Harper's Index: First Day of Preschool Edition
4 - Number of days until Milo and Huck start preschool.
3 - Number of children I'll have enrolled in that preschool.
0 - Percent discount the school gives me for enrolling 3 children.
60 - Number of dollars per month that they offered me off the monthly tuition to be a "co-op parent."
120 - Number of dollars per month I would have to pay a babysitter to watch my children while completing my "co-op parent" duties.
3 - Number of times Annabella's teacher has tried to reassure me that Milo and Huck are ready for preschool by saying, "If they're anything like Annabella, they'll be fine."
0 - Number of times this has reassured me.
4,587 - Number of times I've used "You're not going to get to start preschool in January" as a threat to stop Milo and Huck from doing something.
0 - Percent chance that I will follow through on that threat.
1- Number of angry mothers who have called the preschool to find out if "those twins" are enrolling.
4 - Number of real hammers the school has out for the children to use to hammer real nails into a tree stump.
30 - Number of seconds Huck was holding the hammer before he decided to try to hit Milo with it.
0 - Number of hours all three of my children will be in preschool at the same time.
24 - Number of trips I'll have to take (there and back) to preschool to pick up and drop off per week.
3 - Number of days per week that each child will be in preschool.
3 - Number of hours per school day that each child will be in preschool.
100 - Percent chance that I will cry after I drop them off the first time.
Love it! Thanks for the smile and good luck.
Posted by: TamaraG | January 03, 2008 at 07:06 AM
Megan: this is a great post. Sums up how every parent feels sending their kids to preschool. (And, gives us all a little more insight to your crazy world!) I hope you highlight this on the podcast!
Posted by: Caron Arnold | January 03, 2008 at 07:11 AM
Why do they have to go to preschool?
Posted by: Mark | January 03, 2008 at 12:22 PM
Good question. They absolutely don't have to go to preschool. But I'd like them to try it so they can get some socialization with other kids besides their siblings. It's a very nurturing place.
Posted by: Megan | January 03, 2008 at 12:25 PM
Why do they have to go to preschool?
Posted by: Mark | January 03, 2008 at 12:25 PM
Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for reassuring me that I'm not the only parent who makes idle threats. Each day I resolve to stop, and each day I fall right back into it the minute my four-year-old son and I start to battle. Where did I ever get the idea that I was in charge?
Posted by: Karen | January 04, 2008 at 10:41 AM
I think the guilt you are feeling is appropriate. Milo and Huck would rather have adventures with their mommy than playing at a pre-school. They'll be plenty of time for socializing as they grow older. And who better to nurture the twins than Megan.
Posted by: Mark | January 04, 2008 at 10:50 AM
The only thing worse than hearing your kids cry for you after leaving them at preschool for the first time is after a month or so when they just run away and play after you drop them off, forgetting you all together.
If anyone wants to know what it's like for a single parent with three kids, try watching the new Alvin and the Chipmunks movie. That's exactly how I feel most days, just like Dave, except for me it's BBRREEEENDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN!!!!!!!!
Take care all, and have a great 2008.
Posted by: Paul Cyopick | January 04, 2008 at 10:53 AM
Karen - I am the queen of idle threats. My other tactic is to make up something I didn't intend to give them anyway when I know they're not going to obey me. Come to think of it, that's kind of an idle threat too.
Posted by: Megan | January 04, 2008 at 02:51 PM
An angry mom really called to complain about the twins going to preschool? And they have 4 real hammers? You were just 100 percent kidding about that right? Maybe the angry mom should call about the hammers. Oh yeah, and the nails. And the poor tree. Tree abuse I tell ya! That should give her some complaining material for awhile. :)
Posted by: JLynn | January 05, 2008 at 08:14 PM
Hammers? Is it a Reggio Emilia-style school (named after a town in Italy)? One of the philosophies of Reggio-style schools is that they think children should have access to authentic tools -- even if they use said tools to hit their brothers.
Posted by: Sarah | January 06, 2008 at 02:50 PM
Wait... I want to know more about the angry mother who called in asking about your kids! WTF is that about?!
Posted by: Erin | January 07, 2008 at 03:50 PM