adjust[uh–juhst]

verb (used with object)

1. to change (something) so that it fits, corresponds, or conforms; adapt; accommodate:

to adjust expenses to income.

2. to put in good working order; regulate; bring to a proper state or position:

to adjust an instrument.

3. to settle or bring to a satisfactory state, so that parties are agreed in the result

to adjust our differences.

The definition of adjust is to change (something) so that it fits, corresponds, or conforms; adapts; accommodates. Well, sometimes in life, that takes time.

Let’s take the Little Mouse and school. Her first day of school was on the Friday of that first week and she was so excited to go. I made her pose for all the obligatory first day pictures, as I did with her sister and packed their lunches and we were off. We dropped the Little Bird off first, in the school yard. The Little Bird put her backpack in line for her class, and the Little Mouse put hers right behind it, thinking that’s what she was supposed to do. After telling her that her classroom was in the front of the school, she looked a little sad to say goodbye to her sister.

We slowly walked to the front; she let me take pictures of her at the kindergarten gate and then went inside. She saw a couple of friends from daycare, which was a nice surprise and instantly I knew that would be a good thing to help with her transition.

Then it happened.

She started to cry. She came up to the fence and asked to come home with me; told me she didn’t want to stay.

So she made me cry. (This was bound to happen anyway, however I had been okay up until that exact point).

I tried to show her that her friends were there, as by new she knew three kids in the class, and encouraged her to go and play. That she waited a long time to see everyone and now it was time for big school. It wasn’t working.

Luckily one of her little friends came over and gave her a hug, and told her it was time to get into the line; which she reluctantly did after going to the gate door to give me one more hug and kiss. She got her bag and followed her friend to the back of the line, wiping her tears as she waved goodbye and went inside to start the adventure known as kindergarten.

Well, I was a mess afterwards! A few parents poked fun at me for crying, but I don’t care. I wear those tears proudly.

She came home that night in a much better mood. She ate all her lunch and loved that her friends were in her class. Maybe we’ll all adjust okay to big school after all.

Of course, that was a Friday, which then meant that she had two days home on the weekend, so when Monday rolled around, I got the usual question she asks me every morning; “where am I going today?” And when I told her to school, the tears started.

You see, she was used to either going to daycare, or staying home with my mom. And now that Nonna wasn’t coming to our house anymore, I think she’s having a hard time adjusting to that. But we forged on. Got dressed, ate breakfast, packed our lunch and went to school.

I have no choice but for my kids to go to the before and after care program at the school. I feel bad, not because it’s a horrible place; on the contrary. They love going to that program, as they get to eat breakfast (or have snacks in the afternoon), use the computer, play and read and do activities. I feel bad because I have to wake them up at 6:20 or 6:30, if I can feel like pushing my luck some mornings. It’s early.

And they are not morning people!

(I wonder where they get that from!?)

That first Monday, the Little Mouse came home with a note that due to a number of last-minute registrations at the school, they were moving her to the other class.

What!? It’s been two days?

I wasn’t too happy about that, and went to the school first thing in the morning to discuss it with the principal. Well, she saw me coming, as she armed herself with the only thing she knew would diffuse my thoughts and emotions, and that was they also moved two of the three friends she had from daycare.

Okay. I was satisfied with that. She didn’t have any other attachments aside from that, so we were now in the other class.

The Little Mouse didn’t seem to mind. She liked the teacher (as do I) and since it was really only two days, she didn’t know any different. So I waited to see how she was going to do.

Here we are, a month and a half into the school year, and she seems to have adjusted well. Once they are fed in the morning, they have the routine down, they bring their bags to the front door, put on their shoes and coats and we go to school. I get big hugs in the morning, kisses all around and the Little Mouse always tells me to have a great day!

Who doesn’t want to start their days like that? Even if it is dark and dreary in the morning, that is guaranteed to put a smile on my face.

She eats her lunch and tells us about the times she gets to do Show and Share, or be the Cubby Cleaner or the Line Leader. She brings her artwork home and is so excited to share it with us, and gets even more excited when she sees her sister at an assembly or when in school!

So the definition of adjust is to change (something) so that it fits, corresponds, or conforms; adapts; accommodates.

I think the Little Mouse fit in just fine. I think it was mommy who had to adapt and accommodate a little to get this year off to the right start!