Neatly Tied
by
My weeks have been moving quickly. We’ve been busy with Open Houses and tours of day cares and grammar schools. Our friend that watches Sun on Wednesdays, SoMo, is pregnant with her third child and though throwing another one on the heap seems easy enough, I know those early post-pregnancy months are going to be rough for SoMo, and tending to Sun even once a week will be too much. So our little boo will be going to “school” three days a week starting in June (her other two week days will still be spent with me).
And in a way, I am relieved. When I was pregnant, I swore I never wanted Sun to end up in day care. And I still feel strongly for a young baby. I understand that many NEED it, but we didn’t. And I wanted to be the one feeding her, changing her, bonding with her, sculpting her young mind.
But even now, and even more so in 6 months, Sun is HUNGRY for more than I can give her at home. She blossoms when around other children and you can see her little hamster wheel humming along more strongly when in an environment that is catered to her size, interests, and skill levels. She’ll love the art classes, the play time, the reading, the outside play yard. She’ll make friends that will likely follow her to grammar school and maybe through her whole life.
The teacher at her school said something that I connect strongly with but never found the words so succinctly: Parents spend so much time focusing on college for their children. But it’s the start, the foundation, that is most important. If you don’t build a solid foundation, they play catch up most of the time. Instead, teach your child to LIKE school; to find learning stimulating and inviting; build that solid foundation.
And like the rash of knitting I have been accomplishing lately, things here are all neatly tied.
That teacher is so right. More efforts need to be focused on these developing minds…I had very different situations for my two ‘generations’ of kids but I was happy with the outcome of it all. Sun will have a fab, fab time. Just watch her grow now! And just because she’s going to school, doesn’t mean your involvement is limited. I’ve always been active in the kids classrooms, no matter what my job demands. I know you will be too.
So true. You’ll never have to worry about college if you don’t teach your children to love school right from the beginning.
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Good luck with your search. I’m sure you’ll find a school you and Sun are comfortable with.
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Absolutely – “school” was great for Oliver. I was sorry to have to do it at the time, but once he was there a few months, I knew it was better for him than staying home with Nana & PopPop. He learned so much and had so much fun in day care.
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My parents provided the foundation when I was young and left the rest up to me. I think Sun will flourish wherever she is, especially with parents like you and CS!
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I agree with that teacher. How very true.
And good luck with the school search. My bebe will be 1 yr soon so i’m looking to get her into a program 1-2 days a week for socializing. Much like you said, she seems to come alive when around other kids and i want her to have diverse experiences during her week to keep her mind stimulated.
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Oh, that is just so sweet! I’m so happy for you!
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It is very true, what the teacher said! I was the youngest in a family of four, one parent ill. There were so many other things to take care of instead of fostering a relationship with me and learning and, unfortunately, that stayed with me all through my primary education. It wasn’t until I was in my mid-twenties did I realize that I was actually kind of smart! Now, at thirty-two, I am doing what most people do and twenty — getting my degree. I really try to foster learning with my children, making it fun. Good luck on your search!
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