The Big Step into the Land of Education

The Lodger has started his journey into the land of education!

Unfortunately due to cut backs, The Lodger was unable to receive an assistant. We were very fortunate to find a preschool that would take him to see how he would get on. The first day of school was the most nerve wrecking day and not just for me. The Lodgers support network were all equally nervous as he took the big step into education.

 I reluctantly dropped him over to preschool, helped him hang up his jacket and put his lunch bag away. I helped him walk to the table, sat him on the chair, fought back the tears and told him to have a great day.

Before leaving, I emphasised to the teachers, that I was 5 minutes away, to ring me at any stage and then I left.

I got home and spent the next 2 hours 45 minutes anxiously waiting for a call. I won't lie... I didn't clean the house. I didn't read a book. I didn't watch tv. I didn't do anything. I just sat on the couch, nervously waiting, checking to make sure my phone was working and that there hadn't been a catastrophe with mobile networks. I kept flash backing to the tiny baby who has fought for every milestone since day one. 

Finally the time arrived where I could go to collect him. The door of the school opened and there was The Lodger sitting on his chair, jacket on, lunch bag beside him, tiny compared to the other kids. I walked in and said 'Hi Buddy! Did you have a great time? Let's go home"

He clung to the chair and burst into tears. There was no way he was coming home. I promised him he could go back again and he smiled, waved bye to his teachers and came home. He loved it and got on really well! 

Waiting to go to school

First day of school

I would never have imagined that The Lodger at three years old would be doing the same thing as regular kids his age. He's opened my eyes to a world where it can be possible. I know as he grows older, he will find it harder to keep up with his peers but I think with a little adjustment The Lodger is going to conquer it.




In The Lodgers early intervention plan, our main aim is that we want him to reach his maximum potential. He obviously heard us discussing it, as he's going beyond everyones expectations!

The Lodgers teachers are amazing and very supportive. We had a meeting before he started to teach them about Prader-Willi Syndrome, making sure that everyone knows he can only eat what he brings into school and that even though he hasn't shown signs of food seeking so far, he can't be left unsupervised around food. The preschool is so structured with snack time that it suits The Lodgers routine and all has gone to plan so far. 

We are three weeks into preschool now and The Lodgers love for school hasn't changed. Mondays and Fridays are fast becoming his favourite day of the week. School is so popular that it's played in our house every other day of the week. I'll find him with his hat on, carrying his bag, telling me he's off to school. He'll organise his table and chairs with activities for Walter and the gang to do, and sometimes Mum and Dad too. 

Getting Walter ready for school

I can't emphasise enough how wonderful it is to see The Lodger happy. He's thriving and in such a short time, he's learned new skills and picked up more vocabulary. He's learned new games and is excited to see his friends and teachers. 

He's just gone down for his after school nap and I asked him what will he dream about. Usually it's horses. 

Today he smiled, looked at me, signed love and said 'school'!