Finally!!! It is Mark’s turn to enjoy having mama all to himself for most of the day! What does he like to do the most? Still going outside, going grocery shopping to see Yuya and Narita (our “personal” baggers at the commissary), buying delicious apples from our “Apple Lady” and eating three apples a day…at least, watching TV and playing dinosaurs. Oh yes, and read books. Mark is 21 month now!
No matter how much I love our baby Mark, I figured it is time for him to get a little more social time without me. I started at 18 months with both Katya and Alex to go to wonderful ECFE programs when we lived in Minnesota—once a week, for just 1.5 hour. Here, my only choice at this age is Daichi, a Japanese preschool/daycare.
This is where the youngest group meets. A pretty small building with lots of cubbies and toys.
It is quite a process to sign up for the school because you need to go with a translator (my friend Masami helped out). We were given instructions on how things are done each day and a list of things to buy: special white shoes and smock, and a bento box/bowls/cup/towels/bag, etc. if we wanted our child to stay through lunch and naptime. The best part was that I had to label everything he brings to school by writing his name in Katakana. That was fun:) I think I wrote his name most of the time.
We sign up in advance for each day we want, and we pay when we come. It is so interesting to observe how Japanese run things—everything is planned out, everything is done in a routine way. I like it.
On the first day of school, Mark was happy until I had to put this “uniform” smock on him. And then he started bawling. He was so sad for me to leave! That really surprised me since he never has problems with separation when babysitters come or at our church nursery. I walked towards my car with a heavy heart, thinking, “It doesn’t get easier to listen to your child cry, even if it is your third.” And then… “Maybe….I don’t really need to have him in preschool after all..more time to spend with me…” But that last thought evaporated really quickly once I started thinking of all the GRAND plans I had for my 2.5 hours in the MIDDLE of the day!
When I picked up Mark, teachers told me he stopped very shortly after I left. Yay! So now, baby Mark hears three languages on a regular basis:)
Typical Japanese style playground.
As I am writing this, a month later after Mark started his preschool, I can say with surety that he LOVES it:) His senseis (teachers) are so kind to him—I wish all American care providers were as soft spoken and patient as these are.
Robert says I need to shorten my posts. I agree. Maybe next time.
Seriously your kids are so cute!! Mark is no exception.
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