Conversations With Evan

Sometimes I worry about his self-esteem, maybe because we're in the middle of his terrible two's, I have to discipline him so much, etc. I want to be sure he's getting enough positive reinforcement too, so I tell him when he's doing a good job, that I'm proud of him for being brave, that I love him, and I thank him when he listens or does something I ask (even if I've had to ask over and over and over and...).

So the other day, I told him, "Evan, you're a beautiful boy."

He replied, "I know."

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He's starting preschool (ok, actually daycare, only there's no room in the toddler program, so they bumped him up to the preschool program and he's in with the 3 to 5 year olds, which he prefers anyway, so we all win). It's three hours, two days a week. It's not supposed to be torture, but it somehow is. He is just not used to being away from family, so this has been very scary to him. He cries when I try to leave, and I have to stay for a while and help him get used to this change. I'm easing him into it. On Tuesday, he threw up when I tried to leave. So much for the easing.

Today, he went on an exciting walk to a fire engine and heard all about fire safety. (It's fire safety week. Never too young....) I don't know all that they did, but he had something very important to tell me.

"Mama," he said, "I cried for you. Did you cry for me?"