Our daughter, Bliss, at 3 1/2, recently started preschool. The first day of school happened despite the small one's best efforts to derail the plan.“Mom, what is school?” she asked me one night not long before class began. “Do they teach you things you don't know?”Thinking this was a positive question, my eyes lit up, and I responded, “Yes! That's exactly what it is. Aren't you excited to start school?”“Well, Mom, I already know all my stuff,” the smug child reported, “and some kids don't have to go to school.”Oh, she is clever, but I told her there was still plenty of stuff for her to learn — and that she certainly wasn't “one of those kids.” And so, on a crisp fall morning right after Labor Day, Miss Bliss got dressed in a flowery pink sweater, leggings and her new, very grown-up silver boots, and off we went. Not surprisingly, Yellow the Blanket came along, stuffed into a purse where Bliss knew he was to remain while she was at school.The little girl tried her hardest to be brave, but by the time we pulled into the parking lot at school, her lower lip was quivering wildly and her brown eyes welled up with tears.“Mom, I'm going to miss you,” she cried then — as she has every morning since. It's been rough on both of us — even though her teacher assures me the crying stops the moment I'm out of sight. Little does she know that my tears don't start until I'm out of sight!While it's only two days a week for a few hours in the morning, the new routine has taken some getting used to.First, Bliss (and her parents) have had the luxury of having the wonderful “Granny Nanny” Marybeth in our lives, meaning no daycare drama — and, of course, undivided attention every day. That whole sharing thing? It's a little bit tough, but since Bliss is actually (thankfully) a really nice kid, she's getting the hang of it. And, I'm embarrassed to admit, we've already been late on a couple occasions. It seems Mom and daughter lose track of time too easily some mornings. I'm blaming it all on the need for French toast every morning, though. It certainly can't have anything to do with my time-management skills, can it?All in all, it's been a good thing. Bliss is learning social skills — sharing, raising her hand, following a routine — and her brain is soaking up all sorts of new information.As for Yellow, I'm not sure what he's getting out of it, though Bliss did reassure Marybeth that “she pulls his little head out of the bag so he can see” while they're at school. I'm sure he's grateful.

Our daughter, Bliss, at 3 1/2, recently started preschool.

The first day of school happened despite the small one's best efforts to derail the plan.

“Mom, what is school?” she asked me one night not long before class began. “Do they teach you things you don't know?”

Thinking this was a positive question, my eyes lit up, and I responded, “Yes! That's exactly what it is. Aren't you excited to start school?”

“Well, Mom, I already know all my stuff,” the smug child reported, “and some kids don't have to go to school.”

Oh, she is clever, but I told her there was still plenty of stuff for her to learn — and that she certainly wasn't “one of those kids.”

And so, on a crisp fall morning right after Labor Day, Miss Bliss got dressed in a flowery pink sweater, leggings and her new, very grown-up silver boots, and off we went. Not surprisingly, Yellow the Blanket came along, stuffed into a purse where Bliss knew he was to remain while she was at school.

The little girl tried her hardest to be brave, but by the time we pulled into the parking lot at school, her lower lip was quivering wildly and her brown eyes welled up with tears.

“Mom, I'm going to miss you,” she cried then — as she has every morning since. It's been rough on both of us — even though her teacher assures me the crying stops the moment I'm out of sight. Little does she know that my tears don't start until I'm out of sight!

While it's only two days a week for a few hours in the morning, the new routine has taken some getting used to.

First, Bliss (and her parents) have had the luxury of having the wonderful “Granny Nanny” Marybeth in our lives, meaning no daycare drama — and, of course, undivided attention every day. That whole sharing thing? It's a little bit tough, but since Bliss is actually (thankfully) a really nice kid, she's getting the hang of it.

And, I'm embarrassed to admit, we've already been late on a couple occasions. It seems Mom and daughter lose track of time too easily some mornings. I'm blaming it all on the need for French toast every morning, though. It certainly can't have anything to do with my time-management skills, can it?

All in all, it's been a good thing. Bliss is learning social skills — sharing, raising her hand, following a routine — and her brain is soaking up all sorts of new information.

As for Yellow, I'm not sure what he's getting out of it, though Bliss did reassure Marybeth that “she pulls his little head out of the bag so he can see” while they're at school. I'm sure he's grateful.