2 1/2 Son About to Go School...

I'm in the same boat. He just started & because he's in such a good & small preschool, he gets tons of individual attention. Keep teaching him though, he needs to learn. But when he sees others, he'll want to do it too. My son is very attached too & I have been very fortunate to have spent the first eek with him there. You may want to try to find a program that allows you to do this too to ease him into school. We like Appleblossom & Wren's Nest Preschools.

I think preschool would be great for your son! sounds like he is an only child and seeing the other children eat would be just what he needs! He'll be feeding himself after a short time and hanging up his little jacket on a little hook and feeling SO proud of himself!! This is a perfect age for him to be with other children and caring adults and understand Mommy will come back for him at the end of the school day. We can provide a lot for our kids but one thing we cannot be is their friends instead of their parents and they need to spend time with peers. It may be a difficult transition but he'll love it when he gets used to it.

He will learn to eat with the other children. Lots of children are in daycare at this age. I was. Mine were and so were my grandchildren.
R.- have a second child so you can become a more relaxed mom. Really if you love your child(ren) discipline without hitting, ( breaks their courage to hit them and their trust) build up their self-esteem and confidence with caring words: children grow up healthy and strong.

He will be fine. I just put my 2yr old daughter in daycare a few mornings a week after being with her 24/7 since birth. We do not have family near so there was never even a babysitter. The transition took a few days (crying when I dropped her off) now she LOVES it. She asks to go on days we don't. I was very concerned about similar issues as you but she is MUCH more independant when shes at school. I was also concerned that I had to go with a franchise childcare center instead of the ones I really like. But I visited and being a previous childcare center employee (13 yrs ago) I knew what to look for as far as safety goes. All is well and my baby couldn't be happier..or I for all the free sanity time!. I'm sure your son will thrive.

Leaving your child in the care of others for the first time is really difficult at any age, but rest assured that your son will be fine. He will likely eat on his own, sleep on his own and even eat and drink things that he would never eat or drink at home! I sent my first son to daycare at around 15 months and at that time he was an incredibly picky eater, would only drink milk from a bottle and wouldn't nap unless I drove him around. Within two weeks of being at the school he was eating more foods than ever and he was on a regular nap schedule. Just make sure to express your concerns to the school teacher and see if you can work together to get him doing things for himself, etc. People send their kids to daycare at 6 weeks of age here because of the lousy maternity leave so usually daycares are used to working with kids of all ages and getting them to learn the basics, etc. In fact, you might have more problems with him going to school than he will! Don't worry, though - after the first few times you'll get used to it!

I think that he will pick it up really fast at school. I have an in home daycare and with my children and the children in my care, they start eating on their own after they turn one. Even the children that are not used to doing this in their own home, learn quickly. Also, the person taking care of your child should have enough experience with children if he should have any problems (which he won't).

I don't think your boy will starve. I think he will make friends with other children, and he will do what they do when it comes to eating. Children are amazingly adaptable. If there happens to be any problem, you can be sure that the teacher will let you know.

Starting any sort of school is, I think, as big a thing for the mother as it is for the child! Look at this as a good opportunity for him, one that he will be delighted to come home and tell you about.

If you are planning on sending your child to child care then just talk with the Director and tell her the same thing you said here. They can work with him at the table during meals, he will have other kids there to be role models to him and he will pick it up very quickly.

You don't have to explain yourself to us! Don't worry, when he is at a table with other children, he will do what they do! I think he'll be just fine! If he struggles a bit at first he will get the help he needs there. Don't feel like you can't talk to his teachers about it, they will help, that's what they're there for! Tell them your concerns. Good Luck!

My kids started preschool early and as a result, did just fine with socialization and learing things from other kids.
Right now your son only knows what you and he do together which is perfectly fine, but I think it's okay for him to know that he can get along just fine in other environments.

Just my opinion.