Any other mommies out there who had to take their 2 year old out of pre-school?

I felt so bad and this was such a tough decision, but we ended up taking our DS (who is 26 months) out of Montessori's Stepping Stones.

I just couldn't stomach his screams and tears and literally holding on to me for dear life as they tried to pry him off my body. Then, when I'd pick him up, he was hysterical crying again.

The teacher told me that he in fact didn't cry all the time, and that there were children much worse; he just didn't like transitioning.

Bottom line....he seemed to take two steps back, he stopped speaking less (he's been in speech therapy for about a year), he started having nightmares and screaming around 2-3am (He always slept through the night).

My poor DS just turned into a very sad child.

My DS wanted to keep sending him, and felt like he'd get over it, which he probably would. But it broke my heart, and I am now trying to find other opportunities for him like "MY GYM" and "Gymboree".

Any other parents in this situation? Any advice?

Re: Any other mommies out there who had to take their 2 year old out of pre-school?

I'm sorry you went through that. Maybe he just wasnt ready yet. What about a Mommy & Me at a pre-school? That way he becomes familiar with the teacher and his surroundings. For the first half you go with him and than slowly seperate over time. It may be an easier transition for him.

Re: Any other mommies out there who had to take their 2 year old out of pre-school?

My DS started "school" at 22 months...

If you search through some old posts, you'll read how HARD it was...

He would wake up in the middle of the night saying "no mommy vroom vroom" (aka don't go in the car and go to work)

I work in the childcare field and know FIRST HAND that it would take time..

I had to be consistent in days (3 days in a row instead of a M-W-F type deal) and I had to stick with it...

It took about 3 weeks, but now he asks every morning if its time for school.

He loves it!

Re: Any other mommies out there who had to take their 2 year old out of pre-school?

If it were my son I would have done the same thing. My son is also in speech therapy, and I only put him in school to help him along. I also promised myself that if he didn't like it I would take him out. Luckily as of now he loves it, but we will see.

I agree with you about putting him in other programs. I have heard good things about My Gym.

Re: Any other mommies out there who had to take their 2 year old out of pre-school?

I would have done the same thing.

2 years old is young...a lot can change in a year.

Re: Any other mommies out there who had to take their 2 year old out of pre-school?

Re: Any other mommies out there who had to take their 2 year old out of pre-school?

The first week DS did the same exact thing, minus the speaking issue. He started waking up at nght screaming and when I would drop him off/pick him up he was hysterical and so was I.

DH and I decided that if this would continue, we were going to take him out. Thankfully for all of us after the frist week, he loved going.

I think you did the right thing and he is very lucky to have you for his mommy!

Re: Any other mommies out there who had to take their 2 year old out of pre-school?

ITA that you did the right thing. It sounds like your little guy just isn't ready for the independance needed for preschool- and that is TOTALLY fine.

I highly recommend joining a class like MyGym. We belong to one and they have a portion of the class where they "promote" separation for a short period of time (like 5-10 minutes). The parents are in the room, but in the vestibule while the little ones play by themselves with each other with the staff interacting with them.

Some kids do well with it- others scream.

Re: Any other mommies out there who had to take their 2 year old out of pre-school?

My son cried for 4 weeks but had a teacher that would home him and gave him special attention. They gave kids a 6 week period for them to get adjusted and if they were still the same way they would come to a decision that they may be to young.
After the 4 weeks he loved it! They couldn't believe it was the same kid. I am glad I stuck it out.

Re: Any other mommies out there who had to take their 2 year old out of pre-school?

You totally did the right thing IMO. A 2 year old doesn't need preschool if he hates it that much. I honestly feel that many parents are doing it more to give themselves the break than "for the child", KWIM? If you do some research, I bet you will find plenty of mommy-and-me style activities where DS can get the same structure and socialization, and many of these programs do encourage gradual limited separation.

Re: Any other mommies out there who had to take their 2 year old out of pre-school?

My oldest son did the same thing!! He cried for two weeks straight-even after I left(from 9:30 to 12:00)!! I took him out and we waited until January and what a difference a few months makes!! He went to school with no problems in January!! I am so glad I took him out and waited-he just was not ready at 2yrs.

Re: Any other mommies out there who had to take their 2 year old out of pre-school?

Some schoolls, especially coops have slow seperation classes for two year olds. Its a much easier transition for many. I would give that a try in your situation.

Re: Any other mommies out there who had to take their 2 year old out of pre-school?

DD also didn't do well in school at 2. We ended up taking her out. We were prepared for a rough transition a year later when she entered 3 year old nursery but she did just fine. She never once cried or got upset and she was completely excited about going. I couldn't believe it was the same child from a year ago. Bottom line was she just wasn't ready.

Trust your mommy instinct. NO ONE, even a teacher, knows better about your child than you. It sounds like you did the right thing by taking him out.