I'm having a preschool predicament. The paperwork for Emma's second year of preschool is due. She's been in the two-year-old program all year, which only has the scheduling option of 2 hours twice a week. When she first started preschool in September that was the perfect amount of time for her, but I know that both of us are itching for something a little bit longer now.
Suddenly, I'm faced with all these choices about her school schedule next year. I can keep her at two days a week, or she can go for three half-days, three full days, five half-days, or even five full days. I just can't decide.
I definitely know that I want her to go more than two days a week. I think it will be better for both of us. She could use the extra stimulation, and I know she really enjoys her time in the classroom. And honestly, I could use the break. Plus, it would give me a chance to have some alone time with the baby and do activities with her like I did with Emma.
I know that Emma wouldn't enjoy three or five full days, and I'm guessing (hoping?) that she'll be tired after just a half a day at school. Plus, I'm crossing my fingers that she will still be napping in September. So, that leaves me to choose between the three or five half-day schedules.
Here is where the conflict lies:
First, I can't believe that it's only February and I'm already enrolling her for school in the fall. Second, how can I be expected to make such a major decision when it seems like she changes every week? How can I know what will be right for her seven months from now? Finally, I have no idea how I will feel about her going to school full time in the fall. Maybe it will be great, but what if it's too much for either one of us? And it will be too late to change my mind. Oh, the pressure—and she's only 3!
Right now, I'm leaning toward three half-days a week. Five seems like a lot, and I enjoy the flexibility of our daily life right now. Also, once they start school, that's it until they are at least 18 years old. I'm not really ready to commit to getting her out the door and on time five days a week right now. I can barely take a shower and eat breakfast every morning as it is.
I wish I had a time machine that would transport me to the first day of school in September. Or maybe I need a crystal ball, or a fortune teller who can predict my 3-year-old's future. Or maybe I just need to get out of my head, pick up a pen, and fill out the enrollment form already.
