Monday, July 20, 2009

New School, New Worries

Tate started at a Montessori school in our neighborhood today. He's been in a typical daycare until now...'typical' in that one of his teachers was working on her GED and the other one just quit to become a receptionist at a nail salon because "the pay was better." The new school is a whole new world. How different? Well, for one thing, the music teacher graduated from Juilliard. (of course Rob's response was "Well now we know what happens to the person who graduates last in her class at Juilliard").

So I dropped Tate off at the brand new facility with its pale wood floors and white walls and uniformed kids and Masters-degreed teachers and whispered in his ear, "Tate, this is NOT the place where they are going to want to see your guns." I took him to his class and noted on the class schedule that today they would be learning Mandarin. I don't think they meant the orange.

So how did Tate do? Well as I was leaving, he had already emptied a bucket of blocks on the floor. I went back at lunch to peek in on him and saw him sneaking food off the plates of the other kids who were in line to wash their hands for lunch. When I picked him up, he was in a different outfit than when I dropped him off. They explained that they "don't use sippy cups" and Tate's first experience with an open cup resulted in a milk bath. Who doesn't use sippy cups with 18 month to 3 year olds??? Who is this Maria Montessori chick and why does she hate me?!?

So I am a little uneasy about the whole thing. Don't get me wrong -- I want Tate to have a good start on his education, but I also want him to have fun. And to be fair, they were very kind and warm and Tate was having a blast on the playground when I picked him up. One of his classmates (a 3-year old hussy) gave him a big slobbery kiss on the cheek as we were saying goodbye, so apparently he ignored my advice and gave them a gun show anyway...

So I second-guessed myself for having him in a 'typical' daycare and now I'm second-guessing myself for having him in a fancy school...does parenting ever get to the point where you aren't constantly worrying that what you're doing isn't best for your child?

6 comments:

Jennifer said...

Pretty sure it is our job to second guess ourselves as parents. Our LittleMan was expected to drink from an open cup before he could move up from the infant room to the early toddler room. I thought for sure at the time that he was going to be the only one in the infant room that knew all of his colors while still waiting to master that cup, but he surprised us. And I must say it is kinda nice that he doesn't always need a sippy cup or straw. I do think it is important to note here, however, that the only experience with Asian either of my kids have had is at PeiWei so I'm completely impressed with the whole Mandarin bit.

Hope it gets easier for you as the week progresses.

Sarah said...

Hahahahahhahahahaha! While the rest of the class was working on their "how to use scissors" skills at Margaret's "fancy" school...she was in the play area talking on the cell phone to her daddy with one hand on her hip. One of the teachers in her room thought it was so funny (because apparently Margaret chose not to cut with scissors more than once) that she videoed it for us so that we could be embarrassed not only by the cutting creations the other kids were taking home or the story itself...but also of the video of the experience.

I kind of enjoy being the family who gets the "your kid is a little weird" stories. :c) I think you will, too. (Not that Tate is weird or anything...but he does have some influences that may resurface at the fancy school...just sayin'...)

Rebekah said...

seriously? mandarin? why the frick does an 18 month old need to be introduced to mandarin?? now, if they taught him how to get a sweet deal on interest rates or how to make his bed and clean the bathroom, then I'd let the mandarin slide....crazy, fancy school. But not to worry, there's a fancy montessori kid that we know that was naming colors in Spanish when she was 2 while my kid was still naming colors by matching them to the Thomas the Tank Engine character with that color. But, my kid can conquer 6 levels of Star Wars Legos Wii and the smart kid can't. So there. I don't know where I am going with this story because I took a Tylenol PM an hour ago. I noticed I didn't use capitalization in the first part and my backspace key is getting worn down for all the misspellings so I'll sign off now.

LKW said...

Hang in there. You are definitely not alone. I'm looking forward to hearing more stories as Tate conquers Montessori. Which he is sure to do. And before you know it, you'll be thanking ole Maria as Tate assumes his role as the head of some major corporation (with offices in China, of course).

PS. I got my start at Montessori school. Hmmm...not so sure that info helps though.

KJ Druyvesteyn said...

WHAT did I tell you about Montessori? I'm just sayin'....

pink is the new black said...

Jenny, seriously, he'll rule the world someday...maybe they DID mean mandarin oranges...I mean, they ARE good...I'm just sayin'...and you know what...he'll be the most fun kid in that school anyway...that counts for alot:) I can't wait for more stories on Thursday!