My Feelings About Nursery

Soren has been attending nursery for 6 months now. How time flies! I remember thinking that he would never be old enough for nursery (18 months) and now he's almost two!

I am very grateful that Soren enjoys going and that he doesn't give the nursery leaders any trouble. The biggest tip-off that things are going well for everyone involved is the drop-off. It has always been surprisingly easy, with no tears on Soren's part and lots of enthusiasm on the part of the leaders. Soren huddles near Scott for a moment or two, then rushes to whichever leader holds out the most enticing toy. He is always cheerful when we come to pick him up and the leaders (embarrasingly) gush abour how smart and happy he is. I really am grateful that it is going so well.

But I had a bitter-sweet moment a few weeks ago when I realized that he was growing up a little bit each week without me. He is learning things in nursery--things I didn't teach him! For example, I didn't teach him how to:
* blow bubbles
* sing "I am a Child of God"
* shush at loud noises
* recognize his name when written down
* or color in the lines (sort of)
but he knows how anyways. It makes me understand part of the homeschooling appeal: not missing a moment. It would be nice: always being there when he tries something for the first time, has one of those everyday epiphanies, or uses a new word.

Too bad he has to grow up eventually. I miss a few hours each week now; in a few years it will be much more.

I feel a little more greedy about my time with Soren now, which I'm sure is not a bad thing. I want to use each moment to teach, love, and play with him so that we have good memories to share. I want to be more present when we have those rare, uncluttered moments and to make the most of each day, not just make it through each day.

I also want his home experiences can be the formative ones. They do a great job in nursery but I want to make sure I'm the one that teaches Soren the important things.

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