Hi, I have a daughter with SPD who will be 4 years old soon. She is currently in preschool for half days, 5 days/week, while I am home full-time with my baby who is almost 6 months old. I am planning to be a stay-at-home mom for an indefinite amount of time before returning to my career. Previously, my daughter was in preschool full-time while I worked, but I switched her to half-days when I became a (temporary) stay-at-home mom after my second child was born.
Now I am considering taking her out of preschool and keeping her home with me and baby all day. I'm considering this for two reasons, 1) we are really struggling with the cost, and 2) I wonder if it might be better for her to be home with me, IF circumstances were different than they are now.
However, I'm not sure I should take her out of preschool because the way things are now, our days do NOT usually go well in the afternoons when she is home with me. She has extremely high energy, both sensory-seeking and sensory-avoiding SPD, and anxiety, and behavior problems caused by the other issues. It is hard for her to deal with all the time I must spend nursing the baby, trying to get the baby to sleep, etc.... I am having trouble keeping her entertained while meeting the baby's needs quickly and responsively. I cannot seem to pay enough attention to both, and things are not ideal... it's hard to get the baby to sleep with my other noisy/energetic child around, my older daughter does not get enough attention, not enough interaction with other kids, and too much TV. Neither of them gets enough outdoor time. I try to do some outings, but they are pretty exhausting, and the baby does not sleep well when we are out and about (falls asleep in car, wakes up when we stop, then is overly tired). I have been overly tired and irritable lately too.
Basically, I cannot figure out how to manage my day with a high-needs preschooler and a 6-month old baby. Sometimes I feel like I should have my older daughter home with me all day too, but not with how things are now. Even if I keep her in preschool for half-days, I need to change how our afternoons are going.
Any suggestions, input, or words of wisdom???
Thanks!!
Now I am considering taking her out of preschool and keeping her home with me and baby all day. I'm considering this for two reasons, 1) we are really struggling with the cost, and 2) I wonder if it might be better for her to be home with me, IF circumstances were different than they are now.
However, I'm not sure I should take her out of preschool because the way things are now, our days do NOT usually go well in the afternoons when she is home with me. She has extremely high energy, both sensory-seeking and sensory-avoiding SPD, and anxiety, and behavior problems caused by the other issues. It is hard for her to deal with all the time I must spend nursing the baby, trying to get the baby to sleep, etc.... I am having trouble keeping her entertained while meeting the baby's needs quickly and responsively. I cannot seem to pay enough attention to both, and things are not ideal... it's hard to get the baby to sleep with my other noisy/energetic child around, my older daughter does not get enough attention, not enough interaction with other kids, and too much TV. Neither of them gets enough outdoor time. I try to do some outings, but they are pretty exhausting, and the baby does not sleep well when we are out and about (falls asleep in car, wakes up when we stop, then is overly tired). I have been overly tired and irritable lately too.
Basically, I cannot figure out how to manage my day with a high-needs preschooler and a 6-month old baby. Sometimes I feel like I should have my older daughter home with me all day too, but not with how things are now. Even if I keep her in preschool for half-days, I need to change how our afternoons are going.
Any suggestions, input, or words of wisdom???
Thanks!!