The Z-unit is officially a preschool student by trade. The new class at The Acorn School has arrived and we have just completed the first, ominously named hurdle: assimilation. This is the education trade’s jargon for getting your kid to go with a bunch of strange (but fun) adults and other kids. What I found is that the assimilation is just as much, if not more for the parents.

As some of you may know Zubin is not much for separation, as he’s really been the product of a well staffed, caregiving team. Parents, grandparents, Ro-ro (the nanny, but so much more that she needs her own category), aunts, uncles and a whole slew of relations. Also, Zubin’s previous attempts at separation at the “just in case” daycare center at the office produced…shall we say mixed results.

Day 1: Kids are split into two smaller sections for the assimilation so there are only 6 kids with Zubin. The parents are freaked out for the most part even though we are allowed to stay in the room. The kids know exactly what to do and get on with the business of playing. The social awkwardness for the adults is palpable. Here’s the internal monologue:

• NYCDAD: Only one kid taller than him…Good, he can see over the crowd in case there’s a riot…These other parents seem ok…At least their kids are shorter than mine…Where’s Zubin? Oh, there he is, cool…
• NYCZubin: Holy crap! They have a sandbox INSIDE the room, I’m gonna get me some sand and throw it on the floor…Where’ s Dad? Oh, there he is, cool…

The Z-unit went right into the classroom, spent most of his time with the sand box. He looked for me a few times, but unlike some of the other kids, he never came over to me. Then we just went home.

Day 2: Back again with our six new friends. Alot of the same as the first day. The parents are getting to know each other better and discussion is coming more easily. A martini bar sure would have helped.

This time they introduce a sit down meal together. The teacher rings a bell which makes Zubin stop in his tracks. He looks at me, I shrug. He looks at the teacher who proceeds to lay out places at a small table for 6 sets of Nila wafers and dixie cups with apple juice. Zubin is the first one to sit down, first one to finish his cookies, and the only one to use the napkin to clean the chair he was sitting on. I take note and give him a thumbs up. He gives me an index finger up (still working out the fine motor skillets) and after some more playtime we head home.

Next post: Day 3. Separation begins…