Preschool Poll

[starbound25]

Since September is around corner, wanted to see if you are sending your kids to preschool, if yes or no how you feel about it too
I've been struggling with this and last year I did not send my oldest dd this year we are going to an open house on sunday for the local preschool, she is 4.5yrs old now and another year without any kind of socilization worries me, that is the main reason I am pretty sure we are sending her
its 3days a week 9-12 not bad
I am very antisocial and dont do moms groups or playtimes or anything so she really gets NO time with other kids just her sister, I really think this will be good for her, but I am scared at the same time and dont know what I'll do next year when kindgergarden starts.........
how bout you??

[Mary]

My son recently started preschool. He is 4 and loves it. He goes 2 days a week for 3 hours. It's such a small part of his life, but an experience he has never had before. It's something all of his own- I think that's the biggest reason he loves it. I don't think it's 'necessary', but at the same time I think it is an enriching experience for him. If he was miserable and didn't like it, I wouldnt' push it.

[Catherine12]

Well, I answered "no". We plan on homeschooling.

I really empathize with the OP - I am also not a "social" person. I realize that it may sometimes be difficult for me to get my dc that "socialization" because I am usually not very comfortable at playgroups, etc. But we are firmly decided on homeschooling, so I will just have to work past my issues and find a social outlet that works for us - or at least, that works for my dc and isn't too bad for me.

There are a lot of options for socialization other than preschool - if you feel you and your child would be happier homeschooling at this age, then maybe you could look into a homeschool group or library storytime or some other regularly scheduled fun activity instead (girl scouts? little league? art classes?).

Maybe your dp could take your dd to some activities so it is less stressful for you?

[mclisa]

my 4 yr old went to preschool last yr 3 days/wk and will do that again this year. It keeps her from getting bored at home and lets herr socialize. They spend time reading, playing in the gym, and playing with each other. She enjoys going.

They have a program for 2 1/2 yr olds but I doubt we will send C in Jan to that, partly because of her food issues. We might because DH won't be able to take her to kindermusik and it would be something fun for her to do.

As long as it is fun and enriches what you are doing then I think it is worth it.

[AuntNi]

My DD just finished preschool, but I wanted to chime in, since I'm also shy/kind of antisocial. DD's an only child, which is the main reason I sent her to preschool for 3 years. She desperately needed kid socialization.

Also, I felt like it was important for her to have kid socialization away from me. I'm just not comfortable with the other moms at school, and playdates/parties are pretty much an agony for me. We play with one friend's children where the mom and me were friends before we had kids, and I really enjoy those. I've read that girls model their friendships on how they see mommies interacting, but overall, I don't feel I'm the best model for girl/girl playdates. I know my social anxieties have affected my career, and I want better for my DD.

Just my two cents' worth. Good luck with your decision!

[ColwynsMommy]

We're homeschooling and will continue on up through high school, hopefully. So no preschool for us.

That said, even if we *were* going to do public school, I still wouldn't send my 3.5 year old to preschool this year. He's just not ready for it. I would maybe make an effort to get him enrolled in a program that a local museum does.. they do weekly themes and the class only lasts an hour or two, one day a week. He's got a late birthday, so I'd hope that he'd be ready next year for preschool, and have him start kindergarten the following year.

I'm so thankful that I don't have to worry about that, though.

As far as social issues.. my son and I are both shy. He does really enjoy one-on-one playdates with kids he's already familiar with (but doesn't like groups so much). When he was a baby, I sucked it up and formed my own playgroup because I couldn't handle trying to break into a clique-y already-formed group. We've been going strong for three years (!) and I've made some great friendships. I still dread going to our weekly meetings with the whole group, but do it anyway. My kids have a great time, and it's for their benefit. Plus, I usually feel a lot better once I'm there.

Personally, I think that if a parent doesn't send their child to preschool, then it's up to the parent to get past their own issues and make sure their child has opportunities to play with other children and meet other people outside the family. If my shyness was such an issue that I couldn't make myself be sociable, then we'd probably reevaluate our decision to homeschool.

[Swandira]

We're homeschooling, but also do a co-op preschool because it's fun.

Nealy
Mama to Thales, 4 1/2, and Lydia, 1 1/2

[mum5]

We are sending our dd1 back to her preschool.
I did go back and forth on the idea last summer, and if it had been my choice I would have said no...... but dh talked me into it. He said that she would LOVE it, ( she is very very social ) and if we didn't like it we could just take her out of it, but I have to say, hand on my heart, she is thriving there. She has a blast, loves her teachers, her friends, her projects that they do. She has talked non stop about her school all summer long and cannot wait to go back.That said they are a Reggio inspired school, that is particularily respectful of the children.
She went 3 mornings last year ( 8.30 - 11.45 ) but this year it will be 5 mornings, and and I know she will be so happy.

[LeftField]

I have a 3 year old. He is not going to preschool. We homeschool.

[L&IsMama]

Nope. We will be homeschooling. I'm just curious, all the self proclaimed "anti-social" mamas here, were you homeschooled or sent to school? Just curious. I just get sick of the whole "well they're not going to be socialized" arguement. :

(On second thought, I better just bow out of this thread alltogether. : But I *am* genuinely curious as to how the shy mamas were schooled)

[chicagomom]

We did preschool last year and will again this year. DD loves it.

[FancyD]

DS will be going to an early internevtion program. He's 2.5, and I think he'll love it! I, however, will cry.

[Catherine12]

Originally Posted by L&IsMama

Nope. We will be homeschooling. I'm just curious, all the self proclaimed "anti-social" mamas here, were you homeschooled or sent to school? Just curious. I just get sick of the whole "well they're not going to be socialized" arguement. :

(On second thought, I better just bow out of this thread alltogether. : But I *am* genuinely curious as to how the shy mamas were schooled)

I went to a private school - socialization-wise it was probably pretty similar to your typical public school. I went to preschool as well, starting at around 3 1/2.

My dh was homeschooled through high school, and although he is not especially social, he is much more comfortable in social situations than I am, and much more confident overall.

[newmommy]

DS is our only child and is currently still home with DH (WAHD). He's been home with DH since birth and we think it would be good for him to start socializing with other Kids.

I'm kind of torn on the preschool issue. I mean, eventually he *will* go but just for the socialization aspect. He certainly isn't ready for any type of academic program...in fact, in his very words he just wants "to play"

DH and I toured a preschool last week...along with DS. I observed him carefully as we went into Suite G which is the class of for 4 year olds. The kids were singing and dancing and just having a good ole time!

DS? He went straight for the toys...Cars and trucks specifically. He didn't seem to care less that *gasp* there were Kids present. I'm just dumbfounded!

At home he's always asking me to play with him. Which I DO...alot. He seems better playing with 1 on 1. My niece (Age 5) and he play and get along fabulously!.

He's not completely potty trained : almost though. And that's a prerequisite for the school.

Anyway, I DO know he won't start Kindergarten until Age 6.

I asked DH his thoughts on the school after we left. He said he was impressed and liked the school but didn't think DS should start until much later...like "next year" (I'm thinking that's what you said last year )

I think privately, he's not ready to let DS go to school yet. Emotionally. I think he'd feel *empty* without DS there with him. For 4 years they have pretty much been inseparable since the birth of DS. He practically wore DS for 2.5 years!

I'm a full time WOH Mama and I feel a little emotional as well about letting him go.

Sigh, once DS becomes completely potty trained (which I'd give him a week or 2), it's just a matter of When he will start.

And DH's emotional level.

[Jessy1019]

My daughter is homeschooled (since birth, basically). She's going to be starting at a charter school for the 2008/2009, but she'll probably be starting in 1st grade at that point. I guess her pre-school year was last year? Though technically, she's not "old enough" for kindergarten until next year.

We're all kinds of messed up,

[MtBikeLover]

We did preschool last year (DS was 3.5) and he will be returning again this year.

[dimibella]

We sent DS when he was 4 and will probably send DD when she is 3 because she will turn 4 soon after the year starts.

[starbound25]

to one of the previous posters curious about the antisocial mamas school past
I went to preschool (called nursery school) and public school and I still turned out this way

[Shakita]

My 4 years old son starts Kinderganten on Monday. My 2 year old is going to be Homeschooled, he has severe all nuts allegry amongst other food allergies and here were we live they dont have no-nuts policies.
I am nervous about Homeschooling but with God's guidance I will be able to do it, I found some local support groups so when the time comes it will help.

[rubelin]

I wasn't planning to send DS2 because he's rather introverted and gets plenty of social interaction when we hang out at DS1's school. But, I am a newly-single momma who needs to support myself financially and my mom has offered to pay for him to attend the local pre-school that's run by the city's rec. dept. (which I attended and my mom taqught for 20 years). It's 3 or 4 days a week for 3 hours and he'll have fun and it will hopefully give me enough free working hours that I won't need to get a full-time WOH job and put him in full-time day care.