How are your DC adjusting? Time off from school?

[vanessab23]

I am totally unsure of how to handle this-- DS is 3yrs and goes to a Montessori about 20 minutes away (across downtown from where we live). He goes in and out of liking school and getting dropped off without crying (he has been at this school since Sep.) and going thru phases where he cries every time I drop him off. Well, with my due date approaching (monday) and my midwife arriving (saturday) he has started to get REALLY unsettled and cries and complains each time I drop him off. He goes from 9am to 12:30pm daily. I pick up and drop off.

What have you done with your children with previous births or what do you plan on doing this time? I thought it would be easier on all if he stayed home for a week or so...no schlepping on our part and he can bond with DS2 and not feel left out.....BUT his teachers seem to think changing his routine would be harder on him.

What to do???? I knew this would be hard on him and we would have some adjusting to do but I didn't realize it would start this soon-- he doesn't even want me to go take a nap

Thanks for any advice!

[hillaryjudd]

I plan on keeping my sons schedule the same as normal and having my mom take them to school (she does that pretty often anyway) but if they don't want to go I am going to let them stay home with us for the first week or so at least. They are actually on a long weekend from school the week I'm due so they might not have school anyway.

But, in general I think I'll try to have their days be the same as usual as much as possible but be flexible with them if it seems like that's what they need They are twins so I've never dealt with having a new baby and older kids, I've just always had 2 kids!

[ilovebabies]

That's a tough one because all children are different. Although I totally see the benefit of keeping the routine, some children may benefit more from taking the week off and being involved in something so special that involves the whole family.

You asked what others would do... well, we would take the time off of school. That's just us though and what we know would be best for our kids knowing their personality.

A short period of time off may help your son feel more involved, and part of this wonderful process. I really don't see how being out of his normal routine woudl make it *more* difficult. Again though, I know every child is different. It just sounds like from his reactions so far that he might actually benefit more from staying home.

Kids take a couple weeks off for other things like holidays and breaks and even summer vacation but don't seem affected by it negatively. This is certainly much more important than that.

Just my 2 cents. Do what your gut is telling you to do with your son.

[vanessab23]

Thanks mamas-- yes my gut wants to keep him home NOW!!!! In fact I almost kept him home today......

He's just such a tender little guy in some ways-- moving across the globe had no effect on him, he adjusted amazingly well this past 9 months that we have been in MY, but in other ways he is sooooo sensitive.

We don't have any family here so getting him to school in and of itself would be hard anyway......

[liliaceae]

My son doesn't go to school, but I guess in your situation I would just ask him what he wants to do.

[lilliansmom]

My 3 year old DD goes to Montessori also. The teachers also told me it would be better not to change her routine. I noticed when she is out for any amount of time if she is sick or the school is on break she tends to have a hard time going back. I think this is the case with some kids which is why the teachers think they should keep there routine. I agree that it depends on your child. I think I am going to have DD stay with her routine. She needs to get out and play or she gets board.