Preschool or Kindergarten, Which One?!

"Is she in preschool?" I can't tell you how many times I get asked this question about Cadence. Cadence has a late December birthday, so she is 4, which means she is eligible for Kindergarten in September. I don't know how that's possible, but it is!!

Many of you know, we have made the decision as a family that I stay home with the girls. Financially it has been a big adjustment. We are a family of 4, and my husband is a public school teacher. Guess what?! We make it work. We rent a 2 bedroom condo, my husband drives the first car I bought in college, our house is not beautifully furnished and we have financial help with the girls from my mom. We also, wouldn't have it any other way. I am home everyday raising and watching my two beautiful girls grow up. It works wonderfully for us. If this is not something that wold work for you, that is okay! This is a judgement free zone, and each family unit runs their own unique way!

So back to this hot topic of discussion, preschool and kindergarten! I have done so much research and asked everyone I know their opinions about preschool and kindergarten. I spent hours and hours researching preschools in and around my area. I was going to send her and that was that. We were going to make this big financial burden work, its just a year! Society says this is what we do. We send our kids to preschool at 3 and 4 and then they go to kindergarten. Right? After months of worry about this my husband and I came to a final decision.

Is Cadence in preschool and am I sending her to kindergarten. The answer to both of those questions is no. Cadence is very smart, and that is not just me saying that because I am her mom. I know if I sent her to kindergarten in the fall as a 4 year old, she would excel. However, in my own personal opinion I think 4 is two young to embark on your schooling "career." Once you start school, you are in it to win it for years and years to come. I want to allow my kids to be kids for as long as possible, and I am fortunate enough I can do so. School is different then it was when I went. Kids are more advanced physically and emotionally. Some have seen and heard things way beyond their years. I have chosen for Cadence to be one of the oldest when she starts school, not one of the youngest. This is all personal preference!

We are all individuals full of opinions and suggestions, I get a lot of them. "She's going to have a hard time adjusting in kindergarten if you don't send her to preschool." Yes, she may, but I am confident as her mom, that she will adjust very quickly. If I send her to preschool three days a week from 9 to 12, she still is going to have to adjust to being at kindergarten all day. Life is full of adjustments! "She is very smart, she should be starting kindergarten." Yes, she is, but there is a lot more to starting school then just academics. I have heard them all, and yes, I have my concerns about all of them, but in the end, her dad and I make the final decisions.

Why have I chosen to keep Cadence home and not send her to preschool? I have many reasons. I am fortunate enough to be home. I have been doing preschool with Cadence for a couple years now. We are a one income family and preschool is not cheap in Connecticut. What about socialization? Or separation from me? Cadence is in many programs with other kids with a teacher that she needs to take direction from. We have her very involved in all different activities, which we will continue to while she is home. She goes to one hour programs, and will be enrolled in some longer length programs next year. She loves her momma, but also loves being busy, she enters a class and never looks back!

For all you moms and dads struggling with this decision, this is your decision as a family. Everyone can feed us with every opinion and suggestion known to man. In the end, you make the decision that you believe in your heart is best for your child, and your family. That is what we have done. I am totally okay with whoever does not agree with our family decision. In the grand scheme of things, this is one decision of many many more we will need to make. I look forward to having Cadence home with me and Stevie for another year, learning and growing together!

I hope this helps, weather you are struggling with sending your little one to school, or keeping them home. In the end whatever decision you make, run with it, you made that decision for a reason!

#school #kindergarten #preschool #decisions #family #sahm