Need Some Moms Input
I love that my mother watches MM everyday for us. I cannot think of a better setup for her. All day she gets one-on-one time with both my parents, grandmother, and cousins. She is doted on and loved on and taken exciting places. I feel so blessed (and at ease) knowing that she is being cared for by some of the people who love her the very most.
The only downside is that she’s not around many kids her own age. And I’ve been thinking of putting her in preschool next year starting in September ’10. It would be two days a week for four hours (9 to 1). She would be 20 months then and in the 18-23 months class.
So, Moms, what do you think? And for the stay-at-home moms or the moms that have family who watch your child, when did your child start preschool? Is two days too much at that age? Is 20 months too young?
Thoughts and comments are much appreciated!
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20 Responses to “Need Some Moms Input”
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My grandmother watches Parker and Addison for me too. And I felt the same way about social interaction. Parker started going to preschool when he was 17 months and Addison started this year at 15 months. It’s been fantastic for them. Parker, now is three and a half, and is in three days a week, full blown preschool. Addison is 18 months and goes 2 days a week from 9-1. It’s been fantastic for her!
Personally, I think it is young. Could your mom sign up for some play groups? When you start working part time, would you be able to to do play groups?
I did not have my kids in pre-school until they were 5, so I don’t know the benefits that I am sure are there at the earlier age too.
I just tried to find groups such as church groups, MOPS etc, where they would get interaction with other kids their age. Then again, I am not even sure they have a pre-school program for children under 3 in my town, so even if I wanted to send them earlier, I couldn’t. The closest would be me sending them to day care two days a week part time.
Good luck with your decision. It is always so hard to know what is the right thing to do. I am sure the decision you make will be the best for you and your precious girl!
By the way, are you sure your mom is willing to give her up for 4 hours twice a week?
My opinion is that 20 months is too young. I am having a hard time sending Logan next year and he will be 3! I stay home so the boys are always with me. Logan stayed with my mom when I taught, so kind of the same situation. You can do playdates, join MOPS where MM will have time to play with other children.
I don’t want to sound rude or like I am critisizing because what is right for me and my children may not be right for others.
I did SO much research before starting my two. It’s been fantastic for both of them. Parker is very accelerated for his age and I truly believe this is why. Whichever you decide, you are a fantastic Mommy and it will be the right decision for you and MM 
However, I think the above 2 moms are not considering the learning benefits as well. Putting MM in a program allows her expand her vocabulary — Addison already knows so many more words – just from listening to others talk. It assists them in learning to take direction from others (other than you and your mom that she is so familiar with). Also, preschool really should start at 2 — I think children that don’t are a little behind socially. All programs in the state start “big boy/girl” preschool at 2 in order to prepare them for PreK at 4.
Just my opinion
I put all my children in “pre-school” at 4. My daughter, Mia, was an only child for a while and rarely around children her age. I don’t feel like she suffered academically or socially in ANY way. Please don’t buy in to that nonsense. If anything, because she was always around older people, she was much more mature when we enrolled her in 4k ( which was 3 hours a day). No child is any more accelerated because they are simply just around other children. There is nothing that a pre-school can do for her that you aor your Mother couldn’t. If you really want that interaction I would suggest the play dates with other children her age.
I don’t think that 20 months is too young…I don’t have the option to be at SAHM or don’t have a family member who doesn’t still work that can keep Weston. So, Weston is going to a In Home Daycare beginning at 8 weeks. I’m sad about it, and it is young, but I don’t have a choice. As for actual daycare where he is in a larger group setting, I’m going to put him in that kind of preschool at 24 months at the latest. I guess it depends on how things are going where he is at and how I think he is developing, but I definitely don’t think that 20 months is too young! And sad that some people do, because not everyone has the choice and has the ability to keep their kid out of daycare until the age of 20 months, but are they bad parents because they had to take their children to daycare at a young age.
I have been home with my girls since they were born. I do currently work part-time, but it’s flexible and I can do my work from home. We do use a childcare service that matches you with sitters – we have loved this, because we have our “regulars.” We put Maddy and Libby in a parents morning out program when they were 15 months old for 2 days a week. (they are currently almost 17 mos) I wanted them to have the interaction with other children, the education aspect, music, etc. I don’t have many friends with kids their age, so I didn’t have the built in play date circuit. I also needed a few hours to dedicate as “office hours.” They absolutely love it. We also have a couple of Grandmothers who watch their grandchildren that come to the program 1-2 days a week. They have definitely learned many new things (sign language, music, hand movements w/ the songs, etc). Our program is at a nearby church, we knew one of their teachers, and in my opinion, it’s been great for all of us. Best of luck with your decision!
I don’t really have a strong opinion about this, but I do think if you are trying to save money to be a part time SAHM then it probably makes more sense to not enroll her. I don’t think she will suffer. She will also be exposed to many more germs if she goes = lots more sick baby. Nothing worse than a sick baby!
I will support whatever decision you make, however, I agree with Drena, she will pick up many more germs and will be more likely to be sick more often. I guess I just think of you and how you always talked like an adult because you were always around adults. Your vocabulary was amazing! But just remember, I am behind your decision because you always make good ones. I love you!
I think it’s great! I’m considering the same for my girls in the spring and they’ll just be 12 months. It’s only 2 days a week so they’ll still get tons of grandparent time. It’ll be fun for them to make new friends and get exposed to new things. Only downside is the new exposure to germs but that’s bound to come sometime, I suppose. Go for it! I’m on a waiting list so we’ll see what happens.
I don’t think there is a right or wrong decision. Whatever you decide will be perfect!!
Every child is different. My daughter was in play dates and play groups and she started pre-k at 3, she is now in 4th grade and a very bright and straight A student. My son on the other had, is just different, he has always been shy ( even around us ) and the playdates didnt go well with him, he started pre-k at age 4 and is now in Kindergarten and is very bright and a straight A student. But, he still doesnt socialize very much, its just the way he is. My daughter will talk your ear off, while he likes to sit and soak it all in, I dont believe taking kids here and there and doing earlier makes a different. They are all differnet, you just have to let them be themselves and not force anything.
sorry about the mis-spelling, I am on meds for Bronchotis on top of being 35 weeks pregnant, so i have mommy brain, and drug brain..lol
Just wanted to add, that my two older children, who did not enter pre-school until the age of 5, are both academically ahead of their peers. So it can go either way. Just because you don’t start your child at 20 months, does not mean they are gong to lack later on.
I personally think that the longer we wait to start them in a school setting, the longer they are allowed to be just kids, play like kids and follow their own imagination. I mean, growing up I did not know anyone who went to pre-school. We were all either in Day care or with our parents until elementary school started.
That being said, I did have my kids in MOPS groups, I dropped them both off in the day care at the Y when I worked out and the church nursery where they spent time with other children their ages. This allowed them plenty of time with other children and to learn to follow directions from others. It does not have to be a school setting
Ok, I usually don’t respond back but when it comes to my kids I have to. Alicia – I taught first grade for several years before having children. I am now able to stay home full time with them. As a former teacher you can rest assure that there are plenty of “teaching moments” going on in my home. My 2 year old can sing his abcs, count to 10, speaks in full sentences, carries on conversations etc. My one year old started walking at 11 months old and has been saying words for a long time! I read daily, sing songs all day long, play nonstop, in addition to taking care of my home, and being a good wife.
Socially both of my children go to anyone at any time. Just today logan walked up to a bunch of kids on the playground and said “Hi I’m Logan” and started to play with them.
So before you get carried away with what I am or am not taking into consideration maybe you should take into consideration that being a full time mom is more than just catching Oprah everyday at 4.
wow, guys! i didn’t realize there would be so many opinions. i thought it was kind of a “middle-of-the-road” thing for people, but actually a lot of people feel REALLY strongly about it.
i don’t have many friends with babies her age–they’re either older or have no kids or live far away–and i thought it would give her (and me!) opportunities to meet other kids in our area. the preschool is a church preschool that is less than a 5 minute walk from our house in our little downtown area. there would be 10 kids in her class and i was hoping that in 4 years they would be some of the same kids she went to kindergarten with.
i’m so glad you all wrote your honest feelings down…it makes me realize that 1. everyone is different and that 2. everyone loves their children a whole lot to have thought about this so much to come to their decision on preschool/mother’s morning out programs.
thank you, thank you, thank you!
Honestly, I don’t think it makes a huge difference. You can always try it out and if you don;t like it quit. If you have Gymboree Play & Music in you area you might try that out. Most likely MM will get sick a lot at first so if she has any health issues you may want to wait but other then that go with your gut.
Emily’s been at the daycare since 8 weeks old and she is very used to be around other babies/kids. The daycare she goes to provide lots of interactive activities. 20 months isn’t too young. Three days a week would be just enough time for her.
Yes, Yes – it’s too young ! Kids at that age do not socialize with others the same age. That doesn’t happen until 4 or later !! Really ! Don’t do it – I made that mistake and believed all the talk about socializing kids at that age – What they need is strong foundations with adults that love them very much. You have the perfect situation – she has many many years to socialize with her peers – don’t rush it. It will happen….
Ellie has been going to preschool at North Metro right there near your mom since she was 2. She LOVES it! I HIGHLY recommend it!!!