Preschool.... - Muskegon,MI

I think there is no reason to not send him. He will do well and enjoy the time in class. Her petty actions should not deprive him.

One thing to consider in this situation is that pre-school may help your son. Being around teachers and other students who are achieving and excelling may help him to become more vocal. I went though this with my own son at age 2. He was using very few words, content to sign for what he wanted, or we just provided it for him. I was getting frustrated with his lack of speaking progress. Our situation changed and he had to be moved from his in-home daycare where everything had been provided for him to a learning center daycare, and within 2 weeks he was speaking in full sentences. In this case it was because he had too, and that he wanted to to get his needs met. I personally think it was the best thing for him.

On a side note, keep in mind that your cousin is proud of her daughters achievements. She may not realize that by glowing about her latest accomplishments it may be hurting your feelings. I would be willing to bet that she doesn't even realize it. She is simply excited for all that her child is doing, not likely trying to create a rift.

Good luck with your decision.

I would send him to the school, and stop talking to the annoying cousin at your workplace as much as humanly possible. And, don't be defensive about your sweet little guys development. He is FINE!!! Super fine! He's not a prematurely potty trained parrot, sure. But he is awesome. :)

Besides...even if you send him to a different school, you will still be forced to work with Susie Everbright's mom, right? So, I don't think you will be free from the comparisons even if they are in separate schools. Pick the one that is best for you and your family.

I understand you not wanting the constant comparisons, that is soooo annoying! But, it would be a shame to keep your son from something that could really help him because you don't want the comparisons. My son is also speech delayed and I cannot even tell you how much going to pre-school helped with his language and social skills. Would it be possible to send him to a different pre-school?

Also, early milestones mean jack squat. Kids will catch up in their own time. My son took a long time to get his words but by daughter who is almost 2 is advance in her language skills, but I know that sooner or later kids her age WILL catch up to her. Good luck!

If your child really is delayed and needs some more time, it is a good thing to hold him back now. Lots of parents do it.

Getting him out of grade-level competition won't hurt either.

You're not being over protective of him, you're defending yourself against these comparisons. I have a similar situation with my sister, and I don't think I'd want my kids in the same school with hers -- it would be just a little too much for me. Kids develop at their own pace and do things when they're ready. It's not a race, and they all get where their going eventually. My daughter read at three, but her classmates read just as well as she does now (fifth grade) -- what does it matter that she read early? Who cares? My son started reading at 5, and he's going into second and reads almost as well as she did as his age -- he's totally catching up. Does it matter? Nope! If it makes you more comfortable, send him to a different school. But people will always make comparisons, especially elementary school parents! If you like the school, maybe you just need to learn to stand up and answer these comparisons 'cause there's more to come!

I agree with Katie M. Don't keep your son out of a fun activity because you don't want him compared to his cousin. Can they be in different classes?

I think the only way I would keep my child back another year in this instance if I felt that the two of them going to school would have a direct effect on my child. I mean I get what your saying as I have a daughter the same age as her cousin and the two are constantly being compared by my IL's. At one time I thought they were going to be in the same class then my SIL decided to switch her son out to another school completely. (Maybe she was tired of the IL's comparing them too) Anyway, I felt as long as the direct comparison was not put on my daughter, then I'd just deal with it. And while they were and still are compared I don't think it is directly effecting my daughter. (Yes, I am tired of it and I suppose my SIL might be too, but my daughter does not notice it)

So my answer is as long as your cousin isn't going to go directly to your son, then I don't think you should let it bother you and I don't think you should hold him back. However, if you think it will or it already does, then yes perhaps holding him back for this reason might be better in the long run.

My oldest didn't talk in full sentences until he was three and a half. Perfectly normal, well for my family, and crazy smart guy. My second talked in full sentences at one and a half, yup they are two years apart and they learned together.

She is also crazy smart but really all those milestones didn't mean squat. She talked early, and I mean the kid could throw up a dictionary by the time she was two, because of how I was working with both of them. Not sure if that makes sense.

My point is milestone bragging only has the power you let it have, ya know? Don't hold your son back from an opportunity just because of that nonsense.

I think you should decide based on whether or not it will be good for him, not based on whether or not it's good for you. If you don't want the comparisons, is there another preschool in your area you could go to? If not, just ignore it.

I would think that being in a preschool around other kids would help him catch up in speech, since the other kids are good peer role models.

My DS with a speech delay thrived with starting 3 year old preschool in the fall just before turning 3 (11/6 birthday). He is now doing a two year kindergarten program in the fall (junion kinder, then traditional) and I think he's better off. I would recommend enrolling your son this fall. He'll probably trive too!

If your cousin gets to you, you can always say to your cousin, "good for her!" "My ds is doing well"..."He moves at his own pace..." "He is right on target for his age", etc. You get the picture. Remember, no matter how "well" anyone seems to be doing, if they go out of their way to make you feel intimidated, bad, etc, then realize they are insecure and this is the way to boost themselves. After all, a secure person doesn't need to do this. Chin up.

E.,

My son was not talking like he should have been when he was about 2 years old.I ended up taking him to an ear,nose and throat specialist.The doc took one look and said he has fluid behind both eardrums,no wonder he can't hear.It was his hearing that was bad,but not bad enough so he could still hear mostly,so he couldn't talk right. Maybe this is your son's problem,just a thought.
As for your cousin comparing your kids,tell her they are two different kids and move at their pace and to please stop. I was adopted and my brother to whom I am not blood related to, our parents would say why can't you be more like your brother in school? I never said it,but thought because we are not blood related,that's why. DUH!

I think yes you are doing him a disservice based on your troubles with your sister. You do what is best for HIM and y'know he just might benefit from it remarkably! You're not being overprotective, you're being unfair for personal reasons.
You need to consider if your son's delayed speech, etc was something far more serious. Are you going to let him suffer the consequences just because your sister tends to compare? You can't do that your whole life. Time to ignore her, "That's great, sis", and let your kids achieve what they can. I have a sister who never fails to talk about her kids. I mean present or not, they're somehow always in the spotlight as to how perfect they are. And yes it grates on my last nerve too. But kids are different, they choose different paths to take and if they don't measure up to someone else's standards, too bad. I love my kids despite any vices or different choices. And actually they seem pretty darn normal.

preschool is fun.. I would not deny your child this fun experience of preschool. in a 2 day a week.. 2 or 3 hour program.. most likely they have a short group time with a story.. then snack time. then a craft .. then playtime. the kids learn to play together get in line... all kinds of things.

They learn to separate from mom too.

I would not deny my child this fun experience just becasue of this other mom. My boy is not like my girl. he doesnt sit and color he runs and jumps.. he is normal.