I have two preschool aged children (ages 3 and 4), I have been sending them to preschool for three hours a day. I have been having my Grandmother take them because I babysit three other children from my house. Well, my Grandmother isn't going to be able to take them anymore (she is pretty sick and her van's motor blew up)...so now I have no way for them to go to school anymore.
I feel like a bad mom. It seems almost Taboo not to send your kids to preschool. Is it bad that they aren't going? I am figuring that I can teach them myself, but don't have the first clue how to start. They are both pretty smart and are learning their letters but my son needs to start to learn how to write. Any suggestions? I feel so bad that I can't send them to school anymore. They both really enjoyed it and are going to miss it. I feel like a horrible mother. I just don't know how I am going to teach them and watch three other babies at the same time!
2007-10-23 02:57:52 · 12 answers · asked by sunnysideup 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
I can't just stop babysitting. That is how I make income. Don't you think I would love to be able to stay at home without babysitting other's kids?? That isn't an option for me.
2007-10-23 03:12:02 · update #1
I do have a van, but not enough room for all the car seats! The mom's wouldn't like if I took their kids out everyday (I know I wouldn't like it if I were on the other side!)
Thanks for the great advice!
2007-10-23 03:14:29 · update #2
Well I have three children, two of which are in school now. I also babysit three children on top of that. I try to get all of the kids involved in learning, even if they're very young. There are many websites that let you print up work sheets for the kids. It helps a lot! I think preparing your child for school yourself doesn't make you a bad mom, it makes you a wonderful mom!! http://www.tlsbooks.com/preschoolworksheets.htm http://www.preschoolcorner.com/PrintableDownloads.html http://www.preschoolactivitybox.com/
2007-10-23 03:08:26 · answer #1 · answered by Sodie! 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Dont feel like a bad mother, your not, you care about them and care about doing what is best for them. Thats makes you a good mother. Is it possible to have the children you watch be dropped off at another time so you can drive your children to preschool? If not, then there is no reason in the world why you couldnt do exactly what the teachers at the preschool are doing. Just jump right in, teach them numbers, colors, the basics. You will probably do a better job then the preschool anyways because your children will be getting one on one attention from someone that loves them, and they will be socialized with the other children you watch.
2007-10-23 10:11:50 · answer #2 · answered by screw the rules 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I tried watching other kids while I stay home, and I lost that time with my own child cause I was consumed by the other kids. Does this preschool offer a bus or pick up service? Is there another parent you know that sends there child there or maybe you could ask the preschool to suggest a parent that would be willing to pick your kids up and get to know them and if you feel safe try that. Otherwise its up to you to find that time maybe if not during the day you'll have to do preschool activities at night when its quiet. Yea, they will miss playing with other kids, however maybe you could do play dates with kids in the neighborhood. Or if you attend church they can play in the nursery or bible class. Teaching preschool is really easy you can do it, it just takes time and you need to be able to do it at a time when you can devote 100 percent to them. My daughter is three and I just work with her its amazing how natural it comes. Incorporate some activities during the day while you watch babies, for instance when you make a bottle ask them questions about the color, whats in it why, how many ounces and so on. Make creative games or learning experiences out of taking care of the babies.
2007-10-23 10:12:16 · answer #3 · answered by lulu 1 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Preschool learning doesnt have to be during any certain time of day. You will be able to find the time to work with your own children and still provide day care to others. There are a lot of books and on line sites to help you to work with your children. It will be good experience for you since the others that you babysit will be getting to this age someday and then you will be able to offer them some preschool help too. If your local school district has Parents as Teachers,they will be more than happy to help you put together some ideas.
2007-10-23 10:08:49 · answer #4 · answered by Diane M 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Kids don't have to be in preschool and any child with good parents will learn from their environment so much. Do you read to your children every day? Do you count things to them occasionaly? I m sure you do these things already. Occasionally sit down with a piece of paper and draw out some letters for them to trace..."this is the letter a it says a " stuff like that. You are perfectly capable of teaching your child all he/she needs to know for preschool...Its preschool not college prep.. they will do fine. Do what you can and everything will be fine.
2007-10-23 13:18:11 · answer #5 · answered by kristi p 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have two girls ages 2 and 4. Preschool is mainly for the socialization. They will still get that with the kids you are watching now and you could do some teacher things like crafts. Your kids will be fine and don't forget they will be in kindergarten soon. Don't feel guilty. Us parent's gotta do what we gotta do.
2007-10-23 12:08:39 · answer #6 · answered by Jenn 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No you are not a bad mother. I think it is sad for them if they were enjoying it but they will be with you so it's not like you shipping them of to a nasty daycare. Do you not have your own car, I watched babies from my home for 7 years and still manged to get my kids to school, but I had my own car with plenty of room for my kids and car-seats for babies. If you can't make it work for preschool just work with your kids yourself at home until time for kinder-garden. Neither one of my kids attended preschool and they are very smart girls and do great in school. You will have to find a way to get them to school when it's time for kinder-garden though so you may want to start saving for a car or a bigger car.
2007-10-23 10:08:31 · answer #7 · answered by ME 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
OMG!
Whatever happened to SAHM???
And WHY do we SAH?
Because we want to TEACH them and have them learn from them and so you can have quality time with them and instead you are stuck with 3 kids who ARENT YOURS? that to me would be more of being a bad mom..
NO WAY! YOURE a great Momma! Whip out the old notebooks, coloring books, playdough, and your ingenious skills and save MONEY!!! Use your brain and teach and LOVE those babies. What do you think HOMESCHOOLING is all about?
We try to keep our kids from being mainstreamed into believing they have to "follow the crowd" It is all competition these days, be in soccer, basketball, buy this, that, do better at this, that...its ridiculous! JUST do your best , your best is the best!!! :)
2007-10-23 10:16:06 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
First of all...STOP FEELING GUILTY....You are doing the best you can for you and your children.....
Ok...now...just sit them down and explain what's going on to them...explain that Mommy cannot give them everything they want....and this is one of those times. I know it hurts to feel you are "denying" your children anything...but you aren't...and you are teaching them a valuable lesson..(you cannot always have everything you want)...
I understand wanting to give them a head start in school...maybe try some TV programs, DVD's, computer games or other games that are fun yet educational....this way they can learn some on their own...they will also feel a great sense of accomplishment by learning on their own....kids are more resilliant and capable of understanding more than we sometimes give them credit for....
Be creative...encourage your kids to be creative...there are ALWAYS options...
Give YOURSELF a break, Mom....I'm sure you're doing a terrific job...
2007-10-23 10:20:48 · answer #9 · answered by Toots 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
What is more important to you your children or somebody elses? i'd tell the mum's of the babies you look after that you need to take your children to school and you wont be able to look after their children anymore, they'll totally understand that your childs education is more important! sorry to seem like i'm being harsh but your on YA asking other peoples opinions and i'm just giving you mine!! good luck.
2007-10-23 10:07:27 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋