Mom Nervous About Preschool

I cried when I dropped off my eldest at preschool. A friend was helpful - she said to keep things normal. Normally, for a playdate or leaving her with a babysitter, it was short and sweet goodbyes - drop and go. So that is what I did for preschool - keeping it normal for them. Then I drove away, pulled over, and had my little cry. Plan something fun to do after dropping them off - meet up with a girl friend for coffee or a brisk walk.

I was also nervous when my son started pre-school at 3. I loved his teacher and she was so good with him. She still talks about the child who cried every day of preschool. LOL
He adapted very well and he is now 15. Still doesn't like school.
One plus you have is the boys will have each other. If they are feeling a bit scared they can comfort each other.

Good Luck,
You will make it thru.
Mom of a 13 and 15 year old. Know exactly what you are feeling.

Yes, it's entirely normal for you to feel that way!!!!! To help them best, take care of yourself first. The more stress they feel from you (and they will and do feel it) the more difficult the transition. You might talk with their teacher beforehand and let her/him know your concern. Try not to go into this assuming the worst! - My son was quite shy when he started preschool (he wasn't 3 til mid Oct) and there were tears at our parting etc, but his teacher handled it so well and helped him ease into his new environment.

It helped me to know and feel confident my son was in good hands. Tears will come and there will be that sense of separation. The more you can be an anchor for your boys where they see a smile on your face and hear your own comfort and confidence in your voice in their new adventure, the more secure they will feel. Good luck! It may end up being tougher on you than it is on them!

If their speech therapist thinks it would be good for them, it probably will be. I started my daughter in preschool 2 mornings a week just before her 3rd birthday even though I was a stay at home Mom. I thought it would be good for her socially and it was. I wondered if she could express herself clearly to the teacher and if she'd let her know when she had to go to the bathroom, etc. On the first day, I did a quick drop & go and never looked back. My daughter had a blast and couldn't wait to go back.

Think of this as something you're doing FOR your children. If you're happy with the school they're attending, you should feel comfortable dropping them off. The kids that had the worst time adjusting (in my opionion) were the ones who had Moms who seemed unsure about leaving. Kids pick up on that. They'll only be as worried as they think YOU are.

Make a date with a girlfriend for coffee or breakfast or just do something for yourself (I browsed at a flea market on that first day). Give yourself a pat on the back that you've raised them to this point well enough to have them enjoy some new experiences. Good luck.

Yes this normal and yes you are panicking...lol.

I went to my daughter's open house for Pre-K last night. I was a mess. She doesn't sit still at home or used to waiting in line. The teachers are trained and schooled for this age group. You just need to trust them.

My daughter is fortunate to have 3 children in her Pre-K class that she plays with at daycare.

They'll be fine. Any signs of fear from you the first week will make them fearful. Act like it's no big deal and get them excited about going.

YOU ARE NORMAL!!! My 1st child 1st day of preschool she said "bye Mom" ran in and started playing. I went in the hall and BAWLED!!! I was a nervous reck all day and when I got to school to pick her up she was glad to see me but so excited for the next day. If you trust the preschool then you can rest assured that cring on the first day (or few days) they are use to and if things are really bad they will call you if need be. Enjoy the free hours and know that this is a great oppportunity for all of you!!! I too will be sending my 2nd child off to preschool this year and have already cried about it!!! They will be fine and WE WILL MAKE IT!!! Congratulations on reaching a huge milestone! God Bless!

I remember when my twins started formal school. Although I already had sent 2 children off to school I was in a panic over the twins. 'What if the teacher hates 1? What if 1 has more friends? What if they hate it?'

What actually happened? Well there was a period of adjustment (mostly by me) but everything worked out fine. Take a deep breath and go with the flow. The teachers will work well with the kids, the kids will learn from the others in the classroom, and you will all survive.

You are a totally NORMAL and WONDERFUL mom.

We've all been there. Preschool teachers are VERY used to kids who are entering a structured environment for the first time. Lots of preschoolers have quirky speech patterns or speech difficulties, so again, they've been there, done that. That's what they do. And they are also used to being the surrogate mom, for those kids who do need more comforting, especially at the beginning. They expect it.

Your kids will be fine. May take a little adjusting, but kids are brilliantly adaptable, and in all probablity, they will really enjoy preschool.

I know I can't tell you not to worry, you wouldn't be a mom if you didn't. But take comfort in the fact that you are amongst good company with us other moms who have been where you are and survived! My son is starting his second year of preschool, and even though he will be attending a different school this year, I have almost no anxiety this year (notice I said 'almost'), in comparison to agonizing panic last year. For weeks, I didn't know if I could actually take him to his class and leave him there. But I did it. He was, and is fine, and loves preschool.

Totally normal!!! I was such a wreck when my now 4 year old started preschool last year. One thing that helped was the teaches reminding me that if they didn't think he was ready, they would let me know. If the boys are at all nervous, try reading them the book "Lama Lama Misses Mama." And if they seem fine, just read it to yourself. It might really help!

Don't worry at all. The teachers will know EXACTLY how to deal with any separation problems that arise. The best part is that before you know it, the stucture of the day will set in and they will be adjusted and loving it. In fact, preschool is where kids learn to stand in line, sit and interact with others and do group activities. And it will help improve speach issues as well.

Don't panic. Just go with the flow and keep in constant communication with the teacher (who will reassure you as well as your kids).

Why are they starting preschool at age 3 if they aren't ready? Preschool is important for the year before kindergarten, but not for two years before kindergarten (at least in my opinion). Maybe try it out and see how it goes. And if it doesn't work no big deal. They have another year to mature and they will definitely be ready by age 4.

Oh my gosh, do NOT listen to those posts that question your judgement about putting your boys in school! We may never feel ready to send our children to daycare. Mine started at 5 months (he's 3 1/2 now) and there were many times I cried about it but I have to say everything has worked out fine for me and for him. He loves being around other kids, they do fun activities and the teachers are good with them. As long as you have chosen the daycare wisely, you and they will be just fine! My son isn't speach delayed exactly, but he had tested at the very low end of "normal" on a couple of tests. His speach has really improved as he has been around other average- or above-average speakers. The teachers have no trouble communicating with him. Also, 3 year olds don't always exactly wait in line and follow directions, but I do think that mostly they want to please their teachers and it's not like the teachers of 3 year olds have unrealistic expectations of them. Really, it will be fine. Give them an extra hug and kiss and enjoy the time that you will now have to yourself.
Good luck,
B.

Why are you putting them in preschool? They don't have to go. Why not keep them at home with you and work on the things that you think they should know. You can work on speech issues, letters, numbers, etc. that any school can do. They will blossom under your loving care, as I'm sure they have been doing since they were born. Nobody has to go to preschool. It hasn't even been around that long in the first place throughout all of creation. :)

Yes it's normal. They will be fine. At three not every toddler has perfect speech. The teachers and other children will find the tools to communicate. It will be a great expierience for all of you.

*hug for mom* its going to be ok! I think all of us have had anxiety about preschool. The twins will be fine. They have each other. My daughter's school called me whenever she cried in the beginning to reassure her that everything would be fine. They are going to cry in the beginning but just make your goodbyes quick and once u leave they'll start to play and everything will be fine. You can do it mom! :-)

Kim

Very normal of your feelings/worries.

Just know these are trained teachers who have probably dealt with lots of different children just like your sons. They will do fine!

Hi! Yes, it's normal to worry about such a big change in your life, and the life of your boys! But, just wait until you see the changes it will make in them! They will have no problems walking in line, etc...Once they see all the other kids doing it, they will too. It may take them a bit to adjust, it may not. That is different w/each child. My best advice is...if they cry, hug them, kiss them, tell them you love them and you will be back for them, and leave. Don't linger, it only draws it out, and it scares them sometimes if you sneak out. This way they know you love them and you said you will be back. Don't worry about it after that. The teacher should know how to deal with it from there. When I sent my girls, that's the advice their teacher (now a good friend) gave me. Good luck and try to enjoy the free time it gives you!

I have 3 daughters, my first and third were very verbal, but my second wasn't. When she started pre-school she didn't say very much, but understood. Within weeks her speech came on leaps and bounds. She was also the child who wasn't big into structure, but again this all came once starting school, now at 61/2 she is the child who likes to know exactly what we are doing each day!! Pre-school teachers are totally geared up for children whose speech is delayed, they have all sorts of visual aids too to help the kids. There is always a settling in period too, some days are good, some not as, but work through them. Normally after a few weeks, kids usually settle down.
It's very normal to worry. I found keeping busy really helps - set yourself a task to do, which helps distract you, meet a friend for coffee or go and have some you time. It's amazing how those few hours will fly by. I'll be doing the same thing in September as my 3rd daughter is starting full-time school!

What you are feeling is totally normal. We moms think we are the only ones who can understand/love/help/care for our child(ren). They will be just fine. On the other hand, you may need therapy! LOL Seriously--brace yourself fro a looooooong day that day! Is there another mom you could meet for coffee or something? That would help! Good luck--and, oh yeah--never let them see that you are upset, anxious or sad about them going. No matter what.

Hi! Sounds like you've done a great job, and the boys are ready. I would try to make sure that they don't see that you are nervous, because that may affect them. I have twin daughters who are almost 9 now, their birthday is in Sept. as well. 1 was speech delayed, to the point that when she did start speaking I did not understand her, while her sister did. She did very well at when she started preschool at 3 years old, just as your boys are now. There were tears the first few weeks with her, and the teachers are very good at comforting her and the other children who were upset. Sure enough, as soon as she became comfortable, her twin sister started getting upset and crying. I think they were both settled in to school by mid Oct. Good luck!

It is totally normal for you to be feeling this way. My son started preschool last Monday, he is four though, and I cried the whole way home. Ha. But its good for them to be around other adults and kids their own age. They might have a hard time at first but the more they see that you are okay with the situtaion the more comfortable they will become.
I agree with a comment below that if it is too rough of a transition you could always pull them out and wait until they are four. But give it a good go before you do that.
Teachers are more patient and understanding than you would think. She will get to know your boys and their ways in no time. As for not used to following rules like walking in a line, all that stuff has to be learned and the school will work with them on that.
Try not to panic too much. I know its hard but its also exciting to see just how well your little ones can adjust and learn on their own.