Ok. It's been awhile since Ace started preschool and things were going good. I was dealing with it and he was loving it, which equals good-not great, for me at least. :)

But last week we had a meltdown! All of a sudden I get a phone call from his teacher saying that he wanted to sit by himself during playtime because he had a tummy ache. Now, I know that pretty much the only time Ace gets a "tummy ache" is when he's nervous. So I told this to his teacher and told her to give him some time and if he's persistent about not feeling well to call and I'd come pick him up. As much as I wanted to go get him I knew if I did that I would be opening a can of worms I knew I couldn't deal with.

I didn't get a phone call so I didn't pick him up early. After school I asked him how he felt and he said he was tired and all day he kept wishing he was at home with me.

So I figured maybe he didn't sleep well the night before and just had a rough day. The next morning however, DH calls me freaking out because he was going to be late for work because Ace refused to get out of the car. So he put him on the phone and he was hysterical. So I calmed him down and told him that if he wanted, I'd pick him up after lunch. So he agreed and went in.
I called his teacher an hour later and she said he was doing great and I told her what I told him about picking him up early but that I'd only come if she called me.

No call.

Next day: same thing in the morning and DH had to leave him there screaming with his teacher. That night he kept telling us he hated school and didn't want to go anymore. I made it very clear that we were not entertaining that thought for a minute and that missing school was not an option.

So on Friday as I drove him to school I kept trying to get to the root of the problem, which ultimately I think was just a case of separation anxiety. I told him that along with the prayers that I say for him (this akathist) with our morning prayers, I would do komboskini for him all day. He also made me promise to call his Nono-Papa (his Godfather is the Geronda at our men's monastery) and tell him to say extra prayers for him too. He kept telling me that he wanted to have a good day but he didn't know how. I told him he had to just keep telling himself how much fun he was going to have and that I'd be there to pick him up before he knew it. He said he kept trying to close his eyes and not cry but the tears just kept slipping out. I wanted to cry!! I told him that I was certain that today (Friday) would be a better day.

When I dropped him off he said, "Mom, I think I am going to have a good day today. Just write yourself a note so you don't forget to pray for me." I told him that for Mama's and Baba's praying for their children is like breathing, you can't forget.

He kissed me and I walked him in. I got in the car. And cried the whole way home. Again.

Oh my goodness this stinks!!!!

It's been almost a week now and he's been doing fine again, but whew! I thought I was going to break. I feel like a kid again, I dread Monday coming!

Is this normal? Seriously, I am thinking it's an unhealthy attachment. I have to be able to let him go. What am I going to do when he leaves home? Oh, my tummy aches now...