Four-Year-Old Friendship

Today on the way home, Pirate Luke told me he wanted me to come be a teacher at his preschool.

"I'll show you what to do Mommy." he said, in a matter of fact tone.

This, only 4 months after vacating my High School Assistant Principal job to be a full time stay at home mom.

"Why, honey?" Because he wants to spend more time with me? Because he recognizes my creativity and goofiness? Because he knows in my heart I am a passionate teacher?

"Because Ms. Carrie is there." he answered. Ms. Carrie is the mother of Luke's best friend, Cole. Cole and Luke are in the same class, and Ms. Carrie teaches in the adjoining room.

Oh. Now it makes sense. Luke wants what Cole has; welcome to Four-Year-Old Friendship. He wants me to teach at his preschool the same way he wants that cool pirate shirt Cole was wearing today. But Four-Year-Old Friendship is also scary. On the playground, Luke is learning from his peers a whole new way to express himself, "That's not fair" and "You're not my friend anymore!" (You're right, I'm not your friend, I'm your mom!). These kids talk about going to each other's houses and birthday parties as though it is currency. And they use these opportunities to wield power. My heart broke when my son told me in a desperately sad voice, "Denzel said I can't come to his birthday party." The character building continues.


Anyway, I'm thinking about preschool teacher as my next career. In honor of this, we spent the rest of the afternoon making Cheerio necklaces.