It’s real. It’s happening. And I have the forms to prove it.
My kids are starting preschool in less than a month.
The envelope I’d been waiting for showed up last Thursday. A welcome letter. Details on start dates and phase-ins. 16 pages of emergency contacts, vaccination records, parental consent, and even a questionnaire about when they started sitting and crawling and walking and what their favorite foods are. Class lists with the names of kids I’ve never met before, and a quick count that shows the rooms to be more than 50% boys.
As a Montessori school, they’re really big on independence. And while I have long thought of my kids as fairly independent children, I’m suddenly realizing the things we need to work on them being able to do by themselves. They’re mostly able to handle the potty by themselves, but seem to still want me to be a big part of the process. Still, without me there, I think they’ll get the hang of it pretty quickly.
My bigger concern, actually, is the fact that they specify wanting the kids to be able to dress themselves. I know it’s developmentally appropriate, but it’s something my kids have never shown any interest in doing. I know, right? I don’t have that story of finding my 18-month-olds stripping all of their clothes off, nor do I find them post-nap wearing an odd assortment of pajamas, skirts, and socks on their hands. Just not my kids’ thing. So, now I’ve got four weeks to make progress on the self-dressing front. They’re looking at me like I’m nuts when I ask them to try putting their underwear on by themselves.
In the meantime, there are labels to affix to all of their shoes and shirts and jeans, new backpacks on their way, and I have to find a pair of non-character-branded slippers for them to wear in class. We need to tweak our wake-up time and morning routine in the hopes of making it on time for school at 8:30, and maybe buy one more carseat so Daddy can handle drop-off sometimes.
Oh, and I need to come to terms with the fact that, after doing every single activity by my kids’ side for every single day of the last three years, they’re now going to have five mornings a week of learning and playing and doing all kinds of things without me.
You’ll understand if I’d rather focus on finding the right slippers than dealing with that particular reality.
The “dress yourself” requirement often really just means that they should have the ability to get themselves back into their clothing after going to the bathroom.
Liz, it’s a big step. You appear to be handling it admirably.
How exciting! I keep thinking ahead to school programs and “classes” to help ease into preschool over the next few years. What montessori school are they going to? I am really wanting to send my kids that route!
Chantal recently posted..Got To Wear Shades – i heart faces
Adorable backpacks! I was thinking that you should make nametags like you did for your friend’s twins, but then I remembered that people probably don’t have a difficult time telling Daniel and Becca apart – LOL!
What are you planning on doing with your free time?
Let me think on the slippers. Ben had to have them at his Montessori School last year and it was the same “no character” rule. I’m thinking I found slippers that looked like firetrucks online. Think Vinson, think!
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For what is is worth, we really like the Robeez as slippers. They don’t slip at all and there are a bunch of styles that are plain. The “characters” that are on some of the styles aren’t really “characters” – more like images. Anyway, good luck! They do make Robeez up to size 4T.
jane recently posted..Surviving Transcontinental Airplane Travel With Toddlers
BIG steps!! I agree with Wiley – it usually just means that they can pull up undies/pants by themselves (working on this with Logan!) and perhaps put their own jacket on…which – if it’s anything like our school – they’ll teach them the cool put-it-on-the-floor-up-side-down, put-your-arms-in, and flip-it-over-your-head method.
We like the LLBean slippers. My kids wear them all winter
The toddler ones are the best, but the Boy ones take a close second.
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Hi Liz,
Thanks for your nice note on my blog! Looks like you have big changes coming up in your life too! That Montessori stuff sounds interesting – I’m sure they’ll adjust to their new responsibilities quickly! Best of luck!
Meaghan
Watching them grow up breaks your heart a little bit at a time, doesn’t it? But they will be fine. And you will…well…you will rock some well-deserved alone time. Imagine, if you will, tidying up the house BY YOURSELF! Enjoying a sandwich in your kitchen BY YOURSELF! Making a beautiful quilt sans tiny voices soundtrack! It’s bittersweet, for sure, but not without its perks!
We’re still a year away from starting preschool, and while I know I’ll miss spending some mornings with them, I must say that I’ll be happy to have a couple of hours to myself. The drop off playgroup has been a nice sneak peak.
)
Those backpacks are super cute! I think we might pick some up for our travels this year (a record 3 trips for us!). How big are they on your kiddos? I can’t wait to see their first day of school photos!
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omg. already?? how did that sneak up?
i love that label company. they did all of our labels for the kids when they go to daycare 2 days a week.
what about lunch boxes? i still have to get those and want some that are cute. those backpacks are adorable!!
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