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Parenting & Farm Kids:  Pre-school Pressure  |
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sunshine7
Farmgirl in Training
25 Posts
nikki
Northern
wyoming
USA
25 Posts |
 Posted - Sep 28 2010 : 10:18:59 AM
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Hi everyone!
My son just turned 4 and we have been living in the country about 25 miles from an established town, since he was born.For the past year I have been taking him to the local community center for activites. My Mother-in-law suggests that I start him in Pre-school, but we have been working on it at home. My husband feels like we should wait. But,I am feeling outside pressure to put him in Pre-school. When our son came into our lives my committment was to stay home and raise him.
Any advice? |
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Lessie Louise
True Blue Farmgirl
1406 Posts
Carol
PECULIAR
MO
USA
1406 Posts |
Posted - Sep 28 2010 : 12:33:53 PM
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As his mom, you will make the right choice. Don't give into pressure. Be nice but firm. Good luck
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting them in a fruit salad!
Farmgirl #680! |
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natesgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1735 Posts
angela
martinsville
indiana
USA
1735 Posts |
Posted - Sep 28 2010 : 1:25:49 PM
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I had a lot of pressure to do the same thing. I gave in and totally regretted it. I refuse to give in with my youngest, which I still have 2 years to prepare for the pressures to start. I am now homeschoolin my 2 older girls and have started to work on countin and singing the abc song with the littlest. The older girls are lovin bein able to watch their baby sister grow up and helpin to teach her. I wouldn't give up our close at home life for anything. If you want you little one at home and your husband agrees, forget others, do it! Don't let others ruin your dreams and plans, you'll always regret it later.
Farmgirl Sister #1438
God - Gardening - Family - Is anything else important? |
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Jessi Lynn
True Blue Farmgirl
144 Posts
New York
USA
144 Posts |
Posted - Sep 28 2010 : 1:40:49 PM
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The right pre-school can be great-gaining skills for school (seems knowadays kids need to know lot more) some time away from the family, a little independence and helps with socialization, meeting and making friends.
But I agree with Lessie Louise-your the mom, you know your kid and what he needs. Seems like your making time for learning skills and getting him "out there" ((most important since you live in a rural setting) by taking him to the community center for activites.
It's nice to get some outside opinions, gives you a different perspective but the final decision needs to be made by you. |
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msdoolittle
True Blue Farmgirl
1143 Posts
Amanda
East Texas
USA
1143 Posts |
Posted - Sep 28 2010 : 4:20:39 PM
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I chose not to send my youngest back to preschool this year (she is 4). I have not regretted it, even for a second. I enjoy this time that I have to spend with her because it will never be here again! My oldest did go to daycare/preschool because I was working at the time (boy, I'd never do THAT again, lol). She was so terribly shy, but it actually helped her to be around other kids, though I still wish I had not sent her to daycare! Now, my youngest can make friends with a stranger in the blink of an eye.
I love my MIL, but she tries to cram the 'socialization' bit down my throat. Trust me, my youngest is about as socialized as any little child ever was! lol.
Of course, your decision is strictly up to you, but it sounds as though you are doing a great job. Kids love to be around kids, so the community center thing sounds like a great idea. I bet you could also find another SAHM to have playdates with. This is what we do from time to time.
My mom and MIL just about freaked when I told them I wasn't sending her to school, but I knew in my heart I was doing the right thing for our family. Plus, it saves me about 215 dollars a month, which I put on our debts :0) Do what is best for YOUR family.
FarmGirl #1390
www.mylittlecountry.wordpress.com |
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4forMe
True Blue Farmgirl
166 Posts
Dawn
Easton
MD
166 Posts |
Posted - Sep 29 2010 : 11:20:29 AM
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I am a believer that young children belong with their mothers, when possible. That being said, I did have my 4 year old go to a preschool three mornings a week, so that all day kindergarten wouldn't be such a hard thing to get used to. It worked out well. Do what is best for your family.
Sewing, knitting, gardening mom of 5. |
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Faransgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
895 Posts
Beth
Houston
Texas
USA
895 Posts |
Posted - Sep 29 2010 : 12:35:43 PM
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WEll, they are only little for a short time. We lived over seas when my oldest and middle daughters started school. They start actual first grade (not kindergarten or pre-school) at 4 1/2 to 5 1/2 depending on when their birthdays fall. You don't get to choose. We were back here when my youngest started. I treasure that time with my youngest who started 1/2 day kindergarten at 5. My youngest had just turned 4 1/2 just barely when she started first grade. I think you should make the decision that you think is best for you son and for you. I think society today expects them to grow up and be independent way way to early.
Farmgirl Sister 572
When manure happens just say "WOO HOO Fertilizer". |
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texdane
Farmgirl Legend Chapter Leader Chapter Guru
4658 Posts
Nicole
Sandy Hook
CT
USA
4658 Posts |
Posted - Sep 29 2010 : 3:54:47 PM
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Stay home with your child. If you can do it, they don't need to go to preschool. I felt pressured by other mothers in my area to get my daughter in the "right" preschool - people lined up for it at four am in the snow to get signed up! But that year I don't feel like she got anything out of it, except alot of colds. It seemed more like a "social" thing for moms. They are only little for so long, and you are the best teacher your child can have. Kindergarten comes soon enough. Do what YOU want, YOUR his mom, and you know best.
Nicole
Farmgirl Sister #1155
KNITTER, JAM-MAKER AND MOM EXTRAORDINAIRE |
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rosarita78
True Blue Farmgirl
206 Posts
Reina
Drought ridden High Plains
New Mexico
USA
206 Posts |
Posted - Sep 30 2010 : 2:19:47 PM
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Preschool does have some great qualities. I agree with staying at home and that commitment because that's a big deal. I sent my 4 year old to preschool, but decieded to keep my 3 year old. My 4 year old is very very busy and outgoing and he was driving me crazy at home I could not keep him busy enough. However my 3 year old is happy and content here at home to be right with me. I got the "oh...you're sending him to preschool" speech from my family. But he has just thrived. The preschool here does not "teach" anything so it's lots of exploring and talking, art,science, they have computers etc. He already knows enough for kindergarden but really enjoy part day preschool.
My suggestion is you know your child, and you are that childs mommy. DON'T FORGET YOU ARE THE MOMMY!! You know what's best!! So dig your heels in and take your stand if you need too!!
Good luck!
Reina
http://reinascountrykitchen.blogspot.com
http://icookinnewmexico.blogspot.com |
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sunshine7
Farmgirl in Training
25 Posts
nikki
Northern
wyoming
USA
25 Posts |
Posted - Oct 04 2010 : 07:02:40 AM
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Thanks Ladies!!
What fantastic support, the biggest thing I heard was your the Mommy and you know what's best! I forgot that and thank you for reminding me of what's important.
Cheers to you all of you Mom's out there!!
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child in harmony
True Blue Farmgirl
55 Posts
Marcia
Middleboro
MA
USA
55 Posts |
Posted - Oct 31 2010 : 3:21:21 PM
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Noone loves your child like YOU do...noone has his best interest at heart then YOU. Follow your heart and keep him home. Don't worry what others say. You know what's right for YOUR family.
Get him in the real world... learning...hands-on with nature and animals and everything else. A preschool in a building cannot compare. Everything is an adventure with a preschooler. Read and play and talk talk talk together about everything!
You'll love it!
~marcia
www.harmonywoodsfarm.com
www.childinharmony.com
"Enriching,nurturing and inspiring Life with nature,animals
and the arts .. for the child and the child within" |
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Parenting & Farm Kids: Pre-school Pressure |
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Pre-school Pressure
