>Bruiser Update and Introducing the Lazy Mommies (Unless I come up with something better) Preschool!
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Friends, you’ll be happy to know that Bruiser has now moved out of our bedroom and into his crib in his sister’s room. Swaddling him has changed my life. He’s waking once per night, generally because he’s wiggled an arm out of his blanket, but he goes right back to sleep when I tuck him back in and pop the pacifier in his mouth. I have ordered that Miracle Blanket that you guys have told me so much about and I think that will keep him from waking at all. From what I hear, it’s like a straightjacket for babies! Awesome!
Anyway, I couldn’t have done it without you guys, so thank you, thank you, thank you. The swaddling is also keeping him asleep in the daytime for two to three straight hours; his sister naps at the same time. So not only am I sleeping again, I also have a tiny bit of time to myself each day- hopefully, that will mean that the writing quality around here will vastly improve. Lately, I’ve had about 15 minutes to work on any given post and I’m sure it shows.
Punky’s preschool (which consists of me and another mom as teachers) is going great, too. But I’ll admit I have an inferiority complex about what she can learn from me versus what she could learn from a “real” preschool teacher. In talking to my other mom friends with three-year-olds in preschool, she’s doing the very same things they are, only different terms are used to describe their activities. Allow me to explain.
At my preschool (which I’m dying to call Lazy Mommies Preschool and have t-shirts made up for when we go on field trips, but I’m not sure my friend likes that! My other thought was “Three Kids and a Baby” Preschool. What do you think? Any other ideas?), we went to the botanical gardens today and let the kids pick up pine cones, acorns and leaves they found and put them in a nature box. They had a lot of fun.
But at a real preschool, they would have been learning the physical properties of materials and objects and discovering what’s contained in their environment, gaining information through direct observation and tactile experimentation. A real teacher wouldn’t just be telling the kids not to pick the flowers and and no, I won’t hold you while we walk, I have to push this stroller, dangit, she’d be integrating content through meaningful, in-depth studies built on children’s knowledge and interests.
At Lazy Mommies Preschool, we read the kids lots of books. Lots and lots of books. They seem to like it.
But at a real preschool, when the real teachers read books, our kids would be gaining vocabulary and oral language skills, phonological awareness, knowledge of print, letters and words, comprehension, and an understanding of books and other texts.
At Lazy Mommies Preschool, Punky and I put all of our leaves out on the table at the end of the day, counted them, sorted them by color, and made a bar graph out of our findings. Then we glued all the leaves to a paper plate with a hole cut in the middle to make a nature wreath. She thought that was cool.
But at a real preschool, Punky would have learned number concepts, patterns and data collection, measurement, and organization and representation. Oh, and interior design.
See what I mean? I’m sure Punky will be totally behind when she enters kindergarten. While all her friends will have studied under some highfalutin’ curriculum designed with sound developmental theory and evidence-based research, complete with numerous research studies that have been conducted to validate its effectiveness, Punky will have learned under the Lazy Mommies philosophy, which is basically, “Let them play, but try to make it educational.”
Is this going to be my first big mommy mistake? Is this going to be the moment she revisits with her shrink some day as the root of all her failures? Will she blame me for not sending her to a posh preschool with lesson plans developed on the basis of scientific research and state and professional standards? Will she ask me how on earth I could use Jack’s bathtub (which is actually just a clear plastic storage bin) to show her and her friends which objects sink and which float, as opposed to an expensive preschool “sensory table?”
Probably. After all, I have teenagers, so I know Punky will have to blame me for something, or she’d never leave home.
*Head on over now to Suburban Turmoil Reviews if you’re looking for a cute guide to breastfeeding.
>I have only seen a picture of your husband once on your weblog, but OMG!Mr. Bruiser is a photocopy of his dad!Wow! What a cute baby! He is big, strong and sweet!
>Holy crap. That is a mini-Dennis Ferrier with a much larger noggin. Scary.
>Good God, pick your silly self up off the floor and simply teach your daughter the best way you know how. Because no way is the wrong way. She’ll.Be. Fine!After all, for those of us who didn’t even get preschool”training” I’d say we all turned out just fine.
>Lazy my ass! At real pre-school you would be drinking a latte while someone else babysat your child and TOLD you they were teaching them about physical properties.In fact, the other day I was reading ALL your reviews, your column, this blog and thinking “How does she do it all?”Seriously, you must have some extra adrenaline!
>If you’ll permit me, I’d like to join the chorus of “goodness, he looks like his father!”
>As a teacher, I can tell you that in 10 years they’ll say that the way kids are learning today is all wrong and OH MY GOD we screwed up THE CHILDREN.Roll eyes.Go with however she learns best, and whatever will help her learn to love learning. Without that love, it’s hard to get through the tough times.
>I picked up M from preschool today, and I have to say she would have enjoyed the nature lesson much more than gluing cotton balls onto the printout of the lamb she brought home. You are doing great!
>That baby is SUPER CUTE!!! Your preschool sounds perfect to me. I have a teen, a Kindergartner, and a baby, and yep, you’re right, they will blame you for something. But that ain’t likely it.
>We didn’t send ours to preschool, and she’s thriving in Kindergarten. I like Small Time Preschool.It’s the interaction that’s important, both from you and from the other children.
>Obviously you are ruining your child’s chance at the good life. Yep, its gonna be nothing but Springer and Aqua Net hairspray for her. Pretty soon she’ll be asking for Budweiser in her bottle.She’s doomed. You better go plunk down that g-note and buy her some success.
>I didn’t go to preschool. I started school in regular kindergarten. I’m brilliant. Okay, that might be pushing it, but I certainly wasn’t behind academically! You’re doing a great job, and those “high fallutin’ terms” are just what preschool teachers use to cover the fact that they play with kids all day. It sounds like you’re doing an awesome job – have fun with it! What Punky will remember is that her mom started a preschool just for her… not what she did in it.~Amalia~PS Have you noticed how much Punky and Bruiser sound like “Punky Brewster”? Just a thought.
>I vote for Three Kids and a Baby for the name of your pre-school. And may I just add to the list of people that think your lil one is THE CUTEST BABY?!!!!
>WooHoo for sleep!
>My daughter was never sent to a formal preschool.In fact, she stayed with my best friend (a SAHM) up until she started school last year.She is now in first grade, and reads at a fourth grade level.Teach your child the best way for HER. Do not pressure yourself into thinking that she ‘has’ to go to preschool to be sucessful.Enjoy your time with your kids – and save $500/week in the process. At the very least, you will know for SURE what she is learning!
>Your version of preschool sounds just fine. Glad Bruiser is sleeping better! Cute photo, as always!
>I’m a new reader and I have to say that is THE cutest baby I have ever seen! Those cheeks!My sister didn’t even go to preschool. She turned out fine.I thought all you did in preschool was color. And sing songs.I think Punky will be just fine.
>I have to admit I’m joking about the “real” preschool. I pulled all those descriptions from a preschool curriculum site. I’m laughing at myself, because I bought a few books about what my child needs to know before kindergarten and really did begin freaking out reading all these terms and concepts. But now I’m finding that those are just fancy words for playing with play doh or water or listening to books being read or practicing drawing circles or writing her name. And we’re doing all that stuff, too.I was especially encouraged by a story in American Baby this month that said that a new study found kindergartners who had been to preschool were no more socially advanced than those who hadn’t. That was my primary concern about Punky skipping a traditional preschool. So that was a relief.
>um…have you ever visited one of these so called “real” preschools? At a HIGHLY RATED AND STRONGLY RECOMMENDED Nashville preschool that will remain unnamed, kids were shown Disney movies one day, told they had to “keep quiet” when using the book station, told they couldn’t push an empty swing (even when no one else wanted to swing). They were given sugar snacks throughout the day. The classroom was filled with plastic, mainstream toys, like a care bears wonderland. When the teachers read books, the kids wandered around and looked bored, and then were scolded, and told they had to return to the rug. Needless to say we got the hell out of there, but let me tell you, you are doing everything a “real” preschool would do and MUCH MUCH more.
>I kept my daughter home for preschool, kindergarten and first grade. She went through school just fine and graduated from Vassar with honors. So my teaching certainly didn’t hold her back. Recently though, she has quit her job to travel the country and sing in a punk band. So I’m not exactly sure what the moral of this story is.But lazy mommies? Absolutely not. It’s far lazier to write a check and drop your kid off somewhere than to do it yourself, isn’t it? Crazy Mommies, maybe, but def not lazy!
>It sounds like the only thing lacking in your Home Preschool is the ability to BS. I have a feeling you will find yourself capable of rising to the occasion.
>At a ‘real’ preschool, she’d be bringing home everyone else’s illness (and giving it to the baby), being taught probably not NEARLY what it sounds like you are teaching her by someone who doesn’t care about her NEARLY as much as you do. I think you are doing the right thing. Give yourself more credit. 🙂
>How about – “Cheap Pre-School” or “Pre-School On A Budget”…..wait what about “Home PreSchool Is Free”….it’s late & should obviously go to bed!
>You’re doing exactly what our preschool does–read books, play, go outside and see what’s there. In fact what you’re doing is a common Waldorf activity. When I’m home with the girls and short on ideas I used this: http://www.amazon.com/52-Rainy-Day-Activities-Decks/dp/0811806766
>You are kidding, right? Except for the teenager part. Keep up the good work, and sit back and take all the credit for your smart confident kid once she goes to school.
>You know, I think anyone who makes a bar graph with their 3 year old really doesn’t need pre-school in their life. Be careful of revealing your address after this post; I would think you’ll have mommies queuing round the block to get their kids into Lazy Mommies Pre-school.A new financial opportunity?
>MY GOD! He is gorgeous.And YOU are anything but lazy, Lindsay!
>Bruiser is totally adorable.As for preschool? I didn’t go. I was reading before Kindergarten because my mom, too, was “lazy” and did things like read books and teach me all about numbers. (Ah, the CPA in her.) We’re really torn with what to do regarding Nick and preschool (a year and a half to decide.) He’s somewhat shy so he could benefit from socialization but… I want my kid to learn real things, not just how to call me and other children stupidheads. Sigh. I don’t know.That said, TOTALLY digging the nature wreath. Stealing it. (Minus bar graph. I think barely two is a bit young for a bar graph. Maybe. LOL)
>I love the photo of Brusier. Good luck with the preschool.
>My son didn’t go to preschool. Instead, we went to museums, visited the zoo, read books, painted and did little art projects, and took walks by the lake, among lots of other activities. The placement test for kindergarten included letter/word recognition (he read the teacher the whole book), pattern recognition, number recognition, counting, very simple math and a few other basics. It sounds like your preschool is tons of fun and your kids are wonderful — I wish I’d known you (or someone like you!) when my son was preschool-age. 🙂
>As an elementary school teacher I can guarantee you that what you do as a parent matters so much more than any preschool. A child’s readiness for school (academically, socially, emotionally) stems more from the parents than anything else. So go you! And I love the idea of Lazy Mommies Preschool!Those swaddling blankets are fantastic. There’s actually another one, similar to the miracle blanket, that uses velcro and is really easy to use. We bought some a Buy Buy Baby and found them much easier to use. Good luck!
>Yay! That makes me so happy! I LOVE the miracle blanket! I would’ve DIED without mine with kid # 2. We have a coupon code for $5 off on our blog sidebar if you need it…although I am guessing the miracle blanket people are probably throwing one at ya!
>Behind when she enters Kindergarten? Absolutely. And it will go on her Permanent Record. And then you woke up and lived happily ever after.
>well, to quote W: “Childrens do learn”
>real preschool is overrated. I think you are doing just fine!
>How about Too Cool 4 preschool or Old School Preschool
>Either that or when her therapist asks, “Now tell me about your childhood. How were your parents?” she’ll say, “Oh they were incredible. You know, my mom even taught me for preschool? She didn’t want to send me to a place where she couldn’t be sure I was getting the best education, so she taught me herself after a ton of research. My mom cared enough to take an interest in my learning from the start. No, my parents aren’t the reason for my troubles. It was some dad at one of my soccer games when I was three that really messed me up with his shouting that my dad, who coached us, brought in a ‘ringer’ to win in a preschool age league. My parents are awesome.”Punky IS in a real preschool. And it will probably mean more that she’s spending the time with you rather than a teacher who will change every year.
>OH MY GAWD! That is the most adorable baby! And, not that I am any kind of authority on preschools, but I think what you are doing is fantastic. It’s inexpensive for you (big bonus there) and she is learning from a person she cares about. I wish I lived closer to you, I would totally enroll my daughter in your preschool.
>um, i would join your preschool just for the t-shirt.
>Um, could Bruiser be any cuter? I THINK NOT!!!
>Not being a Mommy, maybe my opinion won’t count that much. However, I think what you are doing is perfect. She is three and she is learning. Just in a different way. There will come a time when “structured” education is a part of her daily life.Bruiser is too cute!
>Dam it Bossy stole my comment.Ok, maybe not, but it was funnier than what I was going to say.Bruiser is adorable by the way. I want to squish him…in a nice non scary way though.
>My son sepends his entire time at preschool running around the yard yelling. I’m guessing Punky is getting more than he is! At least in New Zealand it’s free.He did enjoy making a paper mache volcano and reading about them, before filling it up with vinegar and baking soda and watching it erupt. This was several days project for the class and it’s the only thing so far he seems to have absorbed. Just an idea for when outside isn’t likely, you can erupt it in the baby bath.
>Lindsay, Bruiser is a DOLL! I am glad that he has made the move to his own crib. Sweet sleeping dreams to you mama.
>As one of the two kinds of people who are established authorities on children (people who’ve never had ’em and grandparents–I’m the former), and as someone who has worked with 2-yr.-old’s and 3-yr.-old’s quite a bit in the past (sometimes in large gangs of ’em, i.e., more than 3 or 4 at a time) with some success (we gave ’em all back to their parents intact)…let me echo the comments that your child is in the BEST possible situation.It’s not a lack of head knowledge or skills that make kids bite one another on the playground and later as teenagers go nuts and shoot up schools. It’s a lack of bonding early on with a loving authority figure, like, say, an attentive mother, and a lack of the consistent and reliable guiding presence of same. What you’re doing is what preschools are desperately trying to imitate, and what many mothers who work outside the home wish they could do. There is no substitute for being there.Thanks for pointing out all the naked emperors running around…it’s a useful service, not to mention an entertaining one.