Yesterday was the first day Cash went to his new little preschool (little as in there's only three of them in it). By the time I was in the car at 8:30am with everyone fed and dressed trying to get through morning traffic on time it suddenly dawned on me: I need to breathe. Wow. How do you people do this - EVERY DAY??? I could feel the muscles in my neck tensing up, my back starting to hurt and my anxiety levels skyrocketing. Isn't that ridiculous? Just to get my 3 year-old to preschool at a friend's house? But I realized that I haven't had to be somewhere on time, early in the morning in years really. Probably not since my working days. Ok, there are probably a lot of places I should have been on time (yeah, and if you know us at church, you will sadly know this is one of those), but I also take it as a credit to my own sanity-maintenance that I just haven't really sweated stuff since I've had kids. And so in a way I feel a little good about it. And in another way I realize that's why I'm so dang out of practice at it. But really, when your kids don't really wake up until 8 or 8:30, it's almost a darn miracle to get three totally dependent children dressed, fed, diapered and out to the car by 8:30. So way to go me. I did it once. We'll see if I can do it again. :)
Speaking of schools, I did my research and my worst fears were confirmed - we're in the boundaries to be slotted for the same schools that lead up to the infamous high school that our babysitter goes to - remember, the one where she got made fun of for being the only virgin on the cheerleading squad? The one where they don't have funds to have lockers or books for their students? The one where they offer HIV testing? The one where they have a day care?? Yeah, and the one that is 0.5% Caucasian. That's right, that's a point five percent. And we're not even just caucasian. That poor little Cash is practically translucent. So, you can imagine that the elementary schools leading up to that high school are also the same. Which is leading me to my worries about next year's Pre-K. I'll keep looking, but all the good ones are far away - and with my recent realization of my elevated stress levels having to actually be somewhere on time, I'm already feeling a full-blown panic attack coming on just thinking about having to do it every morning. And I have to do this every morning - for like, the next 25 years? How do you people do it? Can't I just hire it out or something? A surrogate parent for the morning drop off? I could even try to find a tall blond.... :)
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15 comments:
you should just move to surfside ;)
I thought that too, after my first day of getting 3 kids, a husband, and a pregnant body out the door by 8. But you get used to it. And it starts to feel good. Sick, I know. And you did it once! :)
We have similar issues with the schools here. I have no idea what to tell you, we'll be moved before I have a 2nd grader. Private schools are SO blasted expensive, huh? Let me know if you come up with anything! Good luck!
HOMESCHOOL.
That's hilarious. Good luck, and good job doing it once! I think about that, too, especially on the days I stay in my jammies all day and don't do Katie's hair and let her run around in her underwear.
And sanity-wise, I'd get used to the early morning thing and ignore Anonymous' advice to homeschool. :)
The whole schedule thing--having to be on time for stuff--is one of the reasons one of my sisters-in-law home schools her kids. I'll take a schedule over homeschooling ANY day!
Good luck with the whole district thing--at least you have a few years to get things in order....
Ahh, you and I have the same problem. We are in the worst school district too. My friend started her son at school this year and he is the ONLY white boy in kindergarten. Out of 7 classes of kindergarten. Things seem to be okay in the younger grades but I worry about being here when they are older.
And I hate the morning rush. It is no fun and I am no fun either!
Many private schools are part of VPK (government pays school). You can probably find a list online. We found a private montessori where Alex is going this year, but I do worry about the public schools next year. There are some good Charter schools, but they fill up quickly (lottery) so options are limited. Good luck to both of us.
It's no easy thing to be on time for things, that's for sure. Often I can get the gang ready and looking okay but then I don't always have time to look like I would want to. It's a hard balance. Yesterday I tried to exercise before work but then had very few minutes to get myself ready. I could probably try to get up earlier but that seems next to impossible. So I have not found the answer to this, as you can tell.
Julie
I can totally relate. I think having a kid in school is way more stress than a job ever was. Hailee's school starts at 7:50. I have to be out of the door at 7:20 to get Todd to work and Hailee to school. Lunches have to be made, snacks have to be packed, and breakfast has to be eaten (mostly it's eaten in the car). If I'm not up by 5:45 we're usually late. All this and Hailee is done at 10:35. Are you kidding, all that effort and she's home mid-morning. It's exhausting, I'm so glad today is Friday, I just hope that next week I won't have send my kid to school with a blue tardy slip.
Its been so different in the various areas we've lived. Sometimes we have been out the door at 6:45 am...right now, we don't have to be at school until 9AM...
When it comes to schools, I have to say, I am not a homeschool type mom...I know a lot of people are really good at it, not me. So, we spend a little extra money to live in the areas with the good schools. I think your most viable solutions are charter and privates subsidized by the gov't. Also...look into the exact school you are zoned for. You may be surprised. Just because the middle and high schools are junk..sometimes the elementary schools are still okay because they are smaller zones and don't encompass areas that are sketchy.
Lastly...make Ryan take him on the mornings he can. Take your breaks when you can!
You always make me laugh - Cash being translucent! The morning schedule sounds rough. Does he like preschool? Stella is enjoying hers. Usually I just throw Adam in the car in his pajamas and once they've eaten their breakfast in the car. I can't imagine how hard it is with your twins. Will you guys still be in Miami for kindergarten or are you thinking of getting a job elsewhere? Ryan's still in residency, right? Come to Colorado :)
I am grateful we have the bus to come and pick Sabrina up. We would be in big trouble if we all had to wake up, get in the car, and get to school before it starts! As for our weather here in Georgia. It does get surprisingly cold. They usually get one seasonal ice storm, last year we had a freak snow storm. It is nothing compared to winter in Utah. Maybe I just think it is so cold because I spent the winter in Hawaii before Georgia.
The key for me when only my oldest was in school was afternoon preschool. That way you can slide into your day a little and get gradually adjusted to the whole get em up, get em out routine that will be yours for years to come. And the wonderful side benefit of afternoon preschool is the fact that they are off being stimulated while your youngers are napping so you can, hopefully, get a breather.
But eventually, you just have to come to the realization that earlier mornings have to be your life (early morning seminary is in your future if you have high schoolers outside of Utah)
But I definitely agree with having Ryan ferry Mr. Preschooler whenever possible. Good luck! It does get easier (except on the days when it all goes to hell again--or maybe I'm the only one with those?).
I agree with Angie. Find an afternoon one.
But that has its downsides too.
My youngest does not get a good nap because of her sister's school schedule(12:20-3:05).
But, it is nice to not have to totally rush in the morning.
Jen, I hear you! It's tough. Tessa is most always in her jammies taking the kids to school, with a sippy of milk in one hand and a ziploc baggy in the other with her mini-pancakes! I do try to fee her before we go, but she is most always in pjs and I am always in sweats and a hat. I am often that way until nap time, and then shower and get ready for the day!
I was an elementary teacher, yet have no desire to homeschool. Yikes! We have done it both ways. Once lived in a great house but not so great school, so Madison did private school for kindergarten. When we moved to NY we payed more for our house to live in a better school district to do public school. We now live in an older neighborhood in Utah, and the public school is great. I could live in a newer and bigger house in Utah county, but may not have as good of a school. As soon as your kids are school age your home, neighborhood and life revolve around that. While it is hectic at first, it really is fun, too. Good luck with everything!
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