The Art Of Doing Nothing

{So a while back I know I briefly mentioned that I am tired of people asking me 

why Charlotte is not in preschool. Here is the rest of that story....}

I am asked regularly why Charlotte is not in preschool.

Seriously.

Not just if she is in preschool but why she isn't going.

She turns four next week so she could be going this year, right now.

But she's not. She will go next year, just for one year, like her brother did.

By our choice.

There are two main reasons why she is not going to preschool this year:

               1. I don't think she needs it

2.  I am taking full advantage of this one year we have together, just the two of us, 

 before she is in school.

Now,  let me clarify a couple of things.

By saying I don't think she needs preschool I don't mean that I think she is way smart

 or ahead of other kids her age or that she could not benefit from school, I am sure she could. 

I personally do not think that preschool is necessary for any

 type of future success later on in school for her, or Wyatt.

And what we are doing at home, and the time we have together, just the two of us,

 is the biggest benefit I see in her not going to school this year.

And selfishly, very selfishly, I relish in having one more year where I am not 

chauffering two kids to two different places, just for two hours of preschool. 

Oh, but back to me being annoyed by these comments...

I realize most kids this age are in preschool so asking if/where

 she is goes is completely natural, I get that.

 But I am talking about people (usually other mothers) asking me why she isn't going

 and looking at me like it is really that weird.  I don't think it is weird at all and
as a matter of fact the weird thing to me is that you think it's weird.

Someone asked me the other day if I didn't want the break that having her in 

school a couple hours a day would bring. 

Do I want a break? 

Of course I want a break. 

Don't all working mothers, either in the home or away, want a break? 

Of course we do.

I have also had people ask what we do all day.

Really? This, too, kind of surprises me.

Probably the same things most people do, I guess.

We run errands, we play, read books, bake, go to the park,

 take walks, do laundry, watch movies, play dress-up, ...we just hang out.

She goes to ballet one day a week.

And that's about it.

A while back I ran into someone at the store

 and after a very brief discussion on preschool, 

  she gave me her number so she we could get together so "Charlotte could have something to do".

And this is someone who I only consider an acquaintance, not a friend. 

It made me feel like she felt bad for her or that she thought we must be bored out of our minds.

To me, that is weird.

I think that as a society we feel like we always have to be doing something.

Going somewhere.

That kids have to be in something.

They constantly need to be entertained.

Like learning and playing at home and hanging out isn't enough.

Why is this not enough?

And now for my disclaimer on this subject:

I think preschool can be a wonderful thing.

I worked in the Public Schools here for many years (up until the last two)
 and have the utmost respect for teachers and staff alike. 

I don't think it's bad if you choose to send your child to preschool for

 two years, one year,  or not at all.

I also do not think that you shouldn't have your child in extra-curricular activities

 but I think sometimes, some of it,  can be too much...

for both the kids and the whole family.

I know those years will come, fast enough, but for now I am hanging on to these

 quieter days as long as I can. 

*******

If you read that far, thank you.

I have more to say but I will stop here for today. 

Happy Wednesday folks, the week is half over!