Declan starts pre-school this week, can you believe that?!
At first, we figured he wouldn't go this year because Amy had a gig lined up to watch another girlfriend's kids four days a week until Christmas. And since she planned to do the kid-watching at this other gal's house, there really wasn't any way to get Declan to a pre-school a couple days a week.
Then, when those plans changed and Amy had her autumn weeks unexpectedly free, we came to the logical conclusion that it was far too late in the summer to get our boy into any sort of facility. We consoled ourselves with the thought that we'd get him in next year; give him some socialising before he starts kindergarten. We want to make sure he gets some amount of social interaction before hitting the big leagues of grade school.
Unexpectedly, an opening popped up. My wife heard about it, I forget exactly how. (She'll remind me, I'm sure.) The only misgiving I had at first was that it's hosted in the basement of the nearby Lutheran Evangelical church. At least, I think it's a Lutheran Evangelical. Once I get away from the comfortable conformity of my erstwhile Catholic stomping grounds, the rest of the Christian traditions sort of all blur together for me. I couldn't tell you the difference between a Lutheran, a Protestant and a Baptist if you gave me a paint-by-numbers guide. But it sounds like the beginning of a good joke.
Once I conquered my initial misgivings, I realised it'd be a good idea to get Declan into the pre-school. It's only just taught in the basement of the church and it's not like he's going to come back home after his first week complaining of stigmata or anything. I want both our boys to be exposed to different religious traditions, but those choices will be left up to them and not made by us on their behalf.
I felt better after filling in the four page registration form. On the bottom of the first page were a couple lines specifically asking for parental preference or reservations in regards to religious teaching. I had to use a ruler to add a couple extra lines for my answer, but I felt satisfied in the end that I managed to express my inoffensive opposition to indoctrination until such time that Declan is old enough to make his own choices. He wasn't rejected outright, at any rate.
The orientation is this Wednesday and the first class is Friday morning. Regular classes start next week when he'll follow the schedule of Monday and Wednesday mornings. Wednesdays and Fridays when long weekends intervene.
He's very excited.
We've been talking him up for a few weeks, but it seems he doesn't need much encouragement. The mere mention of "pre-school" brings a smile to his face and an enviable light to his eyes. My job - or the one I want to set for myself - is to work at keeping that light there as far into his academic career as I can. The only prerequisite for his admission was that he had to be three years old and potty trained. (Heck, that nearly qualifies him for a job in this current market.)
Between now and May he'll be kept busy two mornings a week with 17 other wee kids aged three or four, doing arts and crafts in the school, reading stories, or taking morning field trips to the library (walking distance) and other curiosity-arousing destinations. My wife and I will be left to wonder where that baby went and how he'll get along with everybody else.
We might squeeze Tavish a little bit harder at times, knowing that there's not much baby left in him either. This is all very fun and sort of agonising to go through at the same time. These are the steps we want our boys to take, and we hope we've done our best to prepare them to begin to face things without us. But it's the not knowing, you know? Better get used to it.
"This is all very fun and sort of agonising to go through at the same time. These are the steps we want our boys to take, and we hope we've done our best to prepare them to begin to face things without us. But it's the not knowing, you know? Better get used to it."
Well said. And I'm sure it doesn't get any easier or any less scary as they grow up, but, like a wise woman I know said the other day, "it would be the saddest if they DIDN'T grow up". I'm trying to accept this growing up thing (of the children, and myself too, I guess) and appreciate the pace at which it happens -- neither too fast nor too slow -- though some days it seems like it's both!
Posted by: Dixie | Monday, 10 September 2007 at 09:41 AM
This is exactly where we were with Ben one year ago. He had been socialized quite a bit before that, so when Shannon dropped him off for his first day, he gave her a simple hug and kiss and said, in a nutshell, "See ya." Other kids (and mommies) were crying uncontrollably.
I'm sure Dex will love it and will thrive.
This makes me realize I forgot to mention Ben's own start of pre-school this year. We tried to get him into a three-day program this year, but like you we waited very late to pick a place. So, two days it is.
Posted by: Mark | Monday, 10 September 2007 at 10:18 AM
I just wanted to add that I, too, struggle with the religious aspect of the two-day pre-school Ben attends.
BTW, FYI... Lutherans are named after Martin Luther, who nailed his protests to the Catholic church on a door (or a wall, or something) a long, long time ago. Thus was born the protestant movement. I believe Baptists consider themselves protestants, but not all non-Catholic Christian churches do.
This is all from memory, but I'm pretty sure that's right.
Posted by: Mark | Monday, 10 September 2007 at 12:24 PM
Dixie, there's certainly a balance between preparing them to grow up and wanting them to stay the way they are. It doesn't seem to get any easier as we go along, that's for sure.
Mark, I first read part of your second comment as, "...nailed his protestors to a Catholic church..." which made me shake my head a do a double take. The details of Christian sects is just way too much for me to take much interest in, but you can sure see how so much of it was (and is) more politically motivated than spiritually.
Posted by: Simon | Monday, 10 September 2007 at 02:13 PM
How cool!
As Xavier's already spending 4 days a week away from us :( it feels like I've already done this nostalgia part (oh-so-early!)... I'd prefer to see him more (especially daytime when he's well rested and in a great mood, as opposed to evenings) and would love to know all that he's up to during the day with his pals, but at the same time it's really fun to see how they learn new stuff we wouldn't think to teach them, and from other kids also.
This can sometimes be seen with apprehension (all the bad behaviour they can learn from other kids, you know), but generally we've had a good experience. Xavier sometimes come home with new tricks; he had the funniest grin/grimace he kept doing tonight, I can't imagine we're the ones doing this silly grinning at him.
Plus, we're in luck : Xavier's babysitter really loves children (home-based daycare... not sure how you'd call it... one woman at home taking care of 5-7 toddlers). Plus, the kids she babysits seem like a pretty relaxed bunch - no screamers, no biters, no pushers, etc.
I'm sure Amy will miss Declan when he's gone at pre-school, but imagine how fun it will be when he comes back and tells you all about it. (Xavier doesn't talk yet, so we can just get the babysitter's account :( )
He'll also get to try new stuff and crafts. Two mornings a week ain't so bad :)
Posted by: Émilie B | Monday, 10 September 2007 at 08:31 PM
Jake began his Preschool career last week and it was indeed bittersweet seeing my baby such a big boy. The battle is now with my oldest, my grade 1, who had decided she does not want to grow up, school is no longer a social outing of painting and playdough. They actually make you sit and do work. Oh the horror.
Posted by: TerriTorial | Monday, 10 September 2007 at 10:02 PM