Two Years Old Too Young? I am sad and scared.... - Page 2

[happy*mama]

Originally Posted by mattemma04 

I would give it a try to see how your child likes it.You could always just do one day a week though I am sure you will pay for 3.When my dd was in preschool she went when she wanted to go. I did not force her on the days she wanted to stay home. I see kids crying every day at drop off.I am not sure I could do that,but I assume the kids are ok once they settle into the class.

I feel this way too.  If my ds does not want to go some days I am not going to force him.  I will be paying for 3 days regardless, so if he develops a pattern of not wanting to go I will consider pulling him out completely.  I am feeling more confident about this as the time draws near (one week to go!), ds actually has been asking to go to school and has had a few episodes where he was very upset that we were not going to school.  His teachers came by today for a visit and he LOVED it.  He is in love with the lead teacher and seems comfortable with the assistant.  So far so good.  Phasing in starts next week.  Now if I can keep myself together, I think he will be fine.  He has been acting out lately, I think that he needs more structure than I can provide since I am busy doing chores, work, and errands depending on our needs and my whims.  I mix it up with activities, reading, and outing for ds, but I'm starting to think he is really going to be into this.

ETA:  Maybe I should edit the thread title as I am no longer sad & scared, well ok, maybe sad that my baby is not a baby anymore.  He is on the threshold between being a toddler and preschool age child.

[sbarr_NY]

I'm glad to hear that things are settling down emotionally.  You'll know what is right.  Listen to your heart and mind.   

One thing about socialization and toddlers - (esp. for only children), I personally think it's good to have peer interaction.  Cooperative play is not the be all end all to wait for a certain age.  There is a tangent between parallel play and cooperative play - it's called:  "age appropriate interaction" or "bickering" or "fighting"  I don't think it's so much a "pecking order" as spirited interaction, learn about success, sharing, failure - A bit of struggle/competition can be a good thing.  And, toddlers struggle and compete.  I speak from the perspective of a parent of a wonderful "only child" - 3 yo girl.  From a very young age, she's been at the same babysitter - she started at 2 mo.  My beloved babysitter seems to adopt an infant, raise them to crawl/walk (limit of 3-4 total), then bring another.  Now Lindsey, my little one, has a 2 1/2 yo boy (1 year younger than herself) that she has literally grown up with.  They fight, bicker - in fact, even today, when I went to pick her up, the sitter shared a few funny stories.  Lindsey and her buddy were bickering - babysitter said (very nicely):  I don't want to hear about it unless there is blood"  Lindsey pointed to her toe which had a "boo boo" (unrelated to their bickering).  De-escalated the whole situation and the kids laughed.  So, I do think stimulating, even competitive interaction between young children is good, especially for "only" children.  She competes with these other children, sometimes wins and sometimes loses.  Not in a bad way, just more as one would with siblings  (or other cubs in a pack). Compete is probably the wrong term (Not trying to raise a competitive child - far from it.  I just want my daughter to know she is loved and there are time she won't always get what she wants). Another girl, about 8 months older - these girls are feisty in competition, but great friends.  If one wants the toy, the other one wants the toy.  They settle their differences.

If you do enroll him, let your son be the guide.  If he wants to attend, let him.  If he wants to stay home, let him.  You may be surprised - he might be more ready to separate than you. 

I drafted a few other comments, but realized they were more geared to traditionally Montessori "drop off" and "parental visits" that may not apply to your little one.  I'll save those for another thread so as not to derail your topic.

You'll make the right decision - sounds like you have an amazing, precocious son.  Cherish and enjoy - and then let him go (when the time is right - maybe this year, maybe next year).

Re:  being  sad...sigh - my babysitter was telling me that my daughter's senior child (he's 2 years older, and was her mentor from when she was an infant) is starting kindergarten and commented that his mother would be in tears seeing him go to school.  Me - I'm thrilled my 3 yo will go to school - tears come to my eyes at the thought she doesn't want to go "nudie butt".  I can deal with her being in school, but the thought of the (not too distant future) day she doesn't want to rip off her clothes in merriment and dance around the house, that is the day I cry.

[happy*mama]

Originally Posted by sbarr_NY 

 I can deal with her being in school, but the thought of the (not too distant future) day she doesn't want to rip off her clothes in merriment and dance around the house, that is the day I cry.

This is the kind of thing that really gets me emotional.  Toddlers are the best at free expression.  My ds loves to dance naked too.

Thank you for your post.  It is great to receive such support.  Student orientation is on Tuesday and his (gasp!) first day is on Wed.  We have a backpack, slippers, and pictures of my ds and our family ready for the classroom.  This change will be big for me as I'll be focusing on work while ds is at school.  Next week is phasing in though, so I will be at the school, too.  Ok, right now I feel anxious thinking about the following week when the phasing will probably be coming to an end.  I am going to miss my best friend!  Nothing is better than spending time with my ds.