To ask what you would do with preschool

[mumwithanxiety]

I'll preface this by saying I've namechanged and suffer terribly from anxiety which manifests mainly as health anxiety.

DS is 3 1/2 and thus far has never been to pre school or nursery (flexible jobs which has meant he can stay at home with us). In September we signed him up to start preschool in December, however with Scarlett fever etc pre school suggested we pushed him back to January.

So he's due to start next week but I'm terrified, I don't know what to do. I'm so worried about how ill he will get and what he will bring home (I'm vulnerable). DH has said we should just not send him but in my heart I know it would in theory do him a lot of good.

What would you all do? We are fortunate to have this choice I know many have no option but to send in. But with all the viruses and strep A etc would you keep at home until the spring?

Childminders offer the same as other settings but in smaller group's so tend to have less illnesses would this be a better first step for you?

I think you’d be doing him a disservice if you let your own anxieties stop him from attending a pre-school environment. School will hit him like a brick if he doesn’t have the gentler intro of pre-school. Expectations about behaviour and independence are high even for the little ones and suddenly having to deal with 29 other kids if you haven’t been in a more social environment will be hard. He probably will get sick but it’s better now while you have flexible jobs and he’s not missing school.

My second started preschool at 2 a few mornings a week in September. Yes she has caught a lot of bugs but she is also very gradually getting used to sharing, school dinners, sitting on the carpet and all the other things they need to know before they start reception. It comes at them thick and fast in reception so any help you can give them to prepare is really good

Just because he doesn't know he's missing out doesn't make it better.

He will get ill either now or on spring or when he starts school. Its just their immune system kicking in.

If you feel the time is right try to push through your fears and send him in. Ots not fair to put your anxiety on him.

Is he due to start school Sept 23? If yes I’d definitely send him now.
One benefit of only being pre school and you not needing childcare is you can keep him off if he’s under the weather. I think some children seem sick a lot as they don’t get chance to recover - schools push attendance and parents can’t take time off.
Do what you can - fresh air, hand washing, good diet/vitamins too.

Why is your friend constantly at a&e? Kids get ill and it can mostly be managed at home.

You really can’t let your anxiety rule whether you keep him at home, at some point he has to go to school. He will be exposed to germs and he will get ill. Also pre school gives them an idea of what school will be like and allows them to make friends.