Excessive Preschool?

lmao!!!!!! danielle hit the nail on the head AS ALWAYS!!!!! now my son has been in daycare since six weeks old and i almost died when he had to take a nine month break!!! school is not going to start soon enough. don't know why you waited so long to put them in school. and it;s ok to feel the way you do most mothers feel that way but they won't admit it on mamapedia. ( oh no not me, i love when my child acts a fool all day at home and in public, lalalalalala) yeah right. good luck having that baby!

No, it is not excessive. They will be tired but they will get to interract, socialize, learn and they probably enjoy it more with their own peers than being home with sick mamma :-)) I felt that way when I put my child in preschool and he went for all day 5 days per week, so mornings alone is not at all that bad.

Read all the posts in the last couple of weeks about kids having a hard time transitioning to kindergarten and 1st grade. Your kids probably won't have these transitions.

I also think it's FABULOUS for them to begin to have their OWN lives. If you read the posts on sibling rivalry the best advice is always "reduce fighting by getting your older kids involved in activities that DON'T include the younger ones. They feel more like "big kids" and less like their lives have been invaded by whiny-pouty-babies"!!!!!!!!

Re-frame your perspective..... it's not I want this because "I am sick, tired and find it hard to get off the couch". This decision benefits your kids. ie "my kids get to go play and learn 5 days each week in a structured environment that will begin to prepare them for school!!!!"

See what GREAT things you are doing for your children!!!!!!

Good luck with the new baby :-)

My kids went 5 days a week, full days, and they loved it. I think preschool prepared them really well for Kindergarten. They are now in 1st and 3rd grades and get straight A's and make friends easily - so going to preschool every day certainly didn't scar them for life or anything!

Don't worry about it. Your kids will do great! Take care of yourself!

I think preschool is awesome and my kids went to full day preschool for 2 years before starting kindergarten. Only you can decide what is working for you.

Hi J.,

Preschool asks a lot of children, but there are usually good guidelines in place for kids so that it's not too much. You may experience some tiredness and regressive behaviors and that can be attributed to the fact that they are learning so much in some areas, others become less important to them. Toileting is a common one--too busy at school to stop and use the bathroom. What I want to point out is that, if you see regression and tiredness, don't chalk it up to their being unhappy at preschool. They're just getting used to this (and don't they get tired and regressive at home sometimes anyways!) .

One other thing I'd suggest is making sure your little ones are getting a good chunk of time alone after school on your short days. Try to get shopping, errands done before picking them up, and plan on their being emotionally unpredictable. I advise families at my preschool to give the children plenty of downtime after school. This could be a short nap, books on the bed sort of 'quiet time' or unstructured playtime, where each child can play alone in their own space for a while. There's a lot of social work that's required of being in the group at preschool, so this time can make one's afternoon much better than heading out to another activity/playdate, etc. Earlier bedtimes can help the morning routine, too, if you are having trouble getting out the door. Lots of rest in general is good for kids this age; they need anywhere from 9-12 hours of sleep.

Best wishes on your family's plans. For what it's worth, I stopped nannying about 4 months into my pregnancy, so I understand just how tiring it is. Don't feel guilty and get some rest!

Best,
H.

My then four yr old son (now 5 and staring Kindergarten) spend Monday through Thursday in ALL DAY preschool, which lasted from October 2009 until August 2010. This came at such an ideal time, as I had just found out I was pregnant and sick and exhausted EVERY SINGLE DAY through the first and second trimester. I guess I wasn't so much concerned with how much time he would have to spend out of the house because I realized that if he had been home with me, he would've been lacking ANY structure or fun because of the state of my not feeling well. That poor kid watched me vomit more time in the morning that I care to remeber (before leaving for school) and even got to the point where he would sit and rub my head and offer me sips of water from his sippy cup. He would've had SUCH a horrible time at home with me. Cut yourself some slack and maybe try to catch a nap while they're at school. Just remember to set an alarm....I forgot once and nearly slept through pick up time LOL.

EDITED---Kim is so off the mark! I can't believe the gall of some folks....Hey, Kim, she didn't ask you if you thought it was a good idea to get pregnant, she was asking you about her option for preschool. I think comments like yours are completely unnecessary!

A moms got to do what a moms' got to do. Don't feel guilty.

good for you and your little ones that they are going to pre-school. Get all the rest you can you.

Yes its okay.

My daughter, started preschool, just after I had my 2nd child.
It will be good, that the older children are in Preschool... it will be THEIR time away, from baby too, to have interaction with kids their own ages. It is positive.
My daughter LOVED going to Preschool, when I had my 2nd child.

all the best,
Susan

I remember how hard that first trimester was! Personally, I think preschool can be a great opportunity for socialization. You will know if it's too much for your kids. Give it a try and see how they do there. You could always switch if it's too much, but you might be surprised.

I think if it's only mornings 4 days a week that's not excessive. They'll be fine. Any indication they don't like it?

Hi J., If they like it and they are learning, and it sounds like they are together, I see no harm. J.

I would say it depends on what is all involved at the preschool. Is it more of a daycare setting with nap/rest time and play time along with the teaching side, or is it more of a school setting? It may be too much if it's more of a school setting (at least for the 3 year old), but you know your children best and some are ready earlier than others.

Yes I think its excessive. Remember that the first trimester is the worst and things perk up in a few weeks. Kids often struggle with jealousy and being "sent off" to school because of the new baby (even though its not born yet) can cause a strain in your relationship with them. My oldest was very afraid that I would not be able to take care of her once the baby arrived.

The best thing is that you have a 3 and 4 year old, so they can play together.

Hang in there, it does get better!

Your children will be the guage for whether or not they are doing too much preschool. Three of my children could not get enough of preschool. My second child was more of a home body. They will give you clues as long as your are tuned in to their signals.

Hi J.. I wouldn't sweat it. 4 mornings a week and one full day seems more then reasonable to me. They still get a lot of family time and the experience of socializing with other children. Pat yourself on the back you are doing a good thing :)

Both our grandkids we are raising started Head Start at 3 years old and went from 8am to 2 pm. This is the regular hours, 5 days a week. I think it's silly to drop off a child and pick them up an hour or two later. They don't even have time to adjust to being there and learn anything. I think you are doing fine.

well i guess if you have no one to help in family than i guess thats your choice. I believe for a 3 year old its a waste of money because the three year old will have to take preschool two years so thats more money out of your pocket. To me it sounds like your overwelmed and can't handle the load why did you get pregnant with another. If you can't handle having two home with your pregnancy. I feel the 4 year old should go but not both. Besides think of it there going for two hrs a day except for friday. by the time you drop them off and get back home you will have to turn around and go back. So your gonna be busier than you think.

Is there nobody who can help you at home? I think that would be so much more preferable to sending them away everyday. I do so feel for you. That first trimester is so difficult. I remember feeling like I would be feeling that way forever. It really doesn't last forever. Besides, can't the 3 and 4 year old help you entertain the baby? You can give them little activities to do, like coloring or puzzles. Do you have a church with young ladies who would be willing to come over a couple of times a week to help you? You could pay one of them what you are paying the preschool to help you at home. And, they would probably even help with dinner and other household duties.