DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: My oldest grandson turns four this summer. That is the age my six children all started preschool, which I have no doubt helped them get a good start when they began attending kindergarten.
I have spoken to my son and daughter-in-law about this, and while my son seems to agree with me, his wife said she has done her research and studies show there is only a short-lived gain seen in children who start kindergarten after having been in preschool, and she would rather save the money and enjoy her time with her son instead of putting him in a preschool.
I reminded her our school system offers free pre-school to nearly anyone who registers their child for it, so there would be no cost to her and my son.
I think she is being selfish and shortsighted. I have told my son as much, but he won’t say anything to her, since he said they agreed she would make this kind of decision back before they started having children.
Don’t you think a child of four should be in preschool? --- CONCERNED GRANDMOTHER
DEAR CONCERNED GRANDMOTHER: To state the obvious, different things work for different families and children.
It sounds like your daughter-in-law did some homework before deciding to take a pass on preschool. Right or wrong in your opinion, she has her reasons, and as your grandson’s parents, it’s your son’s and daughter-in-law’s job to do what they feel is in their son’s best interest.
You’ve shared your thoughts on the value and benefits of preschool based on your and your children’s experiences, which I believe was a reasonable thing to do. Beyond that though, this is one of those times when, hard as it is, holding your piece is most likely the best way to keep the peace.