re: SAHM's... starting preschool

Quoting Mama*AtoZ:" What were your reasons for home schooling? I can't fully agree about respecting her wanting to go and ... [snip!] ... that age. The decision may be more reversible where you are though, so i can see that changing my opinion but only slightly. "

We are doing part time, 2 afternoons a week for 2 1/2-3 hours, not several hours every day. Also, I just don't think that school is as harmful as you think that it is. It all depends on the child's personality and learning style. If we choose a school that matches her personality and learning style, along with our parenting style (Reggio schools do not use punishments, for example), it will not be an issue, especially for only a few hours per week.


I think that we have very different views of how in control of their lives our kids should be. Probably based on spending time with our individual kids and knowing them each very well. I think A does understand, we talk about school, we role play "school" a lot, she pretends to go to school every day. She watches shows about school, etc.

I let her have the reigns in every possible area and she does extremely well with control of her life. I feel that I am respecting her by not only letting her choose her successes, but also letting her make her own mistakes. If school is a mistake for her, then she will know firsthand. But I won't take away a safe opportunity she wants to take just because I have decided it is not right for her, that is not my place. I think that would build resentment in our relationship.

Quoting Chim Richalds:" I've never left my daughter before and she will be starting preschool this fall (yes, I'm already fretting ... [snip!] ... YOU? Did it get easier after the first couple times? It seems so scary to imagine just leaving her somewhere and going home."

I am in the same boat as you. My daughter will start preschool this fall. I've never left her and the thought scares me a lot. I've only left her with family. Luckily, we'll both be able to adjust because the hours of preschool are only 3 hours. That'll give the LO's a chance to adjust and us as moms time before they enter kindergarten. I think it's scary for every mom, leaving their kids for the first time..

Anthony is in preschool. I feel great about it because I truly trust his teachers and can really see the love they have for him. During the week of Christmas, he didn't go and he asked about it and said "I hope Miss Kelly is having a Happy Christmas. She's sooo nice to me." and today when he was sick they called me and when I got there she was reading the whole class a book but had him snuggled up in her lap. They are really good to him. You just have to find somewhere you feel good about. Being a group therapist but working in an agency designed to be a preschool since I work with kids, I see the good and the bad. Numerous people in the agency have commented on how silly and happy the kids in my room are, I truly like them they are fun little people. Other rooms the kids cry way too frequently and seem overwhelmed.

ETA: He only goes 2 days a week but he does go for full days.

Quoting Anthony's Mommy ♥:" Anthony is in preschool. I feel great about it because I truly trust his teachers and can really see ... [snip!] ... rooms the kids cry way too frequently and seem overwhelmed. ETA: He only goes 2 days a week but he does go for full days."

I know if I look around hard enough, I can find a place like that. That must be so comforting for you. I think it will be easy at the right place...

How're things going? I never heard an update but I've been praying  .

Quoting Chim Richalds:" I know if I look around hard enough, I can find a place like that. That must be so comforting for you. ... [snip!] ... for you. I think it will be easy at the right place... How're things going? I never heard an update but I've been praying  ."

You'll find something that will be the right fit for your family. We checked out so many places and it just felt like the right fit as soon as we did the first tour.

Not well   they went through with it. We haven't seen him since November.

Quoting Chim Richalds:" We are doing part time, 2 afternoons a week for 2 1/2-3 hours, not several hours every day. Also, I ... [snip!] ... because I have decided it is not right for her, that is not my place. I think that would build resentment in our relationship."

I'm talking about the long term effects of formal education, not whether she feels happy or not during class. That's why i asked about what your reasons for home schooling in the first place were, if they were broader reasons or just how she would feel in class etc. I know some people home school because they want to control everything or because they want to focus on religious teaching or because their kids just aren't ready to be separated for long periods, and then others like me with thinking along the lines of John Holt type stuff. With the latter a young child wouldn't be able to make a choice themselves as they simply cannot have the understanding or insight yet to know what is best for them long term.

Also, when i type school that means primary school plus here, not what we call nursery (age 3-4). Here once you enter the education system you can't just opt out when you feel like it, so that's an additional consideration.

Quoting Mama*AtoZ:" I'm talking about the long term effects of formal education, not whether she feels happy or not during ... [snip!] ... Here once you enter the education system you can't just opt out when you feel like it, so that's an additional consideration."

That is really weird   We can pull our kids out whenever for whatever reason we choose. What is the reasoning for not allowing that?

Quoting Chim Richalds:" That is really weird   We can pull our kids out whenever for whatever reason we choose. What is the reasoning for not allowing that?"

Yup it's abit scary imo, i don't think the state should have that sort of control. Here the default (although most people don't know it) is that it is the parents responsibility to educate their child, if they choose to share/hand over that responsibility to a school then they must request to withdraw it. The government then considers the request and will often want written reports and meetings with the parents before agreeing or not. They are trying to make the laws stricter aswel, but there are some members of government that are backing the rights to home educate.

Quoting Mama*AtoZ:" Yup it's abit scary imo, i don't think the state should have that sort of control. Here the default ... [snip!] ... trying to make the laws stricter aswel, but there are some members of government that are backing the rights to home educate. "

How intrusive...I think in some states here, you have to apply for approval to homeschool...but I don't think they ever actually deny. Not in my state though.