Concerned About Connor

As a Mom, I now come up with many more things to worry about. And when you have twins you sometimes compare them to one another to complicate matters. Right now Chloe is happy, loving dance class, and excited to go to school each day.

For over a week now Connor has begged not to go to school and cries in the morning before being dropped off. He tells me he doesn't want to put on his clothes, that he wants to stay home with "his toys," and my personal favorite, that he needs to stay with Leo. Since Leo spends most of the day sunning himself and napping I totally understand why Connor would want stay home with Leo. Heck, I'd like to stay home with Leo too.

How Leo likes to spend his day

It all started right after we had a visit from our Louisiana cousins Andrew and Baby Elizabeth. At first I thought he'd enjoyed all the activities from the visit that he'd rather do that than go to school. This theory was supported by the fact he kept asking if Andrew was coming over to play. I explained Andrew had to go home and he seemed to get it. But, he was still breaking my heart each morning crying and telling me he didn't want to go to school.

My next theory was supported by some other Mothers I'd discussed Connor's new aversion to school with. The first day he was upset about going to school was the Monday after we'd gotten Chloe her ballet outfit and the first day of her dance class. I was now convinced Connor was jealous of Chloe getting to take ballet and the special attention related to that. I talked to the director at the kids' school to see if we could include Connor in the class or find some other class for the boys or anything. She told me Connor didn't even notice when Chloe went to class and he didn't really seem care. I wasn't so sure so I did what I should have done to begin with, I asked Connor.
Shelley: "Did you know Chloe is taking ballet?"
Connor: "Yes"
Shelley: "Do you want to take ballet?"
Connor: "No"

So he's not worried about missing out on being a ballerina.

He is still fighting me on getting dressed each morning and cries on the way to school. I've tried to ask him why he doesn't want to go to school but so far I haven't gotten a clear answer. So for now, Chloe is excited and squeals each morning when we get to school and I can hear Connor's cries as I leave in my car. Still working on theories and solutions.