DS starts pre-K and I'm so sad and anxious

[edurnemk]

DS, 2 yo 7 months old, starts Montessori pre-K on Monday (2 yo program). I cry every time I think about it. I keep second guessing our decision to send him to pre-K so soon. Are we rushing him? Is this the right decision?
We had planned to wait until he was 3, but he keeps asking to go to school so we decided to enroll him now (we took him to visit the school and he spent part of the day there, as a trial, he loved it). I know he wants to be around kids his age more, and he needs more stimulation. But another part of me feels terrible! I have to say I love the school, I'm very comfortable about our school selection. But is it normal to feel like this? My life has revolved around DS for the last 2.6 years, so this is a big change for me.

OTOH, I'll now have more free hours so I can work on more projects (I freelance for my previous empoyer) and we really could use that extra income for our savings, since we really ate into them to finance DH's graduate studies, plus a few months of unemployment after he graduated.

I'm especially sad today, since today was the last weekday I had with him at home FT. He's really excited about school, but he's my baby!

I know I'm being totally irrational, but I can't help feeling like this is it, DS's babyhood and toddlerhood are OVER! :crying:

[MamaMolly]

I'm in the same boat, only DD1 will be 4 soon and her school starts next month. I have many of the same feelings. Hugs, mama.

[smilequeen]

I think it's totally normal to feel that way. My 3 year old started toddler Montessori a year ago at 2, 3 mornings a week. I really second guessed myself. But that time for me to get things done while he was happy at school was really great. He loved school and he didn't have to watch me exercise or sit in a grocery cart :) He starts primary on Monday. That's 5 mornings a week which is also freaking me out, but I know he'll do great and I am going to start working 2 of those days again which will probably be good for me. So anyway, I'm used to it and it still sort of freaks me out. I mean, my oldest is starting K and that doesn't freak me out nearly as much (but he'll be 6 in November so it's a little different).

[BabyMine]

:hug: It's totally normal. The best part is that he loves it and wants to go. M has been going since he was 2.5y and he loved it (he starts K next week). You could always volunteer later on but I would give it a couple months for both of you to adjust.

[KpbS]

I think it's normal--I've been really sad about DS1 growing up lately. He started Kindergarten this week and I can't believe his preschool years are over. Such sweet times. Hugs, mama. You can always give it a try and and if it is too soon, start again later. There is no rush.

[edurnemk]

Thanks everyone!

I'm feeling a little more optimistic today. But I know I'll cry at drop off, LOL. I don't know about DS, though, he's really excited.

[edurnemk]

Well just as expected, I cried at drop-off and DS didn't. Well, I didn't cry in front of him, didn't want to upset him so I really fought back the tears until I got back in the car.

But DS did great, he did not cry at all. He was only there for an hour, since that's how they do it the first few days while they adjust. Since he did so well he gets to go for 1.5 hours tomorrow, and so on. I, of course, kept glancing at my watch every 2 minutes until it was time to pick him up but I was so relieved that he enjoyed it and was not scared even for a moment apparently. If he had cried I would've felt terrible.

DS actually didn't want to leave when I picked him up, he said he wanted to go play more with his new friends. After lunch, he said he wanted to stay home tomorrow, but later changed his mind and said he want to go to school again. So far so good. I'm pretty sure I'll be teary eyed tomorrow, too.

I think I'll go get a manicure while he's at school tomorrow to lift my spirits and take advantage of that 1.5 hours!