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School Saved My Sanity

Rants

11 Jan

I’m writing this post from a peacefully quiet house.

I’m drinking hot tea, that I didn’t have to re-heat in the microwave.

I had a full conversation with my husband while he ate his breakfast, without being interrupted to blow someone’s nose or play choo choos.

I’m zen.

—

IMG_9763

Dorothy’s first day of school, 2015. Age 1. Backpack on, cell phone ready.

Two mornings a week, I take my two-year-old to school. Well, not really “school,” but it might as well be.

Dorothy knows all of her colors.

She can count.

She knows shapes.

She recognizes letters, and can almost sing the whole ABC song.

She folds her little hands and prays before eating sometimes…

…and I didn’t teach her any of these things.

I used to count to five with her, just to see if she would catch on. Then one day she kept going with six through 10, without me, like it was no big deal.

A year ago, the thought of sending Dorothy to any type of school, Parent’s Day Out or daycare was enough to send me into a panic attack. I was going to keep her at home until I was forced to send her to kindergarten. Not that I really wanted to do that, nor have I ever had any desire to home school, but I was convinced that I was the only person that could properly care for my daughter. Who at “school” was going to change her diapers? Who would know that “ooo ooo’s” mean Curious George fruit snacks? Who would make sure she wasn’t being picked on (or, more likely, picking on other kids)?

In fact, the only reason she is enrolled in Parent’s Day Out, was because she was having a particularly horrible day of toddler terror last summer.

Tantrums. Meltdowns. Full-on toddler attitude. And I was done. D-O-N-E. Done. I actually opened my laptop with her kicking and screaming at my feet, and immediately filled out the enrollment form without a second thought.

Five months later, I can say that was the best decision of my life.

School has been worth every single penny. In fact, it’s worth double what I pay. Not only is she learning things in preparation for kindergarten, but she comes home with art projects and crafts every single day. She practically leaps out of her car seat when her favorite teacher comes to get her (she cannot talk about Miss. Shannon enough, and that alone is such a blessing). They play outside, and she has friends. Dorothy has a social schedule now, and the structure has done wonders for her behavior.

She’s such a little person now.

But, what school has done for our family is greater than just Dorothy’s growth. I now have six full hours a week to do whatever I need to do. Sometimes I go grocery shopping alone on Monday mornings. Other times I come straight back home from drop off and go back to bed. I take long showers and actually put make-up on to feel like a human again. I catch up on blog posts, write choreography for my color guards, and organize closets… all while knowing Dorothy is having the time of her life.

I do WHATEVER I WANT, and it makes me sane again.

I didn’t get to this place in motherhood easily. It has been a two year process for me to feel comfortable and confident in my abilities. I sometimes get a little teary when I drop Dorothy off at school, and see her run inside with a giant smile on her face, because I’m just so damn proud of her.

When I get the, “Dorothy had a wonderful day!” report at pick-up, I feel validated. Like, I’m doing okay as a mother, and the people who spend time with my daughter are enjoying the beautiful little human we’ve created.

And, usually, I want to respond with, “Mommy had a wonderful day, too! I straightened my hair, and went to Big Lots, AND got the oil changed in my car – and it was fantastic!”

Thanks, school. You rock.

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  1. Adrian says

    January 11, 2016 at 1:15 pm

    I’m so glad Dorthy is doing so well in school and you’re enjoying your free time. It’s nice to read this especially since I am a teacher dealing with toddlers daily. I’m happy to invest in other kids lives, and make the parents job a little easier. 🙂

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Hey there, I'm Samantha. Recovering SAHM, and aspiring competitive dance mom. I have a passion for travel, am known to say it like it is, and I most certainly do not have it all together. Currently on a journey toward self love and discovery. Join me. 2021 | Bloom

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… we have so many dances, they don’t all fit i … we have so many dances, they don’t all fit into one Insta post. 😝

Frances | 2022
Mini Company, Tap, Jazz, Ballet & Acro
Am I even a real dance mom if I don’t post all o Am I even a real dance mom if I don’t post all of our recital photos? 

Dorothy | 2022
Lyrical, Production, Trio, Small Group, Tap, Jazz, Ballet & Acro
💜❤️🧡💛 💜❤️🧡💛
“Mom, will I look different when I’m 6?” Oh “Mom, will I look different when I’m 6?”

Oh, sweet Frances Belle. 🥹 Happiest of birthdays to our baby girl. 💜
Have a magical day! ✨ #waltdisneyworld #magicki Have a magical day! ✨

#waltdisneyworld #magickingdom #springbreak #butdidyoudie
Post-competition hangover is REAL at the Cotten ho Post-competition hangover is REAL at the Cotten house today! 🤪 I’m still teary-eyed over how grown up our babies looked on stage. 🥺 So, so proud of them and their @talent_factory_ Company teammates! #dancemom @iddancecomp

The Sanderson Sisters | Dorothy
🏆 Iconic Platinum, 1st Overall Junior Novice Duo/Trio 
***Special Award: Costume Award

Sweet Scoops | Frances
🏆 Iconic Platinum, 3rd Overall Mini Novice Small Group 

Cabana Cuties | Dorothy
🏆 Iconic Platinum, 2nd Overall Junior Novice Small Group, 
***Special Award: Artistic Execution 

The Addams Family | Dorothy
🏆 Ultra Iconic (highest achievement), 2nd Overall Intermediate Teen Production
ID ICON BUZZER 🚨
***Special Awards: Costume Award, Technique Award, Trendsetter Award
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… we have so many dances, they don’t all fit i … we have so many dances, they don’t all fit into one Insta post. 😝

Frances | 2022
Mini Company, Tap, Jazz, Ballet & Acro
Am I even a real dance mom if I don’t post all o Am I even a real dance mom if I don’t post all of our recital photos? 

Dorothy | 2022
Lyrical, Production, Trio, Small Group, Tap, Jazz, Ballet & Acro
💜❤️🧡💛 💜❤️🧡💛
“Mom, will I look different when I’m 6?” Oh “Mom, will I look different when I’m 6?”

Oh, sweet Frances Belle. 🥹 Happiest of birthdays to our baby girl. 💜
Have a magical day! ✨ #waltdisneyworld #magicki Have a magical day! ✨

#waltdisneyworld #magickingdom #springbreak #butdidyoudie
Post-competition hangover is REAL at the Cotten ho Post-competition hangover is REAL at the Cotten house today! 🤪 I’m still teary-eyed over how grown up our babies looked on stage. 🥺 So, so proud of them and their @talent_factory_ Company teammates! #dancemom @iddancecomp

The Sanderson Sisters | Dorothy
🏆 Iconic Platinum, 1st Overall Junior Novice Duo/Trio 
***Special Award: Costume Award

Sweet Scoops | Frances
🏆 Iconic Platinum, 3rd Overall Mini Novice Small Group 

Cabana Cuties | Dorothy
🏆 Iconic Platinum, 2nd Overall Junior Novice Small Group, 
***Special Award: Artistic Execution 

The Addams Family | Dorothy
🏆 Ultra Iconic (highest achievement), 2nd Overall Intermediate Teen Production
ID ICON BUZZER 🚨
***Special Awards: Costume Award, Technique Award, Trendsetter Award
I bought a 2,000 piece puzzle thinking it would be I bought a 2,000 piece puzzle thinking it would be “fun.” 8 days later - with HOURS of help from @kadstewa, @saworkman2012, and @andrewni88 - I retire from puzzles forever. 😂😳😜
The Doc is in! 💜 We took a surprise trip to @ch The Doc is in! 💜 We took a surprise trip to @childrensmuseum last night to preview the new Doc McStuffins exhibit. Frances loved caring for the stuffed animals, and Dot is on her way to becoming a surgeon specializing  in toy dragons. Do you have doctors-in-training at your house? 🩺 The exhibit opens to the public TOMORROW, so don’t miss it! #attcm #childrensmuseum #docmcstuffins
We ate brunch in a traincar diner 🚂, explored S We ate brunch in a traincar diner 🚂, explored Salem 🧙‍♀️, froze our faces while wandering colonial forts and lighthouses on the Atlantic 🌊, and ended our New England weekend seeing this gorgeous girl finally marry her love in a 1901 stone mansion 👰🏻‍♀️. Who knew hiring Nikole as my assistant director in 2017 would lead to a friendship like this? 💛
These. Three. 💃🕺💃 @talent_factory_ #tfadh These. Three. 💃🕺💃 @talent_factory_ #tfadholidayshowcase21

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