This past week was a good one in terms of running and swimming. The best run was the hill workout on Tuesday outside. Thursday and today I ran on the treadmill - it's brutal after running outside with people, but I could not motivate to run outside today - it was 19 out! I was able to do 10 on the treadmill at a good pace. I also signed up for daily mile and added in my workouts for 2011 so far. Are you on there? Do you have "friends" on there and use it more than just logging workouts? Looks like a facebook site for athletes! So far it is pretty cool!
I am debating between sending Nick to preschool next fall (2.5) or in one year - in Jan (almost 3). Here are my thoughts and I would like to know what you did or plan to do for preschool. I didn't think this started until age 3, but it turns out most of my playgroup friends are sending their kids at 2 1/2. Pros and cons - if he starts in the fall, I'd like to do toddler time with him this winter/spring - go with him like a mommy and me so that he's ready in the fall. We already do gymboree 1x/week but this would be nice because alot of the time I have to hold Kara at gymboree also. Kind of takes away from his time. Is it necessary at 2.5? Probably not. I feel like it is basically daycare. It would allow me to have 2 mornings a week with just Kara which would be nice, but I like the time that they are together building their sibling relationship, and he'll be in school until he's 21 once this starts! I feel like he was just born and now I'm sending him to preschool? I kind of feel more comfortable sending him at 3, but in the back of my head I think how nice it would be to have the time one on one with Kara! It also scares me to drop him off at school already- and makes me sad. And I feel like he would be getting a better start being with me rather than starting early - one on one, teaching/learning.
When did you start your kids in school?
Do you ever feel burnt out of parenting? What do you do? There have been days lately where I just want my time. I just want the entire day to do what I want with no interruptions. Does that sound horrible? I feel that I have 10 things that I've started, a to-do list and nothing crossed off. I think back to the days without kids and just want to go back for one day. I would appreciate every second of it - but then I'd miss the kids and want to come back.
Here they are(for you Nicole)
i always thought pre school was pretty much like daycare...or daycare like pre school. the difference being whether the mom works or not. that said, i COMPLETELY understand wanting a day to yourself! even with 1, and even being away from her toddler-isms when i'm at work, i am still exhausted and would just love to be able to sit around my own house and actually RELAX. i don't feel too guilty about feeling that way though!
ReplyDeleteAdorable pics! I agree with you totally on the school thing but I think 3 would be better!
ReplyDeleteMelting melting melting! i love your babies! they are so precious! :) thank you for sharing these with me... i suppose i could stalk your facebook... next time ill just do that! :) they are both growing like mini weeds! teehee!
ReplyDeleteI'm not a parent, but from a teacher perspective, I would wait till he was 3. I think that fact that you're thinking it through, means that you're involved parent, and more and more expectations are being expected out of young children. I wouldn't rush it. But you know your child the best and what they are ready for. :-)
ReplyDeleteI waited until my daughter was 3, which gave her 2 1/2 years of preschool before kindergarten. She was fully prepared for school.
ReplyDeleteThe snow pictures are cute!
ReplyDeleteI was 2 1/2 when I started preschool. My parents knew I was ready and my mom's friends daughter was starting preschool and they wanted us to be together even though I was 6months younger.
ReplyDeleteBaker started preschool this fall - he wasn't quite 2. He just goes two mornings a week for 3 hours (Mother's Morning Out [program at a church a few blocks away). It's been amazing for both of us. Baker has learned so much (i.e., last night he was picking up all his toys singing a "clean up" song that he must have learned there) and I get two mornings a week to run, do errands, or do whatever I need to do. Plus he;s worn out when he gets home which usually guarantees a good nap. If anything, the socialization has been great for him. We're debating between 2 and 3 mornings a weeks this fall since we'll have a newborn here!
ReplyDeleteFirst of all...could they get any cuter?!!! I am tossing preschool around in my head but right now Em is in daycare full time. The downfall of being a working Mom. the upside is that she is with other kids and such. I am still on the fence about next year. We moved and changed daycare so I wanted her to stay put for a period of time. I was thinking of 3 or so to start sending her. It is always a struggle but you are right...once she starts she'll be there for 20 years!
ReplyDeleteDon't beat yourself up about feeling burnt out with being a parent. I think that it is completely normal...well at least I hope so because I feel the same from time to time. I could only imagine with two! Could your hubby take them for an afternoon so you can have you time? I think it is really important to get time to yourself to recharge!!! Being a Mom I think we pour ourselves into our family...it is important to still maintain who we were before we were Mommy. Easier said than done I know!
That pic of Kara in the snow is too cute! She's kind of channeling Maggie Simpson in the outfit! :) I don't have a baby (yet), but my mum started me at pre-school at age 4 (I ended up repeating 5th grade later on and it was the best thing they ever made me do). She put my brother in at the same age and recently said that she wished she hadn't sent him at all. She thinks he would have been better just going straight into school. Our calendar school year is also different, so that comes into play as well. My MIL kept my husband back a year before sending him to pre-school as she knew he wasn't ready (she's a former pre-k teacher of 20+ years, so kind of qualified to make that call :)). He was fine. Not trying to freak you out - I guess just every kid is different and you'll figure it out. It's nice that you're open to suggestions and feedback!
ReplyDeleteI have no kids, but I do remember my kid sister starting at 3, and even that worried us. She seemed so small! I think if he has the bathroom thing down pat and has had a chance to socialize, then it should be fine.
ReplyDeleteThe pic of Kara in the snow is adorable. I think it is totally normal to feel burnt out in the parenting dept from time to time, especially when you do it 24/7. Elena will start preschool in Sept and she close to 4 (her birthday is Jan). If there was a 2yr program that I really liked, I might have sent her since she loves being social. If you think Nick is ready, you could always start him and see how it goes. Worst case is that you could pull him out if it isn't working and then try again the following year. I will say that preschool for a 2yr old probably isn't necessary (this is what my neighbor who was a kindergarten teacher told me), but is really more of a personal choice. She has sent of her kids at 2yrs old, mostly so she could get a break during the day and her kids enjoy it. Good luck with your decision.
ReplyDeleteI don't think there's any perfect age to send kids to pre-school. But I can say that it is good to miss them a bit, so if his time at pre-school gives you a bit of a break, it's a good thing, no matter the age!
ReplyDeleteaw, look at her all bundled up in the snow! too cute!
ReplyDeleteI'm not a mom, but as a nanny, I think it is absolutely necessary that you get some "me" time at least once a week for a few hours. Anyway you can hire a babysitter or nanny and get a little break here and there? I firmly believe all moms need time to be something other than just a mom. It doesn't mean you love your children any less, but getting a break here and there will ultimately make you a more relaxed and happy woman/wife/mother. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm impressed that you can bang out 10 miles on the treadmill. My max is about 5. I hate that stupid thing.
Since I'm not a mom, I don't have parenting tips. But I did want to say you totally aren't alone on doing the run inside! :) Way to get it done!
ReplyDeleteI am NOT a mom so I really have no say :) But I think that it would be more like a play-time for your kids and perhaps a good way to get them social interactive with others? Also a little break for you? I wouldn't over think it too much.
ReplyDeleteAnd I can totally see how you want your "me" time. Honestly, I don't know how you Moms (or families, dads, etc) do it. I know it's your choice to be a parent, but I don't think anyone really knows what that entails! Learning all the way.
Love your blog - and your kids are ADORABLE!
Cairn has been in daycare four days a week since he was seven months old. I wouldn't change it, as he absolutely loves it. The girls are just so good with the kids. They do more with him in a day, than I would in a month. He will be there until he starts school (at 4 1/2 years), so I suppose it's like preschool. He's got his own friends, can count, knows his colours and he's not even two. He's really sociable - even with adults. Not that I want him to grow up too fast or be some kind of child genius - he's just developed that way being round lots of kids.
ReplyDeleteIt's expensive, but his nursery is just five minutes from my office. Which is a comfort in a way.
I think it would be good for and Kara, but way more beneficial to Nick. On the other side, you're a fabulous Mum and spend lots of quality time with him. I can see why your torn.
I know what you mean about being burnt out. At least I've got work to escape. And Cairn is in bed for 7pm every night. You are superwoman! :-)