(Late) Monday Morning Coffee
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It’s crazy that as I type this, it’s now after lunch on the East Coast, whereas here, it’s knocking on 9:30. I swear, the time difference is still taking some getting used to. I planned to write this yesterday, but seeing as how it was my birthday and we spent most of the day relaxing and watching movies (The Lincoln Lawyer= fabulous film. Go watch it!), I just didn’t get around to writing anything.
Little Man woke up with a fever and a runny/stuffy nose again this morning. He seems to be feeling okay, he just can’t really breathe. Poor kid. Maybe all of the sunshine and outdoors this weekend brought it on. Oh well. It was totally worth it. I think he would agree.
He’s getting ready to possibly start preschool August 12 or so. I’m still not quite sure how I feel about it. I love the idea of the social interaction he’ll get, and the all around benefits of social schooling and playtime.
But…
I’m still hesitant as to whether or not we are ready to fork over that kind of money to pay for Child Care when I’m still at home. Granted, I’m trying to work from home, and him being in school would make it a lot easier to work…but part of me is still conflicted as to whether or not I just need to revamp my schedule and my work time to do it all.
Isn’t that how it usually goes for us moms?
We feel guilty when we don’t do one thing, and then feel guilty when we do something else?
If he doesn’t go to daycare/preschool, then I’m afraid I’ll feel like we are short changing him on the social scale and gipping him of something he will need later on. And it makes me feel and sound like I’m being selfish for not wanting to let him go. (Because, yes the more I think about it, the more I am willing to acknowledge the fact that I don’t think anyone will ever take as good of care of him as I will.)
But if he does go to daycare/preschool, am I shortchanging myself? Am I shortchanging him of time at home with mom? It’s not like he never interacts with other kids. We associate with kids his age very often. And he does great in social settings. Plus, does it financially make sense for us to go out on a whim and anticipate that extra income from me? Will it be worth it? Will I even be generating enough to constitute the money spent on childcare?
It’s a lot to think about.
And now that the time is upon us, it’s giving me MORE to think about.
Plus, they don’t offer part time care. He’d be going 5 days a week. Granted, we could choose the hours he goes, it’s still a 5 day a week program.
Just another something to occupy my thoughts and roll around in my head.
Hope you guys had a great weekend!
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Being newly unemployed I am faced with this same decision, do I leave my 3 YO in daycare when I can’t really afford it? She soooo loves her friends and time to be social with others her age. I am anxious to see what you decide, I am on the fence too….
Good luck in making your choice! It’s definitely not an easy one. The financial aspect is a big part of our choice, too. We want the interaction for him, but is it REALLY worth all that $$ when I’m still going to be home? good luck with your choice, too!
wow…I can not imagine preschool.. =-/ Can’t our kids just stay 3-4 forever. haha =) WEll good luck.. I think it would be good for you…and IF you get preggo 😉 you could catch up on must needed rest while he has his social interaction. Good Luck on your decision.
P.s- I forgot to mention. YES!! 5 days seems like a lot! I thought it was only 3 days a week. hmm. Is normal preschool 5 everywhere? Yuck my stomach hurts that I have to be making this decision in 2014
LOL Yes, the “if I get pregnant” factor is definitely part of our choice. I’ll get some extra rest while he’s gone, plus extra bonding time for me & baby when another is born. They used to offer just part-time care here, but they stopped. They DO offer the part day care, which is just a few hours a day. But that will be enough for him AND me. Thanks!
I think I read somewhere that for his age 2-3 days a week is all their little bodies can handle. We’re struggling with the same decision, though. If Presley goes, it will only be 2 days a week. However, we didn’t put Keegan until much later. It’s definitely a hard decision – one we haven’t made yet.
Good luck making your choice! I know you’ll be lost without Presley there to keep you company!
This is a difficult decision. I think if they offered part time care it wouldn’t be so hard for you to say yes but because it’s full time that makes it much harder. I think you will make the right decision for you and your son, whatever that might be.
Thanks girl! Now that we’ve found out they DO offer the part time care once he turns 3, it’s definitely making it easier to decide.
First, I hope you had a wonderful Birthday!!!
This is a tough decision. I know being able to go part time would make it easier, too. Keeping you in my thoughts as you figure this out!
Thanks girl! I definitely appreciate any thoughts and prayers as we get ready to make this choice. 🙂
Day care and preschool are 2 different things though, right? If it’s a true preschool…do they have a half day program to allow him the social interaction, give you some time to work but also allow you to spend a lot of time with him? My mom once put us in daycare, and I know that it was NOT the same as preschool…and I remember preschool which was a wonderful learning experience (i mean, from what I remember). I know you’ll do what’s best for you guys.
Our CDC on base is a little bit of both. They do “teaching” for all of the age groups rather than just shoving them in front of a TV for hours. That’s why we’ve been so adamant about having him start there. Thanks girl!
That is a tough decision! I am sure you will make the one that’s best for YOUR family. No one can take care of your son as well as you do… that being said, I can imagine how hard it’s going to be to work AND keep him home with you all day. 5 days a week is a long time… but if you can pick the hours then maybe it won’t be so bad. Hmm… I know I couldn’t do it! 🙂 That’s really tough Courtney… Maybe you could try it out for a couple of weeks and see how it goes?
LOL thanks for the insight, girl. It’s been a headache trying to make a decision. But all we can do is just wait and see what happens when he actually starts. Maybe he’ll LOVE it and I won’t feel bad sending him.
Oh gosh yes that is a big decision. I am not quite sure what I would do, but thus is the life of a mother! Again happy late birthday girl!
Thanks girl!! No aspect of motherhood has been easy so far. LOL I didn’t expect this to be any different. 🙂
Glad you had a fun birthday weekend! I was just going to say that a few days a week is perfect when I saw that your program is 5 days a week. That is a LOT of time away. We do two mornings, 9:30 – 2:30 and then I also have a sitter one or two days a week. On the days that we’re apart most of 4 days I really, really miss Andrew. But I also get a whole lot done. So it’s a tricky balance. But Andrew loves his MDO and has learned so much. It’s been great for him to learn that he needs to listen to his teachers and play well with the other kids. I wouldn’t give that up for anything.
Wow -that was long! Good luck with your decision. I’ll be praying for wisdom for you guys!
I agree. I am not too thrilled with the idea of him being gone 5 days a week. The only thing that makes sense is that we can choose the hours he goes. So he could go from first thing in the AM until lunch some days, and stay longer other days. This is the only place on the island that offers an actual preschool type program. Everything else is home daycare. And I’m not fond of the idea of paying someone to put him in front of a TV and feed him Chicken Nuggets. You know? LOL It’s definitely weighing on my mind. Just going to have to talk to the husband about it and see what happens. Thanks for your prayers! I so appreciate it!
Courtney, I’m keeping you and your family in my prayers as you decide what to do with Little Man’s schooling!
Thank you, Elizabeth!! I so appreciate that!!