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What About Mom and Dad?
Preparing Parents for Preschool By Gail Johnson
Parents need to start investigating preschools nine to 10 months ahead of the time their child plans to enroll. "Many preschools with fall start dates have registration in February so parents should start checking out schools in December and January," says Peckels. "They will need that much time to observe several programs, get feedback from a variety of people and compare prices."
Fear of the Unknown
Another obstacle mothers face is an uncertain future that comes with a new experience. "Mothers have a great fear of the unknown," says Peckels. When a child goes to a new place with new people mothers struggle with many questions: Will my child be OK? Will someone be watching out for my child's needs? Will they be safe? In addition, many parents are scared of how their children will behave without them. "How a child behaves in another setting is a reflection on that parent, and many parents are nervous about that," says Peckels. "There is a lot riding on this first experience, and many parents fear that if their child misbehaves it means they are a bad parent."
Practice Makes Perfect
Parents also have a hard time letting go of their child. "It's difficult for parents to let go of the responsibility and control that they have built since their baby was born," says Peckels. One way parents can turn over some control is to practice letting go. "When the child is an infant, mothers should practice allowing their child to be away from them. They should start by leaving the child with friends, relatives and neighbors they trust. It takes practice, just like children need practice."