Am I wrong??

[lisarae]

I have to start off by saying that I am crying as I type this.

My son is 3 years on will be 4 the 15th of Feb. All of my friends and family say I should send him to preschool, "it'll be good for the both of you". Here its 4 days a week, 8a-3p. I think thats a long time to send a 3 year old away. Well I first called about it and it was gonna cost $225 a month to send him, unless you made under certain amount of money. (Which all of my friends and family who sent there children qualified for). We could pay it but I dont thing that its fair that I have to pay for something like that, that everyone else gets for free. But they also said that if he has any speech impairment that it would be waived, but only after a few paid months. He has a little trouble with "L's", and a few other ones, every now and then, depending on the word. But anyway, Ive decided not to send him to that.
Now a friend of mine is opening a preschool/day care on Monday. She told me to give her a call if interested. She knows how I feel about it, cause she was the same way with her kids. She said that I can send him 2-3 days a week for 4 hours at $11 a day. Which I know is great. But I still don't want to do without him. I will send him next year, I do think thats old enough. I never went to preschool or headstart, and I turned out fine. He will spend the next 14+ years of his life in school, what is this one year?
Plus I will be having my 2nd child in December, which means getting him/her out in the cold early in the morning, and getting the baby in and out to run him into the school. Which both of the preschools are 25 minutes away from here anyway. Then get the baby back out a little while later to pick him up. Thats almost 2 hours driving a day just to send him to school..

Please I need help, No one is changing my mind about sending him but I wanna know others imputs. TIA

[ocvachick]

I think you are doing the right thing. 3 is just too young to go to school when all of those years of school is looking them in the face at the age of 5.

I have friends who opt either way, but I just feel like its too young. They are still babies at that time.

Just my 2 cents worth.

[jaybird]

Children are in an all day, organized, disciplined learning environment for a very long time, at least 13 years, plus 4 or more for college. I have run a daycare for almost 23 years now. And some parents (at age 3 or 4) opt for a 2 or 3 day a week program (usually half day, mornings) VERY few, maybe 15% of my parents have EVER gone the all day 'preschool.' And I have cared for a LOT of teachers' children over the years. Probably more than a dozen. I have learned by my own children (that never spent a day in preschool and were very well-adjusted and academically advanced) and from teachers that they can tell little to NO difference in the children that went to preschool. I have 3 close friends of 20 years that teaches kindergarten, first grade and second grade. Trust me, your child will not suffer, will not be developmentally stunted or dumber than the other kids if you keep him home with you. You have so little time with them before they begin school anyway, why rush it?

I WILL say, however, that it is important that he has time (regularly, at his age) to be away from you and to interact with other kids. For social development.

Don't let others tell you how to raise your children. You do what is best for you and your children. They will be fine whatever you decide.

[Dolly<3]

I think kid's are incredibly resilient, and will turn out fine either way. I would keep my kids with me at that age, but if I HAD to take them somewhere while I was at work, that's fine too. You're lucky you can keep him with you, and I would take advantage of it! :)

[ckerr4]

Aww, don't cry about it! {{{lisarae}}}

Do what you think is best for your child and your family. That simple.

[Quaker_Parrots]

wait a year. he isn't going to be able to start kindergarten next year anyway with his birthday being in February(or at least that is how it is here-- your 5th birthday has to occur before december 1st of that school year, or they won't register you)

I agree, he is too young to start especially for a full day.

[tiffany21]

you are right 3 is too young both my kids went to preschool at 4 and then into school

[Lioncub]

I sent all 4 of my kids at age 2 for half day 2 days a week and they all turned out just fine

[MommyG3]

If you feel that you need more time with your son, keep him home one more year. As for the speech, work with him. When he says a word incorrectly, tell him, "that was good" and repeat the word correctly as to not be too negative. My son was the same way and we had him saying all his words correctly by the age of 4. He never had speech.

[Willow]

My son went to preschool for a full day five days a week from three to four. I was working at the time and I felt he would benefit more from being in a preschool then a daycare program. He didn't have any kids his age in the area to socialize with so it was good for him to be with kids his age. You have to decide what is right for you and your son. I have an older daughter who never went to preschool. She went right into kindergarten when she was 5 years old. I kind of wish she had gone to preschool because she had a hard time in kindergarten. She didn't like to share and she never wanted to do things as a group because she was so used to playing by herself and not having to share. As the others have said it has to be a personal decision. Don't let anyone else tell you what is right for your child because you are the only one that knows that.

[FreeIs4Me]

My daughter will be 4 in a couple of weeks & she is just started preschool this week. She was in a private daycare setting with children much younger than her during the day & other kids who were 9 & 10 year olds who only went after school. Now she is in with peers her age. Just in this first week, I have seen a tremendous difference in her for the better! She goes full day for 4 days per week because I do not work mothers hours! :( They are open from 7:15 - 5:00 with "classes" running from 8:00 - 4:00. They do get naptime there so it is not like she is on a go-go-go-go-go schedule for the whole day.

Her birthday is the school registration cut off day so I am just going to take this school year one day at a time. If I feel that she is ready, I will advance her to kiddiegarten. If she is not emotionally ready, I will keep her in preschool for another year!! I feel every child is different, so you have to take your cue of what to do from them don't just follow in the "everyone else does, so I have to to" thing.


By the way - don't complain about $225 per MONTH - around here, preschools start at minimum of $100.00 per WEEK!!

[julie_angel]

You are his Momma. You do what you feel in your heart is right. When my son was 4, he was very smart, could read and knew his letters and numbers, I let people talk me into letting him start kindergarten early. I feel it was a mistake. So no matter what others say, it really is up to you. Do what you want, and everyone else will get over it, and you won't have anything to regret. {{{{hugs}}}}}

[Wimzik]

Do what you feel is right, my twins didn't go to preschool until they were 4, at the age of 3 they were with me 24/7, and they have never had a problem with social interaction.

I wouldn't worry to much about your son having trouble with the 'L' sound, my son is 6 and he is just starting to say the 'L' sound, he has been tested several times since he was 4, and they have always told me that he doesn't have a speech problem MANY children have trouble with the 'L' sound, and some just pick it up later than others.
If it will make you feel better, you can look for a Child Developmental Center in your area and have a free screening done and they will check his speech.:)

[mamalamas]

I agree with Jaybird too. Why rush it? My DOT will be 5 in January. She does not go to kindergarten until next year. I recently checked into some pre-schools in my area. Although they were a little steep...up to $600 a month! I decided to keep her home until next year. It is not the money, she will be in school for a long time...I want to enjoy having her at home with me for a little bit longer. Some people ask me why she is not in pre-school. I don't think it is anybody elses business how you raise your child. Don't let ppl upset you. Do what is right for you and what is right for your child!

[zitra]

I think it depends on the child. Here pre-k starts at 3, and also 4 year olds (all in the samew class), and it is a half day and FREE!! It is at the grade school, it is paid for by the state, we only have to provide a weeks worth of snacks once a month. My son loved pre-k and learned a lot. Pre-k runs from 8-11:45, and then they have another class from 12-3...So there is acutally 2 years of pre-k for most students..and if one year you went in the morning, the next year you woudl go in the afternoon, so the kids can get used to being in school differnt times of the day, and then there is all day kindergarten when they turn 5.

Both of my nieces went to pre-k at 3 also, and the oldest starts 1st. grade this year..from the people workign with her in pre-k, kindergarten, and her dad workign with her at home, she is already reading, and writing a bit of cursive, her little sister who will be in Kindergarten even learned to read a bit from her dad, adn sister helping, and the teacher's in pre-k (BUT there are 3 teachers in pre-k to help).

I think the early pre-k also helped with their socialization...my kids' would not have been able to go to pre-k if we had to pay as much as you would for it. But we have such a good program, and one of the only free school based pre-k's in the area..that at kids from at least 4 differnt surrounding cities are bussed here for the pre-k program..a lot of these kids ONLY come here for the pre-k, and then go to grade school in their own city.

[zitra]

Originally posted by Patchouli
My son went to preschool for a full day five days a week from three to four. I was working at the time and I felt he would benefit more from being in a preschool then a daycare program. He didn't have any kids his age in the area to socialize with so it was good for him to be with kids his age. You have to decide what is right for you and your son. I have an older daughter who never went to preschool. She went right into kindergarten when she was 5 years old. I kind of wish she had gone to preschool because she had a hard time in kindergarten. She didn't like to share and she never wanted to do things as a group because she was so used to playing by herself and not having to share. As the others have said it has to be a personal decision. Don't let anyone else tell you what is right for your child because you are the only one that knows that.

I agree, my older son only went to pre-k for 1/2 year, as opposed to my younger son who went at ages 3, and age 4, and my younger son is, and was much more social..my older son had a hard time with sharing, and socialization skills that my younger son, and does a little to this day..I really think if he had been in pre-k longer he would have done better..this mixed with the fact that hubby wasin the navy and he had very little social zation with other kids.

[Willow]

Originally posted by zitra
I agree, my older son only went to pre-k for 1/2 year, as opposed to my younger son who went at ages 3, and age 4, and my younger son is, and was much more social..my older son had a hard time with sharing, and socialization skills that my younger son, and does a little to this day..I really think if he had been in pre-k longer he would have done better..this mixed with the fact that hubby wasin the navy and he had very little social zation with other kids.

Socialization was the main reason my son went to preschool. That and the fact that I was working. There weren't and still aren't any kids his age to play with in the neighborhood. It was good for him to have that interaction.

[Lora_1994]

I've thought about putting my son into pre-school...he's 4. But he's still my baby in my eyes and I think I'm going to keep him home until I absolutely HAVE to put him into school. I can teach him the basics here at home, he knows his colors, shapes,counting, opposites, etc. All I've got to teach him is writing. He's a very intelligent child and he will catch on easily. So I do believe he's going to stay home with me. I also believe they are in school much of their growing up years, why rush them into going to school??? Its nobody's business whether your child does or doesnt go to school. Enjoy your time with them and dont rush them growing up!!!!!

[sweet~n~sassy]

my daughter just turned 3 on July 30 and I am considering putting her in preschool. her big sister started school last year and my youngest has wanted to go to her own school so bad, it is all she asks for and she tells everyone she is going to her own school. of course, she would only be gone for several hours, 2 or 3 times a week. my oldest never went to preschool, i have my own home daycare, so we would spend a few hours a day doing our own preschool activities, which worked out great with her, but that is not what my youngest wants to do.

my hubby is in the mideast right now and he and i have talked about sending our youngest to preschool, he says if she wants to go then let her. i know it would be really good for both of us, she would have the opportunity to be away from mommy for a while, and i could have a few hours of peace and quiet :) and she would have to be able to interact with other kids her age, because she does not get that at home, all her friends are at least 3 years older than her, so she needs to be around younger kids.

[Gumball1960]

Wow! After seeing the rates everyone else is getting charged for Preschool, the $70 a month I would be paying doesn't seem so bad now. I still haven't decided if I'll send my DD this year or not, but probably not. They did say she had to be completely potty trained before they would take her and I'm working on that yet. There is an Open House for the school I'm considering tomorrow night and I may go to that anyway, just to see what it would be like. Would a preschool take a child part way into the school year if I have to wait until she's fully trained? The $70 a month doesn't cover the enrollment fee of $25 or the cost of the treats for the class once a month, plus other stuff. Money's tight right now but she has nobody near us to play with and really needs to make some friends. This is for the 3 day program, $55 a month covers the 2 day program. :rolleyes:

[cch]

I HAD to send my son (4 years old at the time) last year to a special school for speech therapy, it was only 2 times a week for 3 hours a day, but it was horrible. He wasn't ready to leave me and I had to carry him to the bus screaming and fighting me. But, if he hadn't gotten the therapy he needed he wouldn't have got to start Kindergarten this year. Hopefully things will go smoother this year.

Now my youngest daughter (4 years old now) is ready to start Pre-school. It's 5 days a week 8am - 3pm. I wasn't going to send her, but she begged, so I signed her up. Unfortunately for this school there isn't a bus route so I'll have to take her and drop her off (only 5 minutes from home), so I'll take and pick up my other children from school at the same time.

I sent my oldest daughter to Head-Start (Mon - Thurs 8am - 11am) when she was 3 and she liked it, but my Husband's Grandmother who married a convicted child molestor and doesn't associate with her family worked there and kept making my daughter call her Grandma and give her hugs and kisses so I pulled her out less than half way thru the year. So when she was 4 I took her to Pre-school and she LOVED it. The only disadvantage was she was OVER ready for Kindergarten and got really bored really quick.

Every child is different, as is every school. When your child is ready you'll know, just follow your "Mommy's instincts" you guys will be fine.