The end of an era

[SueC]

Well, I've been frantically calling mother's day out programs to find something for my two girls--the youngest needs to go so I can work (she is only 17 months and I cannot accomplish anything while she is awake) and our oldest one is going for social reasons (she is 3 and after a year of going to the same story hour she is STILL not participating--sticks to me like glue which now seems to be rubbing off on her little sister). So, after making a ton of phone calls I got a phone call from a preschool that is excellent--I put her name on the waiting list over a year ago and then completely forgot about it. I talked to my husband and we decided to go for it, so now instead of sending her one or two days a week, she will be attending preschool 4 mornings a week starting this Fall! I think it will be good for her--but at the same time I am totally doubting myself. I'm going to find a program for her until this Fall that is less intense to get her used to being away so it won't be such a shock to her. It makes me so sad though to think that she is growing up so quickly! Sorry to go on and on--now I'll probably start yearning for another baby to cuddle!

[PrincessFiona]

era

Sue,

I think I posted an identical thread a few months ago, believe it or not...I know exactly how you feel. You've probably followed my baby hysteria too Alex just turned 4...that's it....I have a second grader, a first grader..and..my baby isn't a baby anymore. He used to tell everyone his name was bubus....or..poopkie (long story ) and now he staunchly refuses to be called anything except Alex or Alexander Suddenly, everyone around me seems to be pregnant or to have just delievered an abosutely perfect little baby 8) and....I've been going nuts

What made me realize though that perhaps my baby-having days are over was actually something that jumped up and surprised me. Alex's preschool was having Fall registration and I went into the office to register for him again for the fall...thinking I'd do the same Tues/Thurs. morning kind of a thing. The woman there told me that they has a couple of more openings in their Mon-Thurs.(4 mornings a week) class and I signed him up without thinking or feeling guilty....I walked to the car thinking about all of the things that I was 'finally' going to be able to do and then it hit me..THUD....that I was past the baby stages...it's just my heart that won't catch up

Kris

Parenting can be so bittersweet! I haven't quite gotten to where you are yet. My youngest is still only 2 and a half but it's like he's going on 5. Actually recently (uh, like last week) I actually thought I was pregnant because DH and I had been going through a difficult time and then made up and you know how potent make-up sex is - okay too much information... ANYWAY, for the few days when I thought that I was pregnant, I was half "oh, man, I'll never go back to work now!" and half "ohh, I'm gonna half an itty bitty baby!" But I have so enjoyed being at home with my children that when the time comes I don't think I'll feel too guilty for picking up with my life where I left off. After all, it's not like you ever stop being a mom, you know?

I had a friend who put her twins in preschool and told me, "You know, I was actually very sad...for about 30 minutes!"

[SueC]

Thanks guys--I am starting to feel better about the whole thing but I keep hemming and hawing about it. On the one hand, if Maya is spending 4 mornings a week at preschool, then I will have more one on one time with Sydney, which I have never had so I think in the end it will be a great opportunity for all of us. I ran into another mom in the neighborhood that goes to the same preschool and she will still be there next year so I'm really excited that she will already have a buddy there. Bittersweet is the perfect way to sum it up. It is exciting and sad all at the same time! It will be really cool to see her come home having learned and experienced so many new things. For right now, basically 90% of what she learns comes from me, or things I have exposed her to and lately I feel like I'm not doing quite enough for her.