Since Jackson was born we have assumed that we would retain him for kindergarten. Since his birthday is August 24th, according to James Dobson it would be best to keep him back a year and give him more time to mature etc. So, of course that’s ALWAYS been the plan. We have already registered him and reserved his spot in preschool next year. I have a friend who had done really fun field trips with her kids before they had entered kindergarten and I had told Jackson that next year we would do lots of special stuff for his last year at home.
Yesterday I spoke with Jackson’s teacher and she basically said it was a very bad idea to keep him in preschool for another year. She said he was too bright and would be bored and unhappy.
AHHHHHH! So, I am totally freaking out right now. This year has not been treated as if it were our last. Presents from Alex took up a tremendous amount of my time and I have not done everything that I wanted to do with my sweet little buddy and the thought of losing him a year early is just killing me. Yes, I’m pregnant and hormonal but most of my close friends cried when their babies went to kindergarten. . .and they knew it was coming.
Luckily I’ve had hours of free counseling from some great girlfriends the last two days because this little fact has made me a wreck.
I just keep thinking about the parties and plays this year and how I didn’t know it was his LAST preschool Christmas play or his LAST preschool Valentine’s party. It’s such a detriment to be so sentimental and sappy.
And then there’s the small fact that we have no idea where we will be living so we don’t even know what school he would go to. I’ve looked into several private schools but of course none of them fit into our budget.
Jack and I have had so much fun this year and he’s just my little best friend. I’m so worried about sending him off to a school where I don’t know the teachers and they can’t love on him the way that his preschool teachers do etc. And what if his preschool teacher is wrong? What if putting him in being 12 months younger than some of his class mates is NOT a good idea? What if he’s not ready? According to everything I’ve read this decision is paramount to his future and determines everything (yes, a little dramatic but have you read this stuff?) The year that they start kindergarten will eventually determine their class ranking and which college they go to. Starting them too early puts them at the bottom of the class both intellectually and maturity wise. His teacher, who I adore and who is AWESOME with Jack, has assured me that he is not the average kid and that he will do fine and will not be at the bottom of the class despite being the youngest. Ugh-I just want him to thrive and love school and learning and make friends and be successful. I know God will totally take care of him and that this is not nearly as important a decision as I think it is but man it’s hard to keep that perspective right now.
Ok, enough about me agonizing over the best decision sweet little man Jack. Pretty soon this dilemma will be over and I’ll forget that it ever seemed so life and death.
Parenting. . .it’s not for sissy’s!
4 years ago
3 comments:
I feel your pain! I am not opposed to delaying the start - don't want to send off to college at 17! I am not saying one way is better than the other, there are just lots of things to look at...even further off down the road. Good luck with your decision!
For what it's worth Hill, I've always heard if birthdays fall in a time frame where parents need to make this decision, it's better for girls to start early and boys to start late. Yes, the whole maturity thing but also down the line with growing up and going through puberty and all of that because it's more embarrassing for a boy to mature later than his class mates and more embarrassing for a girl to develop earlier. Although since Jack already looks about 7 I doubt that will even be an issue so nevermind all of my previous rambling!! :) You know him better than any human on the planet so that combined with praying about it, I know you'll do what's best for him ;-)
There was a time when parents were allowed to raise their children and just let them be children. Whether he is too bright and will get bored is beside the point if he misses out on just being a kid with no responsibilities. All that comes way too soon in my opinion. Go with your gutt, which probably is saying - let him be a little boy in preschool and no matter what, I'll guarantee what he'll remember about his life when he's 30 years old is that his mother loved him.
I love you,
Mom
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