12 Days of Reflection - #7: Pre-School

Decision #7: Enrolling our son in preschool

All the classes together for their Christmas PJ party :)

This is something we both really really wanted to do for our son.  Our mothers have been so amazing providing care for our son for the past three years, but now they are doing the same for our daughter, and, to be fair, our son is a handful!  They needed a break.

Even if I were a stay-at-home mom, we would want our children in preschool.  They learn so many things - how to sit still, how to use a public bathroom, how to listen to a speaker in a group, how to walk in a line - things for which home isn't really a great setting.  But most importantly to us, he is receiving exposure to other people.  He is learning how to take turns.  He is learning how to share.  He is learning how to interact with peers and with authority figures.  He is learning what behaviors are acceptable and which ones aren't.  In short, he is learning how to be a functional part of his society.

And he is learning to care for his friends.  One night we were praying and, with no prompting, he says "And dear Jesus, please help Easton because he is sick."  I don't mind telling you that I got a little teary.  He saw a need in a friend and brought it to Jesus.  Already, my little 3-year-old is working for the kingdom.  And isn't that the ultimate goal?

I'm sure there are people who would argue that you don't need preschool to teach these things, and I'm sure, for some people, that's probably true.  But for us, this is definitely one of the best decisions of 2013.

Oh, and have I mentioned that he LOVES it????  He loves his friends, Miss Jesse and Miss Stephanie, and all his other teachers.  A huge THANK YOU to these wonderful ladies for all they do for our sweet kiddos.  Do you see in the picture that behind the kids is a fireplace made from butcher paper with stockings hung on string from the ceiling?  They definitely go above and beyond for these kids.  If something happened suddenly and he couldn't go to preschool, that kid would be devastated.  And so would we!