Preschool - Cottage Grove,WI

How are you going to work at home with two toddlers? Do you feel that she will get the play-basd learnng that happens at a preschool? What about maybe doing a few half days of preschool?

Hi B.,

Well, preschool isn't all about social interactions (I would actually say that social stuff is low on the list of what it's about). It's about taking direction in a structured environment from an authority figure that is not related to you. Kindergarten is the new 1st grade (ie they have to be reading and writing and able to follow multiple commands at one time). That can be pretty stressfull for a kid if they have never been exposed to that environment - the response they get one on one from mom is VERY different than they way they react to a teacher in front of 20 other kids.
Most kindergartens are full day (or at least 5 hours) so going from 0 to all that can also be pretty stressfull for a 5 year old. Preschool prepares them for that environment that is way different from home. Even though she has been in a pre-school environment she won't remember that if she stays at home for the next 2 years.

One note - you said you are working 25 hours a week from home. What will your 3 year old be doing while you are working (I assume you are actually 'working' where you have to give your attention to your work). If you are taking your daughter out of a preschool that she loves where she has friends and asking her to play with her younger sib while you work, she might be less than thrilled with the transition.

You have to do what is best - if you will really get to spend time with your daughter, you can't ever get that back. I would JUMP at the chance to stay at home with my daughter. But kids ONLY benefit from pre-school as well.

Good luck!

Do what you need to do.

I have a recently turned 4 year old son. We cannot afford Preschool... now.
He is home with me. I also work from home at times.
He is fine.
I also home school him... to the extent that he will cooperate. LOL

I also have play-dates for her.
I also take him out.
i also signed us up for a 'free' kids group that is put on by our local Parks & Rec program.
we have a routine.
Its fine.

Or, take him to activities for Toddlers. Gymboree classes etc. with Mommy type things.

For me, I am a SAHM.. .and my daughter has actually told me "Mommy, I'm glad you are home with us.... and I can see you after school.... not like other Mommies that are hardly home because they work..." I almost cried when she told me that. My son also told me he LOVES that he is home with me....
It made me tear up....
Kids, look back on their formative years, even down the road.. .and these things form their "memories" of childhood... and of you.
I remember my Mom being home with me and my siblings... and it is warm and fuzzy feelings....

But like anything, you do what you need to do or can or cannot. Due to basic money needs or not. And it cannot be helped, and it is NOT a wrong or right thing to do, or that you are better or worse than other Moms. We do what we can and need to do... the best we can.

But yes, how will you work from home, while your child is home, too?
I work, when my kids are sleeping.

all the best,
Susan

I am all for you spending quality time with your children but I don't understand that being the reason for not sending her to preschool while you work. When you are working, you are not paying attention to her in a meaningful way, so why not send her to preschool?

Love pre-school. Have made many sacrifices (money, time, etc.) in order to make this possible for both of our kids.

Dear B.,
Bravo to you and your husband. You will not regret these years spent with your children. And, you are right that you will never get to redo them. Yes, you will have an adjustment having her home. You will have good days, and you will have bad days. Realizing that beforehand will help you keep perspective in the midst of the frustrating moments. She will have to adjust to a new routine and schedule. You will have the honor and privilege to teach her diligently, work on her character issues (we all have them!), love on her, read to her. Your daughters will get to build their friendship and learn to share more, etc. I'm so excited for your family. When we brought our son home from school to homeschool him (and all the rest as they came along), it was such a hard adjustment for me. However, we made it through that first year and cannot imagine doing it any other way now. We shudder at the thought of be apart all day every day. It makes me tear up thinking about sending my children off all day. We love being together, working together, playing together. We cherish the time we have. As my oldest is now 18, and hopes to be married in a couple of years, we see that our little nest will be changing with the kids leaving as they go off into the world. While this is a good thing, we will miss these fleeting years!

When are you planning to get your work done? I can't get anything done at home with my two (ages 4 and 22m) around! If you can, that's great, but there's nothing wrong with a 3 year old going to preschool a bit! If you can't afford it, then you can't afford it, but I would seriously rethink two days of preschool! You have 5 other whole days a week!

I work at a preschool that is 2 1/2 hours each day. Parents can send their child 1 day a week or all 5 days if they want. Would you consider something like that? A full day preschool is probably more like a daycare. I'm sure they have a curriculum but at that age I'd bet there is plenty of time for playing, eating, and resting too.

I think you are on the right track. I have read studies that talk about the things that are missing in children's lives now and that is play. They say it is important for them to just play and not be learning in a structured environment. I am not saying that learning is not good......but all of the things that your preschool is teaching, you could do with her everyday and be spending time with her. I have three boys, 7,4, 21 months and each day is precious......as they get older they will want to spend more time with friends, etc. Enjoy these years......they are so short.

My personal opinion, is preschool is way over rated. We can do the same thing at home, we pay the preschools to do. I wouldn't second guess yourself just because there are so many parents nowdays sending there kids to preschools. Good luck to you! :)