I just signed The Baby up for a morning of daycare a week. The older kids want me in their classrooms, and the school won't let you volunteer with a toddler at your heels, so this is the solution I've thought of - an hour in each of their classrooms, a third hour to do whatever else - I'm hoping to be assigned to the school library - and then home for lunch with The Baby.
I'm not worried about her - like her sister before her, she's SUPER SOCIAL and has no qualms about being away from me. I'm worried about me - already I feel sick at heart, thinking about being away from my BABY for a whole three hours a week and oh, how will I bear it? Yeah, I'm a little bit overdramatic.
She'll have fun. The other kids will have the Joy of Having Their Mother In Their Class. And I will have issues.
The Girl took a day off yesterday - she woke up pale and vaguely fevered and looked sort of ghastly, so when she asked to stay home I let her, thinking that I was saving myself the inevitable trip to the school to pick her up when it progressed to a full-fledged sick later on in the morning. Of course, the second her brother cheerfully tootled off to school, she made a full and miraculous recovery and spent the whole day reading and playing with her sister and making fudge and checking out geography games on the computer. She had a lovely day and asked me, wistfully, if maybe she could still be homeschooled. Poor Girl. So to help her feel more at home, I'll be sure to wear my pajamas when I'm volunteering in her classroom - it's the least I can do.
Hey, I've seen a lot of delurking requests around the blogosphere (is that not the ugliest pseudo-word you've ever seen?) today, and if you're lurking, today would be a good day to say hi and let me know you're reading...
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92 comments:
The baby will be super happy to have playmates her own age. You will eventually be grateful that you have the extra time to spend with the older kids. At least that's what I think.
Definitely go in your pajamas, Beck! Hee-hee.
I worked in the library last week shelving books--those non-fiction ones are the worst! Sorting and ordering them according to the five digit numbers wrapped around a quarter inch spine. My neck was at a 45 degree angle for half the visit.
okay, I am only a quasi lurker, occasional poster that I am, but I'll show up today to say that I can hardly log onto your blog this week because the word "nudely" makes me choke with laughter.
xo Catherine
Hi, Beck!! I'm out here, and I love your blog-- read it every day.
I am a BIG believer in giving my three girlies what I call "Ferris Bueller Days" on a regular basis. I take them out of school-- sometimes for no other reason than it is a beautiful day-- and we just PLAY. And REST. And enjoy each other.
Because, let's face it-- EVERYBODY needs a day off once in awhile!!
xo CGF
Its like a playdate one morning a week - everyone wins!
Hi Beck. I am a "friendly lurker". I have enjoyed your post for months! I don't have a blog(absolutely no time, and I HATE to write), and I VERY rarely comment. I am a home school mother of three. I often envy those stay at home moms that don't home school. Oh how I could just do such fun homey things rather than being up to my eyeballs in math problems, science questions and getting after my boys to stay on task! But I am thankful for the opportunity, I love having my children at home, and I am fulling my call. I think it is wonderful that you are helping at your school. Your children benefit tons with you being there and being a part of their schooling! You make me laugh, Beck. It is my little moment of R&R! Thanks for sharing your life with us.
Good for you. It really will be a win-win for everyone.
I used to volunteer at our neighborhood elemetary school's library. It had 1300 kids (!) and that meant lots and lots of books to reshelve.
I used to offer the kids a quarter if they would take a book from the cart to check out, instead of taking one off the shelves.
I hope that works out great for you. And you know ... I am not a lurker, but I hope you find some today.
Sounds like it will be a lot of fun for the Baby, and the older ones will really appreciate it. A win-win situation, I would say.
Well, I definitely don't lurk here, I'm right out in the open! :v)
I used to have such a hard time with discerning whether the kid's were really sick or just not wanting to go to school. Way too many times I kept them home only to find out they were just fine and invariably then I'd send them to school and they'd get sick. Sigh. I never did get that part of parenting down pat.
I'm sure that the Girl and Boy will be so thrilled to have you in their classes that the three hours will fly for you. After the first time of course, when I know you will be worried sick.
I know how you feel - for some reason, I miss Ben more this year. Last year, those days he was at school were like gold to me (though i can't think of one constructive thing i did, besides take up blogging...) But this year, I miss him.
Hi, I read and enjoy. Thanks
I'm not exactly a lurker, since I've commented a few times, but I always read your blog--both, now.
My older boy also loves me to come to his classroom. I try to enjoy it now--and also the fact that he makes me wait with him in the kindergarten line every day until his teacher comes to fetch them--because I figure he will begin to request that I NOT show my face at his school before I know it. Of course, this is a boy that swears up and down that little brother will move out of the house but he will live with mom and dad forever. So we'll see how it all unfolds.
Delurking does make it sound as if simply reading without commenting is dirty.
I wish you luck with the new schedule. I'm sure it will take some adjusting, but what a gift to the older kids. You really amaze me.
sounds like the perfect solution...it's going to be great for both of you.
um, not a lurker...so i'm NOT delurking :)
Oh, I know the torn, bittersweet feelings you're having...
Whenever Liam gets a day home he makes an incredible recovery and longs for more days like that.
My sister sends me the email pictures from my niece's preschool...I am now convinced that the first step toward world peace is to have a mandatory outdoor activity every Oct. 1, where we each pick two leaves, and then watch in awe as the pattern comes through on a piece of paper when we color over it with a crayon...
Enjoy your three hours :)
A lurker here, Beck! I really enjoy your writing.
I loved having my mom volunteer in my classroom. And you should definitely wear your PJs.
a-HA! I always suspected that Catherine was alurker!
Lurking in Atlanta - love your website. I found you via Ali (Cheaper than Therapy).
I fall well short of lurker status, but I AM reading so, um, hi!
OK, I'll admit to being a quasi-lurker too, and I'll comment today not just to de-lurk, but to laugh at how everybody here seem to be living the same life as me. I kept my girl home yesterday because she was yawning hugely and barely touched her favorite breakfast, complaining of nausea, only to see her play energetically with her siblings before they went off to afternoon kindergarten. And last week I spent an hour reshelving books in my girl's library. Good thing I brought my reading glasses to see those tiny numbers on the spines of the non-fiction. I never realized that reshelving books was exercise - all that bending and squatting to reach the little-kid sized shelves!
I discovered your blog this week, and I love it. You are now added to my Google Reader. I am the mother of four grown daughters--34, 32, 28, 25. Five months ago I became a grandma for the first time. My daughter works part-time; I take care of my grandson while she is working. The last two weeks I have been reading mother blogs to remember and learn again.
I don't actually know if I'm a lurker. I may have commented here before, but I always forget where I've commented. Anyway, I read your blog. And I love the orange rubber boots in your header.
"And I will have issues."
I love that!
Drew had a wonderful SK teacher who welcomed smaller siblings into her classroom when parents came to volunteer. Most don't, so I haven't been able to volunteer for almost two years, despite frequent requests from big, soulful eyes. By the time I can volunteer again, they probably won't want me there.
I would love to spend a sick day at your house since it always seems to involve baking during the day. . . something I wish I had the time (and other mouths) for.
I've also noticed a general outcry against lurkers lately. Congrats on outing a few.
Everyone needs one of those days to rest and regroup. I was at the school this morning and it does so much for your older kids to have there - it will be worth it.
I do know what you mean though...what? I am not needed anymore?
We all have those moments.
Ask and you shall receive. Consider me delurked! And come visit anytime :-)
I sleep naked. Does this mean I can never volunteer in my child's classroom?
I was never good at lurking.
It sounds like a great solution for you and all your kids! I hope you have fun being a room Mom or whatever they are called. I remember being so happy when my mom or dad rarely visited my classroom.
Present and accounted for, Beck!
: D
PS: Love your new banner. Meant to pop in earlier and tell you . . .
Sounds like a great idea---the childcare and volunteering, not the PJs!
Hooky days are the best! We have an annual one in August where will all call in, skip school and go to the water park. Checking out of responsibility is a good thing.
Good luck with your 3 hours. Three hours in pajamas at my kids' school sounds divine (not to them, mind you).
I enjoy your blog daily!
It really ticks me off that American and UK, and possibly Canadian, schools have such long school years. Ridiculous. Scandinavian countries have much shorter school years -full summers off!- and their kids test circles around ours.
So of course our kids need more days off, they're wiped out!
Yes, go to school in your pjs. Think of the gossip potential! hee hee
No lurkers here. I even harass you in email form! LOL.
Once the adjustment period is over, I'm sure and and the Baby will both feel a bit lighter with the tiny little break from each other. Just remember to tell me the same thing when KayTar starts school in February. Ack!!
I think this is a good thing for everyone involved! Maybe you could spend that third hour sipping a latte at your favorite coffee shop. ;)
Just an idea.
I am a full-fledged lurker. I've been reading for quite a while; I love your writing and reflections on life. Thanks for sharing. I am frequently in my pj's for much of the day; I would love to wear them out.
www.xanga.com/cmanahan
I keep forgetting to do a delurk request at my blog. I don't really mind the lurking, but I also don't fully understand it. Anyway I hope the daycare thing works out for you. I know how you feel, too. When I seriously contemplate dropping Bean off somewhere and driving away for a few hours, I get all jittery and hyperventilate. She'd be fine, but would I? Hugs - M
Last year, you gave cookies to delurkers. Just saying, because I could use an afternoon snack about now.
I got a great gig helping in Fiona's art class while Lorenzo goes to his grandmother's. It's so much fun. And then I get a little bit of free time afterward before his nap. Yes!
De-lurking to say hi!
I really enjoy your posts and I stop by once in a while to see what you and your children have been up to.
you will also enjoy being in with your older kids, no? I love that peek into what they are like at school, and to get to know their friends...
I'm reading and I'm gonna miss you and your life!!! But I'll be back some day!
Take care
God bless you
br.Freddie
What's sad is when you miss Baby nonstop and she doesn't even notice you were gone.
I'm with Painted Maypole. It will be fun to see what the kiddies are like in their "other" environment.
I've been reading and enjoying for a couple of weeks.
OK, I'm gathering that you decided not to home school for now? ;) But truly, I think your idea of a few hours a week with baby in day care while you help in classrooms is pretty clever! Sounds like a great plan for everyone!
You know, I've heard of some families where just one of their kids are home schooled for a year or so...just an idea, mind you...or you could, as you said, just go to school in your PJs! ;)
I'm not a lurker but I'll comment anyway. I really like the new fall color & picture.
I'm sure you'll have fun in the classroom and The Baby will be fine.
I fear that if you wore your PJ's to school to volunteer that The Girl might reconsider you volunteering. ;-)
(I still think you'd make a great homeschool mom.)
Er, I guess I'm guilty of lurking. I just have one 13 year old boy, and I'm sure he could be more demanding but I'm not sure how.
We live in the US now, but used to live in Ontario (we're Canucks, eh) so I love your posts about your family and life.
You write beautifully. And my parents used to call me "Ramona", so I felt a real kinship to you. :)
I lurked for the first time ever this week! I did. I read your post about things you don't get, smiled at the adorable photo of the baby watching television and then I went away because, you know, I'm on a blogging vacation. LOL
This is a great way to slowly ease yourself into accepting that your baby is going to start school someday. And I'll bet she loves it, having that contact with other little people once a week. The benefits to your two big kids is obvious, too. I agree. It's a win-win situation.
Hi. My name is emily. and I'm delurking.
Dang it. Busted.
I enjoy your blog.
I always read, but only occasionally comment. I don't feel I have much to say...because you say it all so well! Love your writing and insights, Beck! Keep up the great work. (Can I go back to being my lurking, antisocial self now?) :)
That sounds like an awesome plan to me. My middle child keeps asking to be homeschooled. Yeah right...that would never work. He wouldn't survive.
I've commented a couple of times, but usually I'm out here lurking. So consider me delurked.
Love the idea of you going in your pajamas. I'm sure she would be thrilled (yeah, right).
I'm thinking next year I will put my baby in mother's day out a couple of mornings. I don't have your particular issues about that (but plenty of others).
Hi there,
Wow! That sounds so creepy - delurking?! I guess I have been lurking around your blog. I found you from Ben&Birdy's blog and have really loved your posts! I feel like you are my Canadian soul sister and your writing is delightful. I have a blog too but it is just shameful - I post once a year! Ugh... So, does this make me less creepy now that I have un-lurked myself??
oh I would totally go in my pjs too.
Blessings,
Karla
Not a lurker, but a regular reader still saying hi :)
I loved your comment about showing up to her classroom in your pjs! LOL Sounds like you found a good solution to being in their classrooms and what to do with the Baby!
Oh..the school library sounds like so much fun! I'm sure that it will work out well for everyone.
You got me. Hi, I'm lurking (as I do every day). I don't remember whether I originally came from Mary LUE or someone else. LOL
I vote yes on pajama volunteering.
No lurker, I. But I'm feeling very amiable today, so I'll offer some nonlurking xx's and oo's.
OK, I read, daily, kind of sick right now, so really only once a day, rather than the normal 2 or 3 times I stop by on a weekday.
Kim
I too was heartsick over leaving my little guy for two hours every Friday. It's become old hat. He LOVES it. As much as I miss him during those two precious hours, he really needed this social outlet. Good luck in your adjustment!
You are a good mommy to get over your separation anxiety in order to be with your older kids. Good mommy.
Ok, I'm obviously not a lurker, but I HAVE been reading a lot on bloglines lately as I'm working too jobs for awhile. And I feel bad about it 'cause you are SUCH a good comment leaver, and I love that about you. Another downside to feedreaders is that I don't think I've mentioned how much I love the boots! Actually, I think maybe I did mention that. Oh well, I still love them. And I totally blog to avoid housework! Before I had kids people always told me I wouldn't have time to read, email, and blog after my baby was born. Ha! I don't have time to do laundry or cook, true. But read or blog? No problem.
Ok, this is the longest comment ever...
Hi I'm reading, sometimes I post, but everyday I read.
Jenn
Little G is LOVING her 2 days a week at nursery school. Don't you worry, that time will just whip by, especially if you're volunteering at the school. I'm hoping to put some time in with the big boy's class one of the days myself.
I delurked a while ago :)
Hi - I'm reading!
My sister has been going back to work three days a week since my niece was six months (she's now almost 1) and although she finds it hard a lot of the time to leave Baby at daycare, it seems that Baby has coped very well.
I love those spontaneous recoveries that create a lovely day at home. She just needed some time with you is all I guess.
Tell her that if she's homeschooled, she'll never be able to stay home sick from school. ;)
I have just found your blog today... Of course I would love it, my nickname has been Toad since I was crawling. Apparantly as an infant and toddler, I reminded my mother, grandmother, sisters, and great aunt of Toad from Frog and Toad. I am 34 and the nickname is more natural to me sometimes than my given name....
You know I always comment! :)
I am helping in Matt's classroom. I guess I better figure out what to do with Mark!
Lori
oh wow. I saw this and was WHAT!?!? You are my hero staying home and I was so shocked. Then I started reading and really I hope I would have the courage to do the same for my kids :)
Totally need to show up in your pj's.
I don't know if I qualify as a lurker since I just found you a couple of days ago, but hey, here I am. I love your stuff! You make me laugh, and that's really helpful these days. :-) Keep up the lovely work. Thanks.
Sarah
I'm always torn between the baby that NEEDS me and my older boys that want me around too. I want to be able to help out in their classrooms. Maybe next year....
p.s. I would help this year but I have nothing to do with the baby. And next year my oldest will be in 5th grade. Last year before middle school.....
Girlkiddo did the same thing yesterday! As soon as the carpool left for school with her brother, she perked right up and spent the day following me around, staring at me. All day long. The stare. She was so bored and there are only so many times we can play Killer Bunnies before I become truly homicidal.
Hi Beck! I am not so much a lurker as just a reader of blogs who doesn't have something to say about every post I read. Lurking sounds murky, like a silent slug hiding under a leaf or something.
I hope all goes well with the new arrangement. I bet once you start doing it, it will feel right as rain.
cheers
Alice
i know what you mean about missing the baby i miss mine when he goes two days in the morning. a lot.
Hi!
I homeschool. I still have issues.
Ha! Volunteering in your jammies would definitely make The Girl ... wish she were homeschooled. Teehee.
Delurk is kinda not euphonious, huh?
I only semi-lurk here, Beck. You know I'm out here .... :-)
Whoa- did you get some delurking or what here? Or do you normally have 81 comments every day? ANYWAY- you are inspiring me to do something like this next year with Gray... I would totally be able to help out more in my older boys' classes if I did something like that... if I can let go...
Steph
my youngest - 4 - just started preschool and the other 3 are in school. so i got a part-time job and just am having such a hard time. i feel like i should still be at home doing the mommy things or taking care of my own preschooler. i had no idea i would feel this way. maybe it is PMS for me too!! have a great day - love your blog!
Oh, she wanted some mama time! At least she had a good day and got to spend some time with you and the baby. Good luck working in the classrooms. I have been wondering how that works for future reference so I will be looking forward to reading more details!
I'm a lurker - a lurker from work where I could be doing something useful! But I have four blogs that just make my day. And yours is one of them. Thanks!.
Eighty-five comments! (Or 86 with mine.) I'm sorry you're having difficulty letting go of your baby for a morning, but it'll make kindergarten less traumatic for both of you.
That Girl! So sneaky!
Not delurking (that's a gross word, too) but just a lazy commenter. *smile* Always love it here.
Lots of lurkers aren't there? But not me. I love reading your blog and I'm gonna let you know! Way to go making the kids happy. She's going to get the best of both worlds. The baby will be just fine. You'll just get busier as they all go into school. We're jugglers, right?
Not a lurker, either. I'm a full-fledged SUBSCRIBER. (And I just think she's the cutest little thing, too. Beautiful photo today, as always...)
Love,
Katherine
baby is just so darn cute!
i'm an occasional lurker. ;-D
Love to lurk. Love your blog.
Hi! I just found your blog. I am now delurking.
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