Can someone reassure me I'm not depriving A?

belle204

I don't know why I was thinking about this last night as I was falling asleep but sometimes I feel like I'm short-changing A. She's not in preschool, MMO/MDO, any activities or classes, no play groups. I'm going to try to get her into at least one thing so that she can get out more, have some structure and have more socialization other than random kids at the park. I keep telling myself that she's healthy, fairly smart for her age and happy. That's all that really matters, right?

kevschickee2

you are 100% right. That is all that matters.

Mrs.JDD

As long as she's happy, then yes, you are doing all you need to do.  She's still little  

However, I will offer a little advice, since I work with Kindergarten students.  It is important to get her into some kind of activity or preschool (preschool is huge) later this year, once she's four, or almost four.  Since she has an October birthday I'm assuming that she'll be going to Kindergarten next year, a little bit before she turns 5.  It's okay to be on the younger side for K, as long as they have had some time away from Mom ahead of time.  Especially in September when school starts, there is a ginormous difference between the kids who have gone to pre-K and the kids who stayed home with Mom.  Of course, by the time first grade rolls around, it's not like there is a glaring difference between kids who went to pre-k and kids who didn't, but I know I want to give my kids the best possible start and early school experience possible, kwim?  I'm not trying to butt in where I don't belong, just sharing what I see at school! 

niecy

I don't think you are depriving her. It does help their social skills though to get into some kind of structured activity or pre school at least once a week. I think the closer she gets to kindergarten the more crucial that will be though.

belle204

MrsJDD--- she actually won't be starting K until she's almost 6. AL has a Sept. 1 or 2 cut-off.

Thanks. She's def. going to be doing something as soon as we find a good fit for us (time and budget-wise). And, she's most def. going to be going to preschool. I still remember how much I loved preschool... whether I learned anything is a diff. story. ;-)

Mrs.JDD

I actually think it's a lot better to start K the following year!!  I see way too many kids that are just too young for K, too many 4 year olds...NY has a December 1 cut-off, so there are kids who start K and don't turn 5 until November...and many times, they really stand out as being so much younger than everyone else.  I'm glad you are planning on doing the preschool thing, and as long as you are doing that, then I would not worry for one second about what she does in the time before preschool starts   I hope my first message didn't upset you at all...I really just wanted to share my experience with the little ones and what I see.

belle204

Oh, it didn't upset me at all! I completely see what you're saying and appreciate the feedback. I try to do as much with her as possible but I always get that mommy guilt that she's not jumping off the cliff with all the other kids. Kwim?

Jelliebean1982

I think it's awesome that you are letting your DD have that extra year with you.  I think that in our society it's seen as better to get your kids involved in more activities and schedule their time, but I'm not sure it's all that it's cracked up to be.  I don't think it makes a difference in how smart your kids are or how much they will make when they are older. 

Mrs.JDD

I'm so with you on the mommy guilt thing...I feel it constantly!  A is very lucky to have such a great mommy like you, who worries and wants to do the best for her.  Not all kids are so lucky!

hopefulmom

I'm jumping in late but a good place to start allowing her to be a little more independent and "social" is at church.  Find one that has a great preschool program.  The church we attend has a different class just for 2-3 year olds and then 4-5 year olds, then 1-3, 4-6, and so on.  They are only there for 1 hour.  They have story time (Bible story obviously), snack time, and lots of toys and social interaction.  They learn to take turns and wait for things.  It is a great transition to pre-school and it is only once a week for an hour.

ithadtobeyou

You're not depriving her!!!!!!!!!  I think it's totally silly that people these days think your kid has to have "socialization" groups before school.

My siblings and I did not, and I can assure you the 3 of us turned out to be fine. In fact, my bro and I are social butterflies.

She'll be fine.