I don't like summer crowds (maybe because we have lost our kids so many times??) But, in general, I stay away from any place where I may have to smell be with lots of other people - museums, zoos, amusement parks. (We are the family that visited Disneyland in January during a rainstorm!) I haven't made the pilgrimage to the SF Academy of Sciences, and I have even avoided the new Seahorse exhibit at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
This was a big, big year this year in school-land. Though our girls have been attending preschool and pre-Kindergarten the last couple of years, I think they knew this was an extra special year. Kindergarten. A coming of age, of sorts. They now believe they’re BIG girls.
Their excitement was contagious and I couldn’t help but feel excited for them. For me, the transition was not a major one…emotionally, at least. I didn’t feel that tugging of the heart, that twinge of sadness that our girls were growing up. And I know it’s because they’d been in a full-time structured pre-school the last couple of years. The material they’ll cover is not much different from what they’ve already been learning, which is a good thing. Repeating such lessons at an early age can only help, in my opinion. No, my major worry was the schedule. They just went from a 6 ½ hour preschool day (plus a couple of hours of extended care) to a 3 ½ hour Kindergarten one. And so, like any family where both parents work, coverage was our main concern.
Another worry? The early start time for the morning Kindergarten session. 8:05 am. We’ve gotten quite used to the 9:00am start-time the last couple of years. Another hour earlier? Ugh. It would mean that *I* would have to do morning drop off. Every. Single. Day. My husband and mornings don’t mix well. So, I went for the afternoon Kindergarten session. It would mean that we’d have to pay a little more for extended care both before and after the Kindergarten session but I knew it would be worth it. Besides, this would be the only year we could put off that 8am start time. From first grade and on, we would have to join the rest of the early morning elementary school crowd.
On Tuesday, August 25th, my twins Ben and Lily had a big day
- they headed to kindergarten at our neighborhood public school. It was
an exciting morning! The First Day of School Fairy came (thank you for
the idea Makes and Takes!)
and brought the kids new lunchboxes, thermoses, some craft projects and
Peanut M&Ms for an after school treat. We jetted off on scooters to
settle in and get introduced. It was a bit disorganized - no true
kindergarten orientation and we got the schedule for the morning at
10:30 as we were leaving...a nice memory, would have been nice to have
that BEFORE the morning began! But all in all, a successful initial
start.
Ben and Lily are in separate classes and Jeff took Lily to her class, while I started in Ben's. I teared up a little as Ben's teacher read "The Kissing Hand" (one of our favorite books that we've had for a long time, courtsey of Nana Sandy)...not really because they were going to kindergarten, but it was sort of a twin parent moment. I wanted to soak in Ben's first day, but I was also a bit sad to be missing Lily's first moments. It is always hard to feel pulled in two different directions with twins (oh, the guilt!). But, as it turned out, Ben's teacher was quick to turn us parents loose, while Lily's teacher took her time, so I was able to luckily make it over to Lily's class and hear her teacher read "The Kissing Hand" as well (and to get my special kiss!). Having Ava there as well complicated things just a bit, but she was very patient and excited to see what this kindergarten was all about, so it was fine.
Continue reading "Back to school: Ben and Lily's first few weeks of kindergarten is a mixed bag" »
I am one of the few crazy people who signed up at two parent participation
schools. Both kids in both schools. Yes, I know. CRAZY. Let me
explain.
My kids (and I) were in the Together Time program at Explorer Preschool and one of the added bonuses (which I didn't initially realize) is that we had priority placement in the 2's class. Yippee! At the same time, I felt responsible for checking out other programs and schools in the area and had always heard rave reviews for the Los Gatos Saratoga Observation Nursery School (aka the Mountain School) so we attended the family open house and submitted an application.
This is where I should insert my rant: it truly annoyed me to be making pre-school decisions for my children when they were ~20 months old. Both Explorer and Mountain School are difficult to get in to for the 3's class (I was told 'virtually impossible' at Mountain School) so I felt like wherever we ended up for our 2's class would most likely be where the kids would be going to pre-school for the next 3 years. I abhor the rat race mentality and here I was, embarking down a road that felt very, very rat-race-ish. Mostly, I felt like I had so much more to learn about each of my children's very different personalities and learning styles and it was difficult to make a decision for them. What kind of environment would they best thrive in?
Continue reading "Two Parent Participation Preschools? Call me crazy. " »
My twins, Angelina and Madeleine, go to preschool. But they stay in the car. Their older sister attends Challenger. Challenger is a circle pick-up and drop-off. This is a life saver. It would not be fun to strap three children into the car, park, take all three out, walk to the classroom, drop off one child, walk back to the car, strap two in, then leave. Not to mention doing the same routine in opposite order for pick-up time! (Doesn’t just thinking about it exhaust you?)
While I don’t have experience in having multiples in preschool, I have learned two practical factors to consider in choosing a preschool:
I felt the slight sting of her eyes, the disbelief. I rambled
on...separate classes, last minute decision, it was the least bad choice. I
felt uncomfortable and apologetic. What had I done?
Oh, I might as well say it. I put two 4-year-olds in kindergarten..
4-years-old and in...the new first grade kindergarten.
I KNOW! For shame, I'm a bad mom. My boys will fail. They'll slow down the system, siphoning off a teacher's precious time. It's not like I'd gone into this not knowing. I KNEW the stakes. I'd done the research. I'd queried friends. I'd watched my boys' behavior over the summer, searching for signs of kindergarten readiness.
For the uninitiated, kindergarten readiness has more to do with social readiness than academic readiness. Teachers can bring kids up to speed academically, but they can't teach maturity. My boys are bright and hit most of their milestones early - it's not that. It's mostly because of their age and the plethora of negative anecdotal evidence which abounds.
Save for one family, nobody in my circles, it seems, puts a 4-year-old into kindergarten. I am the odd one out.
Continue reading "Making the Least Bad Choice: 4-year-olds in Kindergarten" »
As a parent in a parent participation preschool, starting school again is not only exciting for my kids, but for me as well! I have been missing the other parents that I have gotten to know so well last year in the 2's class and then I had a chance to meet some new parents during summer school. So this year in the 3's class we will all be together and I can't wait to get back! I have come to rely on the school community very much - the parents are some of my closest friends and the teachers' experience and knowledge about child development has forever changed me as a parent.
We started at Explorer Preschool when the twins were only 19 months old in a Together Time for Parents and Toddlers class. A few other Gemini Crickets families were enrolling their twins, as well as several close friends of mine who had a child the same age. It was a great way to get out with the kids in a preschool setting with other moms that I knew while getting some much needed parent education in the process. Being a former teacher myself, I just couldn't get enough of this school! I felt completely welcomed there and I embraced the child-centered play-based philosophy immediately. I had so many questions about my own toddlers' development and throw in the fact that I had TWO toddlers going through the exact SAME stages at the SAME time made this program a sanity life saver.
School starts in a week for my kids (well, truth be told, we are going to miss the first day of school by squeezing in one last vacation!) Last year my kids went to preschool for the first time, and they really blossomed.
Legions of multiples have headed back to school this month. Some went to preschool. Others to kindergarten. Others to grade school and beyond. Some are in separate classes while others have been kept together. From parent participation schools to public schools to catholic schools, our multiples are out there learning. It's been a learning experience for us parents as well. Some of us can't bear to be without our children at our side, while others are doing the "drop and flee". We're learning the ins and outs of new schools. Some of us are in our childrens' classrooms, poking around and staying involved. Others of us are working full time. A few of us public school kindergarten moms are shocked - shocked! - that as soon as we arrive with our children at school, the doors slam shut and we have no idea what's going on inside that classroom. Some children recount their entire day, while others remain mute. Some children divulge information in fragments.
So this week on Mad About Multiples, since our children are back in school, we're using those precious extra hours to talk about back-to-school.
We are hoping to get a new post up every day... we'll see!
Original post to Mad About Multiples.
Recap September 22, 2009Whew - We got through back-to-school! Some of us sent twins off to preschool while some of us sent twins to kindergarten. Either way, It's nice to be back into a routine!
Here's what we discussed:
Pam loves her co-op preschool, worms and all: Back to preschool, Yeah or Boo.
Amy isn't sure who loves preschool more: Who Loves Preschool More, Me or Them?
Akemi second guesses her every move: Making the Least Bad Choice: 4-year-olds in Kindergarten.
Daphne quickly gets use to curbside drop-off: The Convenience Factor of Preschool.
Amy M. likes to be busy: Two Parent Participation Preschools? Call me crazy.
Linsey looks back: Ben and Lily's First Few Weeks of Kindergarten is a Mixed Bag.
Linda is relieved: One Year's Reprieve.
Nora LOVES back-to-school: Back to School? Back to the Museums!!!
Original post to Mad About Multiples.
Seems to be that time of the year again...the great debate looms large for many of us parents of multiples. Should we or shouldn't we separate our twins (or more!) in school? For many of us with kids in preschool, it has never really been an issue as many of the schools only had one classroom anyway. But now, they're about to enter Kindergarten and the questions come up from every direction it seems - from other parents, from current schoolteachers, from the school administration.
I swear that a few years ago, fellow moms with twins around the same age as mine had all sworn that we would keep our twins together in the same class come that crucial year – Kindergarten! We were armed with research and statistics that indeed, keeping twins in the same classroom in Kindergarten would certainly help, not hurt them…as many misinformed, misled school officials would have you believe. In fact, there is no research that proves that separating twins at Kindergarten would improve their sense of self, individuality. This idea was put forth by a psychologist based solely on his personal opinion, with no research or experience to back it up.
Many school officials somehow took this as gospel and instituted, albeit unwritten, policies that all twins must be separated at Kindergarten. Well, this has irked many a parent of multiples. And at parents of multiples clubs like Gemini Crickets, members have made sure that other members with younger twins know that this “policy” is bogus and certainly something you, as the parent that knows your multiples better than anyone else, should know and challenge, if necessary.
So, there I was, standing with fellow moms of twins (figuratively speaking, of course), ready to take on the battle. Armed with the knowledge and links to related research, I was biding my time until my girls reached that age. But now, as I look to each side of me, I find I am alone. Many of my fellow twins parents have all but abandoned the fight. What happened?
Continue reading "Separate Or Together – For Our Twin Girls, The Answer Is Together" »
Just in time for Easter, twin baby chicks were born at my kids' preschool. It is only fitting, as there are 8 sets of twins at our school this year! Both are black with yellow dots on their heads and are eating and sipping water in their new home with a 'mother light'.
We will be welcoming them in the science room, once Teacher Konne brings them into school tomorrow. They will be able to be handled in about a week...gently.
When I was 5 years old, my mother enrolled me in kindergarten at our neighborhood
school. I'm sure she didn't poll her friends to see if they'd be enrolling their age eligible kids in kindergarten because for the most part, she already knew.
Most of her friends were also enrolling their children in kindergarten at their
neighborhood public school. If we were age eligible, we went. It's just how it was done back then, at least in our middle class California neighborhood. Sure, a few
went the private school route and a few more enlightened parents held
their autumn birthday children (especially boys) back a year; but in
doing so, they didn't conduct a massive search to find the "perfect"
kinder prep program in the frenzied manner we do today. In fact, the
children I know who sat out that first year, did most of the sitting
out at home, playing with their siblings. Had I been born an October baby, I'm quite certain my parents would have enrolled me in kindergarten nonetheless and off to kindergarten I might have marched, a shy 4-year-old who might not have been quite ready.
My boy-girl twins are now in pre-kindergarten. It is their last year of preschool. But today I've been thinking about some firsts in their preschool days. One pretty big milestone that I remember was their first ever preschool field trip that took place last spring. In the days and weeks leading up to it, I
really thought this was going to be no big deal - well, it was a big
milestone, but I honestly didn't think they would have any problems with it. From the
photos, it looks like they had a great time, but...
Let me take you through the morning.
Continue reading "The First Preschool Field Trip for the Twins" »
Often I hear about summer ending, school starting again and moms having
more time to themselves as a result, since their kids having been home
all summer long. My family has chosen to be involved in a parent participation (co-op) preschool. And this year, I am a
"triple parent," having all 3 kids in the school. I will be working 2
and sometimes 3 days per week in their classroom. This is how the
classroom duties line up: my 4.5 year old twins will be in their class
4 afternoons a week (I have to work in the classroom 2 of those days -
usually it is only once a week, but having twins....it is double the
work for this mommy!) and my 2-year-old will in a 1 day a week class,
in which I have to work once every other week in the classroom.
This might seem crazy or stressful -
Continue reading "Slowing down as we head back to (co-op) school" »
It's the last week of August and we decided to do our summer vacation now, that is, our annual trip to Norway to visit my husband's side of the family. We timed our trip for that 2-week long break between their summer pre-K school and fall sessions. We figured that most of the relatives and friends that we visit should be in town since we were getting so close to the start of school instead of being off at their cabins in the mountains or catching the last warm rays of sunshine at the beaches down along the southern coast. Uh, whoops. Some started school last week. Others started this week. But they are certainly all home!
Our girls' cousins range in ages from 1 to 15 years old, with the majority in the 4 to 5-year old set. It's more complicated to compare school systems, including preschools, than you think but the one that sticks out in my mind is the cost. Mind you, Norway really is more family-oriented than the States in many ways and I can't help but feel envious every time I hear about another woman on maternity leave (earning 80% of her salary for 12 months or 100% of her salary for 10 months *and* the husband being *required* to stay home for 2 months on paternity leave at full pay!) while her company maintains her position and awards her advancement (i.e., promotions and increased pay!) during her absence. (Yes, fodder for another post!) But a few years ago, they passed a law that essentially limited the maximum amount a barnehaugen (preschool) can charge per child (after all, they are private schools here as well). US$300 per child, per month. Can you believe that? Times two for my twins and that's US$600 per month, per child. Uh. Wow. We easily pay 4 times that for our girls. The rest of the school costs (if there is more to the costs per child in that particular school) is subsidized by the government. Must be nice living in such a wealthy country.
Continue reading "One Last Year of [Preschool] Tuition - Thank Goodness" »
Thanks to all who participated in our Mad About Multiples back to school giveaway last week! We'll be taking more about going back to school this week on the blog, so stay tuned!
Congratulations to Daneya who won the "Peek-a-Zoo" from Little Scholastic. Here's what Daneya did for her summer vacation: "The sunny, playful summer goes by oh so fast! We spent our summer enjoying the sunshine and longer days by spending our afternoons taking walks in the neighborhood, going to the zoo and expending the endless energy of our 3 year olds at the park. Our boys saw fireworks for the first time for the 4th of July. The booms were scary at first, but as soon as they discovered the world of sparklers, there was magic in their eyes." How sweet!
And congratulations to Lenora who won the BusyBodyBook family calendar. Lenora is looking forward to using the BusyBodyBook to assist in organizing the activities of her four boys! Lenora told us that "this summer we stayed in a tree house at the TreeResort in Oregon. Our whole family stayed several days in the Swiss family tree house complete with trap door and swinging tree rope. They had a blast on the zip lines and riding horses!" Wow, that sounds like so much fun!
Daneya and Leora will also receive a gift card for 50 free prints from Snapfish.
Thanks for taking part in the Mad About Multiples back to school giveaway. And...look for more great giveaways soon, as we look forward to our upcoming New and Expectants Parent Meeting on Equipment on September 9th.
Very soon we are headed back to school and we have some great giveaways for you parents of multples!
For the babies and toddlers (age baby-3), we are giving away a book called "Peek-a-Zoo" from Little Scholastic. You might remember Scholastic from your own days at elementary school, where you got the monthly ordering form you took home to your parents and they would let you choose a few great books. THEN when the books came in, your teacher would call your name to come get your new books on horses or Benji movies or scratch n' sniffs (yummy eggnog... toxic?) or whatever it was you were into that particular month...ah, those were the days...Anyway, Scholastic has a new member of their family called “LITTLE SCHOLASTIC” which is a line of books for children newborn – age 3. These whimsical,
colorful and playful books introduce the littlest of children to
the world of reading. Each book offers bright and wonderful
pictures for children, and gives parents tips on how to read this
book with your child, to maximum the learning benefits from every
page. You can visit Scholastic to learn more about these and other great books: www.scholastic.com/parents.
And we have something for the parents of school-aged multiples too. Are you driven insane with trying to keep track of your twins (and maybe other kids) activities, not to mention those of yourself, your spouse or other members of your family? BusyBodyBook has a solution for you. BusyBodyBook family calendars provide each family member with their own
column to organize and track their schedules and activities while
coordinating with each other side by side.
Each winner will also receive a gift card for 50 free prints from Snapfish. Print some of your favorite summer vacation photos (you can read about some of our travel adventures here) or some cute back to school shots or your newborn bundles or joy or whatever you wish.
To enter to win...read on...
Continue reading "Mad About Multiples GIVEAWAYS for Back to School" »
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