Since the beginning of the new year, Savanna has been having a really hard time transitioning to her new primary class. We would endure Saturday evening meltdowns and then Sunday morning meltdowns and then during church meltdowns.
This past week was no exception. It might have even been the worst. She started whining as we were sitting waiting for sacrament meeting started then escalated as the meeting began into a near meltdown as the song began. Her frustration was loud enough that she had to be taken out. While I was leaving with her, I passed Brandon and Devin just arriving to the church. I asked where dad was and they said he was going home to get the scriptures that had been forgotten. Savanna continued with her meltdown getting louder as we got closer to leaving the chapel doors. I tried to hold her standing between the double doors instead of the foyer but the sound echoed between the glass making the crying about 100 times worse. While we were in the entrance, I saw Jeff driving out of the parking lot headed home to pick up forgotten scriptures. My frustration mounted along with Savanna's.
Physically, my ears can't handle the whiny crying anymore. It hurts. It's painful. So I had to take her outside. It was a good thing the day was nice.
I set her down as she is too big to hold for a great length of time. I held her hand and stroked her hair but nothing was helping her through her frustration. Finally I told her that my ears were finished listening to her cry. If she felt like she wanted to keep crying she could but I was going back in the church where it was warmer (and I couldn't hear her).
Once back inside, I stood looking out the doors just watching her.
She had been outside for several minutes by herself when a lady from our ward came to the doors and before entering, paused to wonder if Savanna was crying because she was outside and couldn't get back in or if she was otherwise troubled. After looking around outside for a parent and then peering into the building and seeing me watching, we exchanged head nods and hand signals and she entered. Savanna continued on outside. After a quick chat to explain the situation, I headed outside to see if Savanna had finished crying her sad tears and wanted to come back inside. I held out my hand and she reached for it. After a hug and a love, we reentered the building. Meanwhile I had no idea what the other kids were doing by themselves in the chapel. I had no idea when or if Jeff arrived. The sacrament was well underway and so we sat out on the couch waiting for the door to open. I was disappointed to miss the sacrament. After the doors were opened, we walked back to the family sitting in the chapel. When it came time to go to primary, Savanna followed me to the room. Together we sat by her teacher and visited with her for a few minutes. Savanna had settled enough that I was able to leave her with her class and head to my own. After meeting her teacher met me near the coat room and let me know that Savanna did great in class and she loves being her teacher. I then explained how Savanna feels about Peimary and she suggested having Savanna come out to her house and see her animals and perhaps ride one of her horses. Monday after work was arranged.
I'm grateful to Sister Charlotte Mendenhall for her willingness to help Savanna.
