We live in Washington, USA. My 4-year-ol
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We live in Washington, USA.
My 4-year-old daughter, Lily, is starting preschool for the very first time tomorrow morning. Tonight at bedtime, she completely broke down in tears, clinging to my shirt and crying: "I don't want you to leave! What if you forget to come back? I want to stay home forever!"
I don't want to dismiss her fears or give empty platitudes like "you'll love it, it's nothing to be scared of." She loves animal stories (especially little bunnies or hedgehogs).
Could you tell a gentle, soothing bedtime story for tonight to help her acknowledge the butterflies in her belly, understand that mommy always comes back after snack and playground time, and drift off to sleep feeling safe?
Answer
Little Bunny Holly sat on her rug by the window. The moon was up. Tomorrow was a brand-new day.
Tomorrow, Holly was going to preschool. There would be new friends, and a big bright room, and a teacher she had never met. Holly's tummy felt strange — not sick, just full of little butterflies, flipping and flopping.
"Are we going right now?" Holly asked. Her paw squeezed Mama's paw tight. "I don't want you to leave. What if you forget to come back?"
Mama sat close and wrapped a soft arm around her. "Tonight, little one, we are home. Tonight we sleep right here in your own bed."
Holly nodded. "But tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow," said Mama, "after snack time, Mama will be right there at the door. After playground time too. Mama always comes back."
Holly took a long, slow breath in. Then she let it out, slow, slow.
The next morning, the sun came up soft and yellow. Holly carried her small green backpack. At the big bright door of preschool, she squeezed Mama's paw three times — their secret goodbye.
The teacher, Miss Lila, had kind eyes. "Come see the block corner, Holly."
Holly looked back at the door once. She looked back again.
Miss Lila smiled. "It's okay to look. Mama said she will come back after snack time."
At snack time, there were little strawberry biscuits. Holly ate two. After snack, the door opened — and there was Mama, right there on time. Holly ran into her arms.
Then came playground time. Holly slid down the small slide and dug in the sandbox. After playground, the door opened again. Mama was there again.
The afternoon bell rang, soft and sweet. Holly ran to Mama and tucked a little drawing right into her arms. The drawing had two bunnies — one big, one small — and a door.
The drive home felt short. The butterflies were gone. Just a soft, sleepy hum.
Mama helped Holly out of her shoes. Holly climbed into her own bed. The blanket smelled like home.
Mama's paw rested on Holly's paw, just the way it always did.
Holly took one more slow breath. In, and out.
"Goodnight, little bunny."
"Goodnight, Mama."
The lamp grew soft. Holly's eyes grew soft.
Goodnight, Holly. Bed is here. Home is here. Mama is here.