Monday, November 3, 2008

Overheard at a Birthday Party

Yesterday, I took H to a birthday party for one of his classmates from preschool. While the children were enjoying cake, I heard one of the other moms say to another,

"I didn't realize they are out of school both days next week. My mom is coming to visit, and when I realized they didn't have school, I told her, thank goodness you're coming."

So, here's the thing. I don't feel that way about preschool. AT. ALL. In fact, I feel almost the opposite. Getting H ready and to preschool on time two days a week is much harder than hanging out at home. Trying to get W a good nap before leaving to pick H up again, that's tough. (The mom who was saying this has another little one who I don't think is in preschool or MMO as she looks less than a year old). H's preschool is 9-12. I am usually one of the first folks in line for pick up, because I try to get home in time to get lunch ready at a normal time for everyone. Of course, there's also my germophobia that comes in to play too. I know H is there with all the other children, learning in an environment I can't provide at home, sharing with other children, learning to follow classroom rules and such, but there is always that thought of all those germs. Don't get me wrong. I am so proud of H for learning to go to the potty at school. I love hearing about what he did at school, seeing what he made, but I don't see it as much of a time for me to get things done. While it does provide me with maybe an hour and a half at home while W sleeps, it also requires a lot of getting ready and driving to and fro. It's just interesting to me to know how people in similar situations can view things so differently.

1 comment:

Kate Coveny Hood said...

It all depends on what's going on at home. I feel the same way as that other mother about daycare - but that's because it's ALL DAY - and if daycare is closed and I have to work, it gets very complicated. But if I was home and the issue was just a few hours of pre-school, I don't see what the big deal is. I'm with you on the commute inconvenience. It takes me at least 10-15 minutes to get all of my kids in the car every morning. If I had to turn around and do that again just a few hours later? I don't know... I have no idea what I'm going to do when I'm supposed to wait for the school bus every morning. I need to find a career alternative to my day job. Any ideas?