Decision 2014

The past few weeks can be summed up best, as they were by Aunt Shannon:

"the great Pre-K debate of 2014".

(very reminiscent of "the great 3 day vs 5 day preschool debate of 2013")

I can't even remember how it began, but somehow amidst the paperwork for kindergarten registration, we (I) had an epiphany or was enlightened to a simple fact:

Kids must be at least five to attend kindergarten.

Kids don't have to attend kindergarten at five.

Woah. How did this not occur to me earlier?

I went on a two week bender of zero sleep, research/article reading, polling the crowd, phone calls to teachers, phone calls to administrators, I listened to stories of families who considered waiting and didn't, I listened to stories of families who did indeed wait to start kindergarten, I tried to imagine what implications we would have with our daughter ultimately as a 2027 graduate or a 2028 graduate. I made pro & con lists folks. I even drew a time line with smiley stick figures to visualize our choice. I will hang my head in shame over this self imposed madness, but I'll be damned if anyone ever accuses me of making a thoughtless decision. ;)

I could share with you the research, the lists and countless conversations. I could explain why we're doing what we're doing, but here's what finally pushed me off the fence:

All of the reasons I would have registered Annie for kindergarten this year came from societal presumptions and pressure from a few peers.

All of the reasons we would do a year of Pre-K before kindergarten, came from what was best for our family and what we feel long term is best for our child.

(I'm embarrassed I gave it thought beyond the second bullet point.)

We have a smart cookie, Annie was anything but oblivious to the ongoing debate this past week. She worked through the timeline with us, and asked me why some of the stick people were named "freshman, sophomore, etc"

I explained.

Then she asked me: "what's college?"

I told her that is when she would pack up her bags, move out, and go learn somewhere else. A long, long time from now.

She told me she never wanted to leave her family, she loves us and wants to live with us forever.

She's four.

I know this sentiment will change.

(Oooh, will it change! And I can't wait to remind her of these innocent thoughts one day!)

The public school system can have their time with her from 6-18.

We're soaking up the full 0-5.