School Fears

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by J. Christy Buckley on February 21, 2010 at 3:59pm

Hi Kathy,
I'm in your same boat! I'm only putting my oldest into 2 day/week preschool, but my heart breaks when I think about it!! I don't like the thought of the other kids influence on him. I too have thought of homeschooling, but I know that would not be best for him (or me) and he really needs to be with other kids. I am just hoping that by the time we get there it will be a better experience than I anticipated!
Also, I am planing to call & ask for a private tour of the school & to talk to the teachers a couple of months prior to him starting, maybe you could do that too & it may ease your fears.
Good luck!!

Permalink Reply by Lindsey on February 21, 2010 at 9:57pm

Hi Kathy,

I am also in the same situation as you, except my oldest will be old enough for kindergarten THIS fall! AHH! I have felt called to homeschool for the past year, my husband has not been so crazy about it, but he is letting me have the final say on whether or not we do public or homeschool for kinder. I took my oldest on a tour of the school, and while there was nothing "wrong" with it, I still have an uneasy feeling about leaving her for 7 hours/day. So, my mom had a great solution, to try homeschooling out for the entire month of March (no skipping or quitting early) to see if it will work for our family. So, I've gotten some lesson plans together from the Little Saints curriculum and I am really looking forward to giving this a shot! We'll see if I can pull it off, I have a 4 yr old, 3 yr old, and almost 2 yr old...wow, right?

I also wanted to let you know that your feelings are so normal, every mother sheds tears on the first day or even week of school. It just shows what a fantastically devoted mother you are! Good luck!

Prayers headed your way! Blessings!

Permalink Reply by Kathy C. on February 22, 2010 at 11:00pm

I am so glad to know that I am not the only one who feels this way! I thought maybe I was just some overprotective mother with control issues or something.

Thank you both for the reassurance. We have the pre-school evaluation day on March 7th where they enroll him for next year and ask a bunch of questions and such so hopefully I can ask some questions there. The school building will be brand new so that is a plus. I do think I will ask about a tour. That is a good idea.

I also like the idea of trying out the homeschooling for a month. Maybe I will suggest that to my husband and see what he thinks.

Permalink Reply by Susan C. on February 24, 2010 at 7:13am

Hi Kathy-I've been meaning to reply to your email. I just put our 3 year old in preschool this year. I'll be honest sometimes he doesn't really want to go- but being as I am pregnant with out fourth due in June. It has been precious time for me to get things done before the baby comes. It's always a mixed bag- Sometimes I feel guilty but when his brothers are at school all day begging me to play with him- I am grateful for the couple of hours I have to get things done. He only goes 2 days a week right now.

I think it just depends on your own situation and what you are comfortable with. I do regret not putting my oldest in preschool - who is now 8- and trying to homeschool. It was a disaster for us- angry mommy and willful child. I don't know if this helps at all- just sharing some common feelings! Blessings over whatever decision you make.

Permalink Reply by Debra Casperson on September 30, 2010 at 12:03pm

Hi Kathy,
I am right there with you. My children stay home with me and have never been in a school environment so when Kindergarten rolled around for my now 6 yr old, I spent many a nights crying, alot!! And I will be truthful, the first month of getting her up and out the door to the bus was HORRIBLE!! She did not want to go, AT ALL!! I thought of ways to make her comfortable; I pasted pictures in her folder, she was allowed to bring a favorite stuffed animal, I bought her a locket and put our pictures in it, she wore my perfume to school, anything I could think of. It didn't last forever and she grew to love the experience. And I was fortunate enough to go into her class and volunteer often, she LOVED those days. I was torn too about homeschooling her. I was a teacher and probably qualified, but I had the same feelings about it that you have. I also feel like it is a calling to be your children's teacher, I am not hearing that call. And we decided to send her to public school for kindergarten because it was half day. She now goes to the Catholic School and I was so anxious for the school year to start!! I bought her a new, religious locket and prayed extremely hard that she would have an easier time! She has and LOVES it, you wouldn't even know that she didn't go there last year. She has made friends quickly, loves the bus and her teacher!! PRAISE GOD!!!

Permalink Reply by Kathy C. on October 4, 2010 at 11:51am

Thank you for the support. We are now a month into school and he loves it! I went with him the first day and he did great. He said I did not need to come the second day and so I decided to see how it went and he was wonderful. He only goes 4 days a week for half a day so it isn't too bad. I try to help out once a week at least for now. He is making friends fast and learning so much.