The "I HAVE KIDS, SO NOW WHAT?" thread

[Josh]

While I don't have any kids of my own (and I'm twenty, I couldn't do that full time. Some can, I absolutely cannot with a clear conscience) I take care of my almost three-year old brother and have been since he was nearly two months old.

The kid has a Nintendo 64 in his room and I absolutely love his enthusiasm when we 'play' Mario Kart. And by that, I mean, he loves hearing Mario shout "Mama-Mia!" whenever I get hit by shells, which is actually a lot. It's really encouraging and I hope he grows to have the same passion for gaming.

[BoneSnapDeez]

Y'all send your kids to preschool? I have enrolled my daughter in a Montessori school, beginning in the fall. Kid needs to get out of the house. She's never been supervised by someone who wasn't a blood relative. Hope she can adjust okay. Not thrilled about the tuition, but it's only for a year and I think she'll benefit greatly.

[Stark]

Y'all send your kids to preschool? I have enrolled my daughter in a Montessori school, beginning in the fall. Kid needs to get out of the house. She's never been supervised by someone who wasn't a blood relative. Hope she can adjust okay. Not thrilled about the tuition, but it's only for a year and I think she'll benefit greatly.

Yes, we send ours to preschool. I think the social aspect is especially good for them. Our kids have pretty much always had a sibling, but I would imagine "only child" children would benefit even more.

[TSTR]

I do wonder what I would have turned out like had they sent me to preschool...

[Ack]

I do wonder what I would have turned out like had they sent me to preschool...

Way less interesting, I'm sure. TSTR is the mad skillz, yo.

[Nyukki]

Dannyboy's off to kindergarten this September when he turns three. He's way spoilt, needs more outside social interaction.

He only behaves when I'm around, when I'm not at home he runs the show.

[8bit]

Y'all send your kids to preschool? I have enrolled my daughter in a Montessori school, beginning in the fall. Kid needs to get out of the house. She's never been supervised by someone who wasn't a blood relative. Hope she can adjust okay. Not thrilled about the tuition, but it's only for a year and I think she'll benefit greatly.

Yes, we send ours to preschool. I think the social aspect is especially good for them. Our kids have pretty much always had a sibling, but I would imagine "only child" children would benefit even more.

I'll echo Stark has said. My son who is 2 1/2 now has been in preschool since age 4 months. My wife and I love it because it allows us to work full time and he gets to learn, play, and be social with qualified educators.

My main advice is spend what you can afford and don't skimp on your childs early education. It may seem like preschool is just something to occupy a child's time but in reality its an opportunity for them to have a good safe environment with structured play, a learning curriculum and lots of additional nurturing. If you are looking a childcare facility that doesn't have a set learning curriculum, doesn't have age separated classrooms, or has TVs all over the place... don't put your kid there.

[Jagosaurus]

Y'all send your kids to preschool? I have enrolled my daughter in a Montessori school, beginning in the fall. Kid needs to get out of the house. She's never been supervised by someone who wasn't a blood relative. Hope she can adjust okay. Not thrilled about the tuition, but it's only for a year and I think she'll benefit greatly.

Keep in mind my kiddo is 13 months and I have one. We've been sending him to daycare since about 2 months old. The daycare is actually part of a local church, but it's a state of Texas certified learning center. My kiddo goes to chapel, reads often, gets structured meal time/snack, & get interactions with other kiddos. He starts Spanish at 2 yrs old and computer class at 3 yrs olf (both part of the structured curriculum).

When he does start elementary, the same daycare offers an after school program from 3:30p-6p where they get to work on homework, snack, & learn a bit more to meet the Texas curriculum standards to meet their certifications.

Overall, I've been happy. My kiddo is learning a lot. Mrs Jag & I have been teaching him sign language and the teachers are also encourage him at school too. Love it, he asked me for "more" "milk" yesterday. Putting together 2 signs at 13 months, was walking great at 11 months, and enjoys book time more than TV time. Daycare to thank for a lot of it. Sure there are parents dumping their kids off at the cheapest option & saying have fun. You're a great dad from what I've seen in your posts. I think it's important to keep teaching what you're doing now, and put them in a great teaching environment also.

At least tuition is tax write off :P

[TSTR]

I do wonder what I would have turned out like had they sent me to preschool...

Way less interesting, I'm sure. TSTR is the mad skillz, yo.

<3