Full Day Kindergarten

All the days I took for granted, complaining and feeling like I wasn't SAHM material...growing tired of hearing everyone say how fast they grow, and now in 3 weeks my kids will be in school all day 5 days a week. Last year they were in preschool 3 mornings a week. So this is a big change for us, and I'm struggling! I feel like all our park outings, lazy days at home doing projects, and playing outside are over. Forever. I know I'm being dramatic, but I'm starting to feel like I didn't appreciate my time home with them enough and now it's gone. It's especially hard since these are my only kids. I don't have an older child that eased me into this, or another young one that will still be at home with me. I wish the school had a half day option, although I suppose the full day is better and I know my husband would have pushed for that route anyway if given the choice. Did anyone/or is anyone else struggling with this? How did you cope? I know I will adjust, but right now I'm just sad.

 

You'll still have afternoons and summer break. I went back to work when the girls were 2. We have full day k here and after half day prek it wasn't bad but today's k is like our 1st grade. They need to be there all day so they get everything they need

 

:hug: Denise. I am finding it to be a bittersweet transition. My twins are my first and last, so like you, there is no older one to ease the transition or a younger one that will still be home. This is it.

I am struck by how fast time flies. I cannot believe that my kids are going to kindergarten in a little over a month and they'll be there all day. I try to focus on though this is a change for me, it's a bigger change for them (they did go to preschool 3x a week but it was half day). So I am talking it up about all the fun things they will do, all they will learn, and the new people they will get to meet.

It's okay to be sad. Take your time to be sad. It's a transition and a further reminder that our kids are growing.

 

Oh heck, my girls are only doing half days 4 days a week + alternating Fridays and I feel similarly to you. It IS a huge transition and it will never be quite the same again. I also have an extra one who will be home with me but it isn't really making anything easier because it doesn't change the fact that the girls are moving on. The only thing I'm really doing to deal with it is to talk to my close mommy friends about how I'm feeling. It helps a bit. I also try to focus on the fun the girls will be having and that while it is sad it's also exciting - like all change. :hug:

 

My #5 is starting kindergarten this year and I feel the same way, actually I did with all of them. Its such a bittersweet time. At least for me I have the girls at home with me yet. When they start Kindergarten I'll probably have a nervous breakdown! lol

 

Our last two are starting this year (full day) and it hit me last night. I spent so much time wishing for this day and now that we're less than a month away from school starting, I'm desperately trying to enjoy every second with them. Blake was in K last year and he's been regaling them with stories of projects and field trips and friends, so I think that's been really helpful for Reese and Riley. They need to hear that it's going to be okay. But, every once in a while they ask me if I'M going to be okay all by myself. :lol:

The day really will go by quickly, though. You'll have the afternoons and weekends and holidays, and you'll get into a routine/rhythm with their schedule and see that you still have a lot of time. They are going to have SO much fun!

 

I was really worried about it last year, but it was great. When they get home, they are more excited to see you, you have weekends and holidays (and up here, snow days!). Plus, you get a little break, so you are more excited to do things with them.

It is so neat seeing them learn and grow and mature, you'll be so proud!

 

i'm having a tough time! i thought kindergarten was just going to be half day, and so when i registered them, i asked the principal when we find out if they are in morning or afternoon, and she said, "oh, it's all day kindergarten. you hit the jackpot!" and i was like, "wait, what?" last year my girls went to preschool only once a week, adn this past year, they didn't go at all, so they've been home every day. and i'm sad about the same things, too. no more projects, crafts, "school time at home"... their school "careers" are officially starting and yeah, i've complained about needing the break, but now that it's coming, i'm sad. it's so hard to be a mom, on so many levels

 

My two did full day pre-k last year, but I had a part time job during their school hours. This year, we've moved and I'm staying home. I'm anxious about things, but really looking forward to having the free time participate more in the school and class. Last year I went on field trips, but there were a few activities I missed. This year I'll be able to do more and I'm really looking forward to that.

They are both so excited!

 

Mom of the year award here but I CAN'T WAIT. They're always bored or whining because they want food (because they're bored). I think days will be more pleasant for all of us when we're not with each other all day every day.

 

First off many (((hugs))). Gosh I could have written that post a few years back. I felt the same way you are feeling now when my boys went off. I even called the school to see if there were 1/2 day schools available. I made sure to let the teacher know that I could volunteer any time. After all I had nothing but time on my hands. I did a lot of volunteering- helping with crafts, reading stories etc. She really appreciated the help and I loved still being able to be around my guys. You might consider doing something similar with your boys teachers. They were in separate classes so I did volunteering in one class one day then I did it in the other class the next day. If that isn't an option for you, perhaps you can take a class that you have been thinking about. I got our house back in order and organized but that only took a few days. After that I got super bored.
Try now to be thinking of ways to occupy your time. Make you like a bucket list for the school year to occupy your time. I have always hated the school breaks when they had to go back. I loved having them home again.

 

I'm glad I'm not the only one! How long did it take you to adjust? I did volunteer to help out at lunch/recess time a couple days a month. But I'm not real big on disciplining other people's kids, so it may not turn out to be the experience I'm looking for! Especially since it will involve lunch periods for the whole school on that day, not just when my kids are eating. But we'll see how it goes. Doing more specific things in the classroom could be more fun. I'll have to see what is needed as the school year gets started. I do have a lot of projects I'd like to get done at home. And organizing would be a great idea, and would take a lot longer than a couple days at my house! I do work from home, but I think it will be a little lonely. I like taking breaks and seeing what the kids are up to. The interruptions can get annoying, but I bet I'll grow to miss them. I'd like to either increase my work load, or maybe branch out and pick up something part time outside the home. I'll see how the beginning of the year starts though, before I give up some of my flexibility.

 

As the others said, I understand how you feel! Even though I have older kids, it's still a big adjustment! My two-some are going to half day pre-K this year and I'm nervous as heck! I'm going to be alone at home, with no children, for the first time in 11 year!! I got me a little doggie to help occupy my time

I plan to volunteer for everything I can! I'm also looking forward to being able to go on field trips with my older kids easier this year. Up until now I always had small children to take care of, it made field trips a little more challenging. I'm trying to remind myself that my kids will take their cues from me. If I drag my feet, if I let them know I'm upset about them going to school, it's going to start their school career off on the wrong foot. So i'm being careful to talk their whole experience up! Tell them how exciting this is, how much fun they are going to have! And meanwhile, in the back of my mind, I'm crying because I'm not ready for them to grow up!