Well, having found what I thought was a preschool that would work for dd (almost 4) - just for two short mornings a week, we've just written to tell them that we're not coming and will be homeschooling this year. It's frustrating because I thought this place was the answer to our prayers, but when I approached them directly about their settling into school policy, I got a letter in reply that made me 
Like - I am not allowed to stay even for one hour the first day. That it is a 'necessary part of school preparation' for her to cry for 'as long as she needs'.
So, now I'm left thinking of how I will organise a new routine for this September. It's a whole new ball-game now, as I thought we had Tues and Thurs sewn up with preschool then some downtime at home. Leaving one day for our AP playgroup or library storytime, and two days to fill with other activities or playdates.
Now looking at my empty diary is daunting and somewhat depressing!
I have a toddler also (just turned two) and will have a new baby in November. I just dont know how to fill the week to give both girls (and me) some regular socialisation. I liked knowing that certain days were booked out for certain things, then filling in the rest of the time with odds and ends, days out, and activities at home. I can't stand not having some sort of routine.
I am not at all worried about filling time when we are at home, or the 'education' side of things. I worked in elementary education for years, and we fill our time at home easily. But I dont want to stay home all the time, and when we are not occupied and seeing other poeple, the girls tend to start arguing. (They are great friends if they are busy or have been out the house for something and seen other people, though)
Individual activities for my older dd will be too difficult for us, because dd will not separate from me (she is high needs, high anxiety, with characteristics on the autism spectrum, socially great one to one but very anxious in groups, but also very bright academically.) I can't see how I can attend for example, dance classes with her to settle her (may take six months to get her to that stage) with a toddler then a baby in tow. And I can't find any evening classes where dh could help out. I guess I could find some Saturday classes for things, but that defeats the object of trying to keep us busy enough Mon-Fri - we always have tons to do when dh is around at weekends!
Almost everyone we know has their child either in preschool or daycare, so daytime playdates are becoming increasingly difficult to arrange.
I can afford some expense of classes for the two dds together, but not ridiculous amounts, eg Music Together they like if we all go together, but for two kids it is sooo expensive for a one hour a week activity. And most things won't take the two kids together. Or insist that by four my older dd should be 'independent' of me and able to participate alone, which is impossible.
So, how do you experienced homeschoolers fill your days? Are there gruops out there for preschool aged 'homeschoolers'? Or where younger children are welcomed? How do I find out?
This is the part that's worrying me. Last year was easy, as we had so many other friends also with 3year olds at home. But now, there are very few, and so playdates will be far less regular. This year seems so different, with the kids older now.
Ideas and words of encouragement would be very very welcome!!
Like - I am not allowed to stay even for one hour the first day. That it is a 'necessary part of school preparation' for her to cry for 'as long as she needs'.So, now I'm left thinking of how I will organise a new routine for this September. It's a whole new ball-game now, as I thought we had Tues and Thurs sewn up with preschool then some downtime at home. Leaving one day for our AP playgroup or library storytime, and two days to fill with other activities or playdates.
Now looking at my empty diary is daunting and somewhat depressing!
I have a toddler also (just turned two) and will have a new baby in November. I just dont know how to fill the week to give both girls (and me) some regular socialisation. I liked knowing that certain days were booked out for certain things, then filling in the rest of the time with odds and ends, days out, and activities at home. I can't stand not having some sort of routine.
I am not at all worried about filling time when we are at home, or the 'education' side of things. I worked in elementary education for years, and we fill our time at home easily. But I dont want to stay home all the time, and when we are not occupied and seeing other poeple, the girls tend to start arguing. (They are great friends if they are busy or have been out the house for something and seen other people, though)
Individual activities for my older dd will be too difficult for us, because dd will not separate from me (she is high needs, high anxiety, with characteristics on the autism spectrum, socially great one to one but very anxious in groups, but also very bright academically.) I can't see how I can attend for example, dance classes with her to settle her (may take six months to get her to that stage) with a toddler then a baby in tow. And I can't find any evening classes where dh could help out. I guess I could find some Saturday classes for things, but that defeats the object of trying to keep us busy enough Mon-Fri - we always have tons to do when dh is around at weekends!
Almost everyone we know has their child either in preschool or daycare, so daytime playdates are becoming increasingly difficult to arrange.
I can afford some expense of classes for the two dds together, but not ridiculous amounts, eg Music Together they like if we all go together, but for two kids it is sooo expensive for a one hour a week activity. And most things won't take the two kids together. Or insist that by four my older dd should be 'independent' of me and able to participate alone, which is impossible.
So, how do you experienced homeschoolers fill your days? Are there gruops out there for preschool aged 'homeschoolers'? Or where younger children are welcomed? How do I find out?
This is the part that's worrying me. Last year was easy, as we had so many other friends also with 3year olds at home. But now, there are very few, and so playdates will be far less regular. This year seems so different, with the kids older now.
Ideas and words of encouragement would be very very welcome!!
Everyone is here to work 24/7, or is likely to move on out if they have children. It seems that every time we make a friend, they move. I honestly could start getting a complex about it. 
) There is definitely a culture barrier. Divided by a common language and all that. It makes it hard for me to approach people about things, like those wonderful suggestions you made. First, they often don't understand a word I say, especially on the telephone. And second, they just think I'm weird. After five years, I still feel that I"m in a foreign country and often feel out of my depth. Which is really odd, as at home I am very confident and comfortable dealing with most people and most situations.
There are a couple of friends that she actually does socialise with when we meet up, but with others gruops, they simply do their own thing. But if an activity is somewhere interesting with interesting stuff to do and to talk about later, I'm not bothered. I guess the socialization bit is more for me, the stimulation for them. Does that make sense?
