Genuinely don't know if I'm being UR or not.
My DS started at a really lovely preschool at the start of the year. He was almost 3, I'm a SAHM and he'd never been left with anyone but grandparents before. The ladies who work there are wonderful and after a week of having to peel him off my leg, he settled really well and is thriving there. He was initially doing 4 mornings a week, which we paid for in full, which has increased to three full days this term, 15 hours of which are now funded as he's had his birthday. Reason for sending him initially was for him to start to socialise with other children, as I think it's a bit unfair to never have him in a childcare environment before school. I was never one for groups much so I wanted him to have the benefit of that new experience.
When the email went around asking about which days we wanted for next year, I asked to increase his days to 4 full days from January next year to prepare for full time school. I was told at next pick up by the manager that they'd noted my request and would fit him in if they could but that priority was given to working mothers over SAHMs, even if they were new starters (after I'd been told when we joined that priority was given to children who were already attending).
Been to pick DS up today and was told that he's is getting tired, asking for me and getting a bit upset by pick up time and could I come half hour earlier for a few weeks until he's used to missing his nap (he was napping in the afternoons still for an hour or two, which he didn't really need because it was causing all sorts of bedtime shenanigans but he is still getting used to the adjustment). Fine, no problem, happy to do it. His well-being is my priority. But then a comment about working mums have no choice but to leave them in all day but SAHMs can come whenever they like to collect so they knew I'd be fine with it.
This is not a working vs stay at home mums post, I have a nothing but admiration for mums who work and juggle childcare. I also realise that I'm fortunate to be in a position where I can choose not to work at the moment. However here's my aibu.
I don't work, currently, it's true. However I plan to return to work in around a year, and as DS has settled so well and is enjoying his time there so much I've been happy to start retraining from home because my work qualifications are out of date. I'm also juggling this with a baby (I study during nap times, I'm lucky that I have another reliable sleeper) So no, my time is not taking up with paid employment but neither am I sat around at home having a jolly old time with no pressing demands on my time. I am flat out most of the time, but I'm doing what's needed for me to rejoin the working world.
How do the preschool know what's going on with peoples lives? You could have caring responsibilities, volunteer, have a disabled dependant who needs full time care, actually work part time but not enough to qualify for the 30 hours funding (which is how they judge if you work or not), have health - physical or mental - issues that mean you need that provision just as much as someone who works. To just make the assumption that people must be prioritised just because they work seems unfair to me.
Aibu?