I, like other mothers, was bracing for my kid’s spring break. I thought I would hate it. I’ve been spoiled by Vivien being in school from 9 (if I get there on time) to just before 3 (pick up later, and you are in trouble). Now I haven’t been at peak work/writing production during the break, but now that it’s about to end I’m a bit wistful. In all she will have been off for 2 and half weeks.
I mentioned to a mom friend that I like spring break.
“You are the only one” she quipped.
I found Vivien was better behaved, and we had less conflict on her break. My mom , a former nursery school director, thinks Viv’s school is too crowded and that it can promote aggressiveness in kids. I also thought maybe our conflicts come from me not focusing enough on her, especially with a new baby. She gets mom time, and then she is more reasonable. It’s not only I who have noticed; my husband and Dolly (who helps me when Mark works at night) has also noticed a sweeter kid. So, do I send her back to school?
Well, she likes her buddies there, and it’s paid for. And I really want to lose these 15 pounds, so I am going to use some of her school time to push Rex around in a stroller. Other than that, I might consider a little home preschooling.
it’s a tough call — i think school, even uncrowded school, can tax the burgeoning skill sets of the nascent 3 yr old brain.
In my case, my daughter is lovely and well-behaved at school, and starts to lose it upon pick up from school, in her “safe place” (ie us). . . I struggle with knowing that she’s learning invaluable lessons at school, from conflict resolution to educational material they have the time and ability to introduce. . . and feeling I”m depriving her of enough “me” and “family” time. I find weekends are my “spring break” in terms of noticing different behavior, but I also know that I”m too limited – in patience and in native ability – to stimulate her in a way that would benefit her best.
We have a new baby coming in a few weeks, and I’m very on the fence whether to keep her in school long-term, or pull her out and just stay home with both kids. I think everyone would be happier if she stayed in school, at least part time…maybe a compromise solution? Maybe just fewer hours of school that way you get your stroller/exercise time, she gets the educational program, and yet, she gets enough “mommy”/”family” time too??
No perfect answers here, unfortunately…
I know what you mean…when my 3 get a little bit more of me than they usually do, they do so well. It’s like they’re not able to say, “hey! I need to be with you..” so they act out instead. I read something interesting about kids acting up when they start to feel “invisible”, as in lost in the crowd. Your mom’s observation might be right on the money, “invisible kids.”
interesting. she’s back two days and pretty good. but its so true about she was fine all day until I pick her up.
I think the acting out invisible thing is on the money. speaking of money since the school costs a bit I’m loathe not to send her for the full amount so as to get my money worth so to speak, but then it’s also years I’ll never get back