Thinking I would scare him, I told him if he stayed home he would be by himself. This tactic works famously on my six-year-old. Not on Nate, who responded with an affirmative “Okay”; with no problems or concerns.
So of course I saw this as a challenge, and I was going to call his bluff. As I walked outside, closing the door behind me, I heard him cry out, “MOMMY.” I ignored him and closed the door shut. I felt vindicated....for a moment, then…..nothing.
There I was standing outside for maybe 45 seconds, however it felt like at least 10 minutes. Still nothing; no noise, no whimper, no scamper…nothing.
So, I opened the door. There he was lying on the sofa, arm propped up under his head, watching SpongeBob. When he saw me he jumped up and yelled, “MOMMY!”
“Awww Nate, you don’t want to stay home alone?”
“No, gib me kiss bye-bye” – Translated “No. Give me a kiss good-bye.” Then with his big eyes and big grin he sings, “Bye mom, SEE YOU LATER!”
“No Nate! Get in the car!” Pre-school here he comes. Separation anxiety….my foot.
