Whew.

[rivka]

Alex is with our new childcare provider right now.

Dorian came over this morning and was very patient with having nervous parents give her too much information. The four of us hung out together for a while talking. Then Michael went upstairs. I stayed a little while longer, gradually fading in the background as Alex started initiating interactions with Dorian. I withdrew to the kitchen to wash dishes and make Alex's lunch as the two of them got deep into a game involving dinosaurs and blocks.

Then I went upstairs too, leaving them to play alone. "Mama stay downstairs!" Alex urged. I told her I'd be down in a little bit, and listened over the railing as she was happily drawn back in to playing. Dorian has a nice manner with her - she's low-key and follows Alex's lead, extending the game without being directive.

At 10, I suggested that they go to story hour at the library. "Dorian and Mama go for a walk," Alex suggested hopefully as Dorian put her in her snowsuit. But when I corrected her, she repeated "Juuust Dorian and Alex" without any signs of distress. I think it's much easier for her to leave us like that, than to have us leave her.

Now Michael is at a job interview. Dorian will bring Alex home and give her lunch, and then end her day when Michael comes home - probably just before naptime. And then she'll be back on Monday for a full day. Whew.

Comments

[journeywoman.livejournal.com]

Were you ever able to get in touch with Meaghan (sp?)?

Glad Dorian seems to be working out well.

[rivka.livejournal.com]

Nope. I'm going to wait a few weeks, and then call her and leave a message saying, "We don't have to talk about what happened, but I need you to come over and pick up your W-2 and sign a receipt for your hours."

It's reassuring that, with Dorian, we're connected to her family. We can call her mom if she walks out on us. :-)