To preschool or to not! Help!

[mimiharshe]

I'm cross posting the other education area as well:

Preschool or Not?
Don't know if this is the right place to post this or not, but I wanted to get opinions on preschooling. I wouldn't want to send dd who is 3 to a daycare/preschool, but maybe one that is out of a woman's home w/like 6 other kids and the teacher has an early educ. degree.

DD is hitting this "I am ready and wanting to learn everything and want to be doing activites and crafts ALL day long" stage. It's great, I want to embrace it, but feel I can't keep up.

With her and ds at 18 months and TTC and knowing DH is going to be gone more in school, I think I'm panicking that I need some kind of help (I don't have any help like a lot of other mamas here other than my wonderful DH). So, I was thinking of a preschool like this 2 days/week for a few hours OR hiring these 2 young girls I know as "mother's helpers" 2 days/week for a few hours (each one comes once a week). I think dd would have a lot of fun at the preschool, but also like having my kids w/me.

Please help and give advice,

January

[mimiharshe]

this has probably been asked/discussed too many times, huh?

[2tadpoles]

I think that if you feel that you and your DD would benefit from her attending preschool, then send her.

It's kind of strange to ask a bunch of homeschoolers for advice on that, though. I think you'd get more responses in the Learning at School forum.

[aniT]

My DD is going to be three next month. I am currently looking for a parent co-op preschool for her to attend. She would only be going for maybe 3 hours 2-3 days a week. So far the only one I found is full and she is on the waiting list. The other one hasn't returned my phone call yet so I will have to wait until next week to call them again.

Both my older daughters attended this type of school and loved it.

[mimiharshe]

Originally Posted by 2tadpoles

I think that if you feel that you and your DD would benefit from her attending preschool, then send her.

It's kind of strange to ask a bunch of homeschoolers for advice on that, though. I think you'd get more responses in the Learning at School forum.

i don't think it's strange to ask homeschoolers at all! i want to know your opinions as i have been going back and forth on whether or not to homeschool. getting advice from your perspective is wanted!

thanks for any input!

[flyingspaghettimama]

I would try the preschool or daycare for a few hours a week. If you don't like it, just pull her. She might really love it though, and enjoy spending some independent time with new little friends.

[mommy68]

the preschools in our area offer 1,2,3,4,5 days per week. You could always start out with just 1 or 2 days a week and it's just mornings, like 9-12 in our area so it's not like she will be gone ALL day. you can see how she likes it atleast. my youngest dd loves p/s and couldn't stay at home long without getting back to it. she would never want to be at home all day long. she's been bored during christmas vacation.

[blsilva]

Originally Posted by flyingspaghettimama

I would try the preschool or daycare for a few hours a week. If you don't like it, just pull her. She might really love it though, and enjoy spending some independent time with new little friends.

ITA. I tried preschool with my ds, and he really did not like it, which surprised me because he really wanted to go- as long as he though it was only playing! But a lot of kids seem to really like it. I would find one you and dd like, try it a few hours a week, and be open to her reactions. If she likes it, great. If not, then it may not be for her.

[mimiharshe]

thank you for the advice! i'm trying to see if i can figure out a good weekly schedule for us so she doesn't have to go....we shall see....i'll keep you posted...