Friday 25 September 2009

Getting to grips with preschool

So the Littleboys have completed their first full week at their new preschool, and I'm pleased to report that it's gone pretty well.

There were a few tears; from Littleboy1 on day 1, and Littleboy2 on day 2 (although the teacher was at pains to explain that this was only because another child had been crying, and he came out in sympathy).

On picking them up on the first day, I was a little worried that my firstborn might not be up to the high-achieving academic standards of some of his peers. Children start school (confusingly known as 'kindergarten' for the first year) at five plus here, rather than four plus. However, the 'pre-K' year, as it's called, seems to be pretty academically focused. As I arrived,Littleboy 1 was arguing with a little Japanese boy about whether the teacher had written his name right on his homework folder (yes, homework. I still can't believe my little boy has homework now). Littleboy 1 knows his name, but likes to write in capital letters. So he didn't recognise the small 'l' in his name as being, well, L. The four year old Japanese boy then primly pointed out, 'No, that is a lower-case l'. Oh Lord, I thought; Littleboy 1 has just about grasped that there might be a 'big A' as well as a 'little a'....

However, a week later and Littleboy 1 is gagging to do his homework the minute we get home (long may that continue...) and enthusiastically his tracing letters and numbers. His brother, meanwhile, reports each day that he 'did drawing'. I have yet to find out what else goes on in his classroom....

I, meanwhile, have had fun negotiating the minefield that is parking at the preschool. Each morning at 9am, an army of mummies in SUVs congregate on the narrow hilltop road where the school is, and try to park themselves in the tight space outside. Backing out is nerve-wracking, because the SUVs are all so massive. I've already seen one prang, and that involved one of the teachers. So not only am I embarrassed to be driving the rusting Dodge, I am also terrified of damaging the car and raising our already outrageous 'new driver' insurance premium even further.

Nevertheless, I have been making the most of my child-free time, before the reality - that I might need to earn something towards the extortionate fees - sets in. The first day I celebrated by sipping a latte on the beach and reading a novel in silence. I've also found time to visit the hairdresser, do an exercise class and have a coffee with a fellow British expat (yes, I found one). It's not exactly shopping on Fifth Avenue, but it has felt pretty relaxing compared to chasing the boys around town.

Every day when I pick them up from school, I ask the boys 'did you have a lovely time?' 'Yes, Mummy,' they dutifully reply. But yesterday, Littleboy 1 added: "And what about you Mummy, did you have a lovely time?"

"Er, yes," I replied. "I had my hair cut and went to the supermarket."

"Wow," he said, reverentially.

Yes, how exciting life is for Mummies.

12 comments:

Mwa said...

I always feel like I'm on holiday a little when I go to the hairdresser minus children. But the beach is something else entirely.

Potty Mummy said...

Do you ever feel like they're humouring us?

Nicola said...

Glad you are all settling in. And I had to laugh out loud at PMs comment. Hope you get to sit on the beach, sipping on a latte and reading a book a few more times while the good weather holds.

Almost American said...

Sounds like you found a good pre-k. A lot of them are little more than babyminders. I found a good one for my kids - but as you found out, it's not cheap!

Best of luck with the drop-off and pick-up. I eliminated one pre-school from my potential list partly because parking there was a nightmare.

MadEnglishWoman40 said...

Just wanted to drop in & say Hi. Loving your blog!
Julie

Hot Cross Mum said...

Wow - a latte and a novel on the beach - bliss! Award for you over at mine. Enjoy! :-)

Paradise Lost In Translation said...

Hi NVG how are you? My daughter started kindergarten this sept, & after the shock & mini crisis I am enjoying all teh extra free time, just no thaving to cram stuff in before 12 is nice. I've even been out for lunchwith my hubby twice.NEVER done that in England!

Expat mum said...

My kids have started asking me what (exactly) I'm doing with my new-found time during the day. Cheeky blighters. Given that we have had flood problems, technical problems and that sort of thing, I haven't actually had much free time as yet.

nappy valley girl said...

Mwa - well, given our current location it had to be done. I would have gone swimming had it been warmer!

PM - yup, all the time....

Nicola - here's hoping....

Almost American - it's a very good school. And most importantly, the only one in town that takes the two age groups at the same time....

Julie - thank you, much appreciated.

Hot Cross Mum - how kind! I'll be over shortly...

Expat Mum - it's always the way. I've had to sort out problems with the car, and now I have my Dad staying, whcih is lovely, but I need to entertain him too...

nappy valley girl said...

Paradise Lost - ooh, enjoy lunch with your husband, how lovely. I have to pick my two up at 1pm, so sadly no lunches as yet, but next year here's hoping!

Iota said...

Lower case or upper case hair cut?

A Confused Take That Fan said...

Ooh I like the sound of reading in silence and hairdressers. Enjoy mummy. Enjoy. Sounds like the boys are settling in nicely. DO they ever ask about England? x