My daughter is 3 and currently in preschool. I have been agonizing over whether or not to send her to the day camp that her school runs over the summer. I am a stay at home mom and I really wanted to have the summer with her. Little one's are only little for so long, that I wanted this time with her. However, I see how much she has thrived this year in preschool. She has developed into a mature, smart little girl. My intention was always to keep her home this summer, but now I see how much she has thrived. Today I signed her up for camp. I walked out of her school crying. I miss her so much during the day, but I think camp would be good for her. I think that maybe I wanted her home for me, not for her. I am really regretting signing her up though. I never planned on sending her to camp. Did I do the right thing? And if I did, then why do I feel so lousy? Sorry for the long rant and thank you in advance for your responses!
If you want to keep her home, you should. She is only 3 and will have plenty more time for preschool!
Keep her home then and you can do lots of things with her. I always loved having my kids home for the summer. No schedules! She is only 3 and has the rest of her life for school and camp. Sounds like you really want time with her. Personally I don't blame you. They are little only for a short time. Just my opinion.
The right thing? Sure! The thing is, either choice would have been the right thing. She will thrive and play and do well if she goes to camp and she will thrive and do well and play if she stays home with you. She may be a little more challenged with you since SAHM moms have a harder time keeping structured pre-school based activities going ALL DAY LONG-but so what, kids learn to entertain themselves and bond with mom and it's a different KIND of great day.
If you want your child home with you at this age, KEEP HER HOME. You have the privilege of not working and you want her with you! You're right, she's only this age ONCE. Yes, she'll be great at camp, but it's not like being home would be bad for her. I kept all my kids home until kindergarten (my youngest is three and with me all the time) except for my oldest who got a little part time daycare before all the classes for everyone made it unaffordable for younger siblings. I wouldn't trade these times for the world even though sometimes I think they'd be having more fun in a structured program for kids-they are happy, healthy, social, bright kids like any other.
It's OK to make the choice FOR YOU. You are her mom. Also, if money is no issue, you can leave her signed up and keep her home whenever you want as one option.
Is this camp five days a week, every week, all summer long? I would be surprised that a preschool camp really fills every week of the entire summer. Be sure you're not over-reacting here -- if it's only a few weeks, go for it. If it really is every week of the whole summer, it's not a camp; it's summer preschool.
Do be sure to spend that time with her in the summer on your own, enjoying time with just the two of you. Can you find some summer classes through your local recreation center or parks department such as "mommy and me" dance, tumbling, art for toddlers etc.? Have you and she tried music classes like Music Together or Kindermusik? Summer is a good time to do things you can't do with her during the preschool year because she's at preschool.
Also consider that she might benefit from a break from preschool, especially if the camp is at the same place she goes during the school year. A break with some classes and outings with you could be good for her too. Even young kids need a break from the routine over the summer. She loves it now, but if she goes all summer long as well, she might be a bit burned out on preschool by fall.
I am calling you out.
No I do not think you are doing the right thing, I told you as much the LAST time you asked this question.
And now that you asked the question about HATING your Childs preschool teacher because your 3 yo refuses to eat anything for lunch but bagels and cream cheese.
I'm wondering if you might be feeling guilty because you really want to have a few hours off from your little tyrant. That sounds mean and i'm sorry, I obviously don't know your child, but i do not understand how sending her to camp will help her at all. It sounds like she thinks it sounds fun and you are catering to her again.
There is some amount of saddness in separating and there is some degree where we need to recognize what is good for the child even if it is tough for mom, so if that is really what is going on then i apologize again,
BUT the tone i am getting from your posts is that you are very young mom that wants your kid to like you as opposed to you wanting to raise your child to be a responsible adult with lovely childhood memories of mommy providing structure.
I feel the same way, but I have two 5 yr olds in Kindergarten. She is only 3 so I would not feel guilty keeping her home. This will be my boys first yr going to camp but I am only going to send them for 2 weeks and it is only half days. If she will be going all summer, everyday, all day long that is a lot for a 3 yr old. See if you can just do a couple days a week or just do 2 weeks if it is everyday. The summer is short, enjoy it with her :)
Will they let her do half days or 2 or 3 days a week? Then you both benefit. She gets the interaction with other kids and you get her more often. (Personally I would just keep my kids home but each kid is different. She may need that time with others) You have to do what is right for you both. They are only little once so YES enjoy it!!!
No reason why you can't have your cake and eat it too. Speak with the camp director, maybe you can do a 3 day a week schedule.
Good luck to you and yours,
F. B.
You should have asked this question before you paid. My answer is and would have been---keep her at home--3 is way too young for summer camp.
