Single father series

Déjà vu

"Are you sure you want to take him to the nursery? I can watch him when you-"

"He needs to socialise with children of his age, mum. Stop worrying."

"But he's still so small."

"He's four. Children start nursery at an even younger age."

"He'll be away for a long time, what if he gets hungry?"

"They have meals there. I went to day care, you know how this works."

"I enjoy my time with my grandson."

"It doesn't mean you won't be seeing him. In fact he asked to stay at yours for the weekend."

"Of course he can!"

"I'm going to drop him off now, and then head to work. Want a ride home?"

"No, I'm good. Your father is on the way already."

"Say bye to granny, Andrej."

"Where did you say we were going, dad?"

"Nursery."

"Nuh-ry, nah-say-ree... It's such a hard word to pronounce."

"Are you excited to go?"

"I don't know. Will you stay there?"

"We already talked about this, A. There are lots of children in your group, you play and watch cartoons, there's food, you have your naps, and you learn songs. It's a fun place. And there are teacher who are watching you. You'll love it."

"But I don't know anyone there."

"You'll make new friends and you'll all play. They even throw birthday parties there, sometimes there are plays, there are little trips."

"I don't want to stay there alone."

"There are plenty of children, don't worry. I think Ava is in your group, Uncle Peter's daughter."

"She's mean."

"How come? You used to play nicely."

"I lend her my car and she won't give it back."

"I thought you gave it to her as a present."

"But now I want it back."

"You can't ask someone to give you back something you gifted them."

"Why?"

"Because that's the point of a present, you give to others."

"Then she could give me that car as a present. Great idea, dad! I'll tell her to gift it to me tomorrow."

"That-that's not... Oh, here we are. This is your nursery."

"Look, daddy! Swings! Will we play there?"

"I'm sure you will when the weather is nice. Now, give me your hand."

Once we entered the nursery he shied away again. He seemed uneasy with the idea of not staying with me or his grandma but this is a better solution by all means. I kneeled down to help him get his slippers on before entering the room where his group stays. I escorted him to the door but he wouldn't go inside.

"What's wrong?"

"Who's that lady?"

"Your teacher, she'll help you get used to being here, play with you."

"I don't like her."

"You've not even met her."

"She looks mean."