Go Forth And Thrive. Or Just Go, Whatever.
School for my older two starts on the 16th, and I'm just about beside myself with indecision about how to feel.
I'm dreading the early wake-up and chaotic mornings. I'm looking forward to the relative peace. I'm dreading the homework, the lunches to pack, the fundraisers. I'm looking forward to the chance to have a few moments of solitude. It goes a little something like this:
Busy! Busy busy busy busy!
aaaaaaah.
*crickets chirping*
Busy! Busy busy busy busy!
See, my 3 1/2 year old is going to start preschool this year. Three mornings a week, for 2 1/2 hours.
I am so excited I just piddled.
This is the first time in 8 years that I will have a regular break from childrearing activities. I've never used a sitter, never had a mother's helper, left the kids overnight only in cases of giving birth (doesn't count) or for a rare weekend away with friends. My husband and I haven't ever vacationed alone since they arrived.
See! Piddling again!
This is all well and good, but a few days ago, we got the schedule for the preschool, and it noted that they had changed their sessions. 3 year olds must have a parent attend their session, and it only lasted 45 minutes.
THE HELL?
I tried to work my brain around it. Well, she has two more years before kindergarten. No need to rush her out the door. I can hang in there until January. We can just do some play classes, music, dance, that sort of thing.
Oh, I put on a brave face, but my inner voice was saying (*^*&%*&@^(*)*@^&*&*!!!!! about the whole thing.
And then I read the pamphlet again, and I was mistaken. They still have the regular session, and I can enroll my daughter.
Insert a big whooshing sigh of relief right here. I feel like there should be an actual end to this story, but I think I covered it. The end.
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Comments
We plan to homeschool (since the schools in our area are crap) but there are moments when I think about the kids being away for the day at school and the place being quiet and I try to see if maybe we can find a way to pay for private school. Or move. AGHHHH!
Posted by: Elaine | August 7, 2006 4:38 PM
Wow, you deserve a break. (And a vacation!) I hope preschool is a great experience for the both of you.
Posted by: surcie | August 7, 2006 4:58 PM
Did you write this about me?! My 3.5 y/o will also attend the 4 days, 2.5 hrs preschool in Sept as well. I know, they start school here way too late!
Although my oldest son will be in a full day 1st grade (I know, they're growing up too fast!) this year. But my preschooler will be home with me (instead of a 3 full day at the local day care currently) AND not to mention, my 17 month old will be with me full time. YIKES!!!
Posted by: Waya | August 7, 2006 5:56 PM
I am chomping at the bit for school to begin. I left my budding career as a Paramedic when I became pregnant with DD#1 back in 1998. Before the child had been weaned, I was already pregnant with DD#2. We lost DD#3 in my 2nd trimester, but I got pregnant again in 2002. I've been home all that time and thought I was all dried up. This year, my three year old will be in preschool (four hours a day, five days a week), DD#@ will be in Kindergarten and DD#1 will be a 2nd grader. I'm going back to school! Woo-hoo!
I'm so WITH YOU!!
Posted by: Erin (erin-erin-bo-berin) | August 7, 2006 6:03 PM
Well, I am that pre-school teacher taking your children off your hands. And my kids start school on the 15th. But since both of mine are in school, and I work those short pre-school days only three days a week (our school is 5 hours two days a week), I got "my" time back on Mondays and Fridays. Let me tell ya, it is wonderful. It makes me feel like a person again!
Posted by: Jenny A | August 7, 2006 8:47 PM
I would have had a mini-heart attack if I'd misread a pamphlet like that. I'm pretty pumped that my just-turned-4-year-old will be going to a preschool 3 days a week this year. AND 2 of the days are drop-off days...for 2 1/2 hours.
Now, I love my daughter. But sometimes absence really does make the heart grow fonder.
Posted by: Heather | August 7, 2006 9:15 PM
I homeschool, and a LOT of homeschooling parents would lynch me for saying it, but I can DEFINITELY understand your need to have time away from the kids. Doing all I do in a day and still having them jumping on my head leaves me wanting to either send them away or plug them into the TV! *shudder twitch*
I feel for you, and I'm glad it has worked out for the both of you. Here's hoping it's as enjoyable as you look forward to it being. *smile*
Posted by: Whimspiration | August 7, 2006 10:35 PM
School starts at age 3 in France and it lasts all day. Then, for working parents, there is a play group til 7pm.
In fact, when I used to pick up my kids in the evening, they would look at me, shrug their shoulders in disgust and tell me 5 more minutes mom, I haven't finished my drawing.
Evenings were hell on wheels but that's life here.
Posted by: Jennifer | August 8, 2006 7:05 AM
Are you ready for a new adventure?
Cas
enjoy your free time.
Posted by: cassie-b | August 8, 2006 7:08 AM
Wow ... you are an amazing woman. Congratulations on throwing your entire heart and soul into your family, and MAJOR felicitations on getting all of the little ones out of the house. It is time for you to experience that break! I look forward to reading about the youngest child's adventures with new friends, her teacher, and any other aspects of preschool that she shares and you pass on to us. Your babies are growing wings ... how wonderful.
Posted by: Amanda Marlaena | August 8, 2006 7:23 AM
Well, my kiddos all head back to school next week too! And, yes, I've piddled a few times myself just thinking about it! While the oldest will be in 1st grade and my middle child will be in 3/4 year old preschool 2 days a week from 9-2:30, my youngest, the only mama's child we have, is starting MDO 1 day a week from 9-2:30. I can hardly wait!!!!! I'm not going to know what to do with myself, all by myself, for one whole day a week!!! But, I can guarantee "Nap" is on the list :)
Posted by: Jennifer | August 8, 2006 3:06 PM
Wait, AUGUST 16??? I am so jealous. It's not until almost SEPTEMBER 16 that my kids return to school -- and for the first time my youngest will be in the preschool session that A) does not require my presence two or three times a month and B) runs until 2:30. Previously he's gone from about 9 to 12:45, and that was heaven compared to the 9:30 to 11:30 of the year before. I am so thrilled that I'm going to have a whole five and a half hours instead of three and a half hours to get things done kid-free!
Posted by: Andi | August 8, 2006 3:10 PM
I was very relieved by the end of this story. Girl, you need some free time. Hooray.
P.S. Mother's helpers rock.
Posted by: kathryn, dym | August 8, 2006 9:01 PM