Bean is a little older than 2 now. He's incredibly active and energetic. It's a challenge to keep up with him and to keep him entertained every day. Hubby and I are now considering two-day a week/summer camp then preschool at our local community center. They have a good program. It's $220 a month for preschool and $86 a week for summer camp. (Same thing, just more $ in summer, plus swim lessons on the agenda).
I'm considering it seriously because I feel like I'm not able to give him all the things he needs at home with me. He loves other kids and there are none around us. He needs constant running, jumping and playing, and I can't do more than an hour or so at the park due to his 5 month old brother, and my exhaustion. And I'm so stretched to my limits and tired, I'm not always good at coming up with ideas for activities or crafts or ABCs or anything.
A couple of days a week of art,music, playing, swimming, and learning with other kids might be just what he needs.
Any thoughts?
Considering preschool/summer camp
May 6th, 2010 at 05:46 am
May 6th, 2010 at 01:22 pm 1273148540
May 6th, 2010 at 01:24 pm 1273148672
May 6th, 2010 at 02:35 pm 1273152917
We actually had no plans whatsoever to utilize daycare or preschool, so young, but the personality of my oldest child changed that. Perks - a social outlet for him that didn't have to involve us introverts. (Play dates could cover the outlet but were too exhausting for us - not our thing). A break for the parents. & the third thing is my husband hates messes. So, I like how he got other outlets and exposure to other activites he wouldn't at home. They did a lot of MESSY things at preschool.
Likewise, I always got a lot of attitude from different places, about putting my kids in any preschool or care. Pfffft. I couldn't imagine anything better I did for my kids! Of course, fell in love with their preschool provider - like family to us. Which is our 4th perk since we don't have family real close.
Anyway, I have a lot of feelings on the subject, but if I had planned for it, I would have put my eldest in a child when he turned 1. Ended up having the money for it when he was about 3. Best money ever spent on our kids. (For my youngest, it was good for his shyness - he went to school with his brother for a time).
May 6th, 2010 at 03:10 pm 1273155014
If it is conducive with your child's temperament, do it! Two of mine sound similar to your Bean, and loved social outings and classes at the Y. The rest, well, not so much - they were more clingy and more into quiet activities like crafts and books and imaginative play. Good luck!
May 6th, 2010 at 05:21 pm 1273162877
May 6th, 2010 at 05:58 pm 1273165090
May 7th, 2010 at 02:08 am 1273194490
May 8th, 2010 at 04:58 am 1273291082
After some thought, We've decided to enroll him in preschool, but not the summer camp. We can probably keep him occupied all summer, especially because my mom is retiring and wants to take him overnight and for one day a week. She can take him to the pool and such.