Adjusting

It’s been a difficult adjustment. My three-year-old son has been going to preschool for two weeks now (3 days/week, am & pm sessions). And I have had a hard time adjusting.
Thanks to going to Busy Bears twice a week this past year and already being familiar with the teachers and setting, JT has adjusted well to preschool from all that we can tell. I, however, do not have a new routine yet.
4 ½ of the 6 days he’s been in preschool, I have been close to ticked-off-at-the-world by 3:30pm. I recognize that it’s no one’s fault except my own, and I’ve tried to not displace my anger towards anyone (though Alison might disagree with that assessment).
Since his preschool is across the hall from my office, it makes a lot of sense for me to take him and pick him up from school. However, that means my workday gets chopped down to 6 hours from the pre-preschool level of 8+ hours. At 2:30 I go sign him out, help him gather his stuff, talk to the teachers, give him a snack, and talk with him about his day. Then, unless he takes a nap (happened once) I become 50% (at the most) effective…which gradually turns my insides into a raging, resentful jerk.
Now, legalistically, I’ve managed to get an appropriate amount of work hours in due to a lot of evening meetings. Yet, I still don’t feel I’m giving my vocation what I should. My Jesus and my congregation deserve better.
So, Thursday I went into the office early (and sent our Preschool Director into shock) and Alison brought him to school. This worked much better for me, though it inconveniences Alison. I think we’re gonna try that a few more times. And if that doesn’t work, we might be looking for an afternoon sitter and/or changing my day off. For now, if you read this, say a prayer for me.