I’ll never stop asking, even if I never get an answer
I teach preschool at the daycare and preschool that my daughter attends two days a week. When she started coming to school with me her transition from being home with Mom-mom to school with teachers was rough at first. However, after a while she began to love it! Daycare became part of her routine and she looked forward to going to school.
I know this because I have plenty of moments to sneak a peek, since we are in the same building. She has really became “part of the group” in her little classroom. I am so proud of her.
Our ride home is pretty routine (as long as we leave happy and in a good mood) It is one of my favorite parts of the day. After buckling Summer into her seat and pulling off I always begin;
Me: Summer, did you have a good day at school?
Summer: (Full faced big smile)…
Me: Yes, I know. You had a good day. You’re a good girl! Did you have fun playing with all of your friends?
Summer: (Still smiling along to her own chorus of giggles and shrieks of pure joy) oy yoy yoy..
Me: I know, you love your friends. You are a nice girl and they like to play with you too. Are you excited to go home to see Daddy, Cameron, Mom-mom, and Grampie?
Summer: (smiling and laughing) Eeeeeeee goy goy hehehe
Me: Yes Summie, they will all be excited to see you too. I’m so happy that you had a good day. You’re Mommy’s good, big girl.
I feel that asking your child how their day was is such an important thing to do as parent. One of the most important things to do in my opinion. You are asking about them and their well-being during a time in which you were not the one that was solely caring for them and you were not the only one interacting with them. I couldn’t imagine not asking, let alone not knowing about how my children’s day had been. Even if Summer does not have the language to tell me, I can read her emotions, facial expressions and mood. I make a solid effort to communicate with her Mom-mom, teachers and therapists about how she has been when I have not been the one with her.
I know every family has their problems, their own struggles; possibly similar but always different. Maybe, you are tired, you may have had a bad day at work, or possibly you are stressing about bills, worrying about appointments, dinner, laundry, who knows!? But my point is…Stop!
Focus on four words that could make all the difference in your child’s day; “How was your day?” Regardless of your child’s abilities, or lack of abilities, it matters to them. It makes them know that they matter to you.
That is why I will never stop asking “How was your day?” Even if I never get an answer.
~Kelly Kristine
Summer all year round12 