A Ship of Their Own
Less than a week to go now until my little pirate crew takes its first shore leave; Mad Dog Evie, Red Scarlett and Jem Lad will set of on an adventure of their own, away from the watchful eye of Captain Dad.
You see, pre-school begins next week. For three hours each day, my three girls will be experiencing their first taste of school life, with all its highs and lows, unfamiliarities and excitements. And all without me or J there to watch out for them. I’m sure the fact that there’s three of them should make me worry less, but it doesn’t. They’re still so young. Only a few weeks ago they were still two years old.
And it seems so unfair that I should be losing them already. Their due date was in September. But by being born prematurely in August, they have jumped ahead a whole school year. That’s one less year of piratical plundering, one less year of fun, one less year I get to keep them to myself.
And I know it’s selfish to not want the bubble around us to be popped. They’ll probably love the whole experience. We have fun at home but don’t get to draw, paint, glue and cut as much as I’m sure they’d like to. Pre-school will give them an environment where they will get to engage in activities I’m often just too busy to supervise.
And they can make friends, learn, be stretched. Learn independence.
And then, one day, far away in the future, they’ll sail away, find their own first mate, recruit a crew of their own.
3 Responses to 'A Ship of Their Own'
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Its not selfish at all to want your children around you,it baffles me how in this country children start so young compared to say Sweden or Norway where I hear they start as late as 7! My girls Eleanor & Madeleine were born a few weeks before yours also with a due date of September, I used to post on Tamba back then.I am visiting 2 schools in the coming weeks to see which one I prefer but have spoken to the LEA & its quite alright to do as I intended which is keep them at home with me until they are 5,they will skip reception & start at year one
) I am lucky enough to have a great pal who has home educated hers & find her very inspirational at showing a different way of doing things.
I dont mean this as critism,far from it,each must do as they feel best for their children,but just worried in case you thought you HAD to send them at this age,because you dont,I have had countless people smile & say oh school next year then & they are baffled when I say no not till they are 5
)
They are so young,they & we for that matter never get these years back.
Kindest regards x
Danette http://greentwinsmummyasimplelife.blogspot.com/
GTM
30 Aug 08 at 8:51 am
Is pre-school a requirement in your country? Here in the USA, it isn’t, and I coulnd’t imagine having to send my lil’ ones away.
. Although there certainly are children who attend pre-school, traditional schooling begins with Kindergarten, at age 5. HOIwever, if the child is ‘young’ in age/maturity/development, you are often encouraged to hold them back, and have them enter school the following year.
MissTera
4 Sep 08 at 3:37 pm
We start ‘em young over here in the UK. But, no, it’s not compulsory… not until next year, when they’ll have only just turned four.
I think it’s rather too young but if they’re going to have to go to school next year, is it fair to not give them the chance to ease into it with three hours a day for a year?
Fergus
4 Sep 08 at 8:08 pm