Does it seem to you that a lot of parents use their kids going to preschool as a status symbol? (childcare, activities)

[thatsallrightmama]

It's that way in our city. There seems to be a "my child is more smart/social than yours because MY child goes to preschool and yours doesn't" type of mentality, plus there is the status symbol of parents who brag about paying tuition.

When our son was 2-1/2, the school psychologist indicated that he was almost kindergarten level academically. I take him out at least 5x/week to places where he is exposed to hours of socialization with other kids (parks, library, Lego kids club, indoor play areas, etc). I plan to enroll him in Pre-K early next year.

[rrah]

No, I never ran into that. Most people I know sent their kids to preschool because they wanted an early education experience for the children.

[Stagemomma]

Just say something like "I'm so fortunate that I can afford to keep him home with me. We have so much fun exploring our community!"

They might puzzle over your confidence that YOUR choice is the one that conveys status, not theirs.

OR just ask them their opinion of x preschool. People love it when you ask their opinion, even if you have no actual interest.

It really is okay for them to feel superior, if you don't actually care what they think of you.

Sometimes when you think people are bragging, it really is just because they are proud of their kid and not really in competition with yours.

[HighFlyingBird]

never ran into that...and I ran with a somewhat affluent crowd. Some people did preschool (low cost to very costly) or no preschool...or homeschool...or co-op preschool. Etc. I wonder what message you are actually running into.

[BirdieBelle]

That's like Elvis bragging about the high amount of income tax he paid.

People who don't really understand economics might think tuition is something to brag about.

[tiredtired]

Um, no. People send their kids to preschool because it's expected of children in my area.

[rs1n]

I would much rather be able to spend more time with my kids than send them off to early school (or daycare). They don't stay little for all that long, unfortunately. Alas we both work. Since school was about the same price as just regular daycare, we went with school. I think the trend these days is that more couples are having kids later, both have careers, and hence there is a little bit more financial flexibility in terms of the types of childcare.

[Kibbiekat]

Um , no. Then again, I'm not sure I ever really knew anyone who didn't put their kids in preschool. It was pretty much a given that that's what you do, around age 3-4, if you can afford it. It isn't just about socialization. They learn how to behave in a school setting, learn letters and numbers, how to write their names, they have play-based centers that they rotate through, and it helps get in the school routine. Most of them are only 3 or so hours, 2-3 days/week. There is still lots of time for other activities.

[Kibbiekat]

Originally Posted by HighFlyingBird

never ran into that...and I ran with a somewhat affluent crowd. Some people did preschool (low cost to very costly) or no preschool...or homeschool...or co-op preschool. Etc. I wonder what message you are actually running into.

Me too.

[Mattie]

I've yet to run into a free pre-school, so tuition is a given, not a bragging point.

If you're secure in your choice, and it seems you should be, why does this bother you? You'd better grown thicker skin, the Mommy Wars can be brutal.