I have never been a big advocate of preschool. Don't get me wrong, I know there are educational benefits and that some people don't have a choice whether or not to leave their kids while they work to support them. It's just that as a stay at home mom for the last 8 years, I have never been in a big hurry to kick my kids out of the nest. I mean, I home-schooled my oldest daughter up until this year—and reluctantly put her in public school at the ripe old age of 7. So maybe you can understand why I am having a little trouble wrapping my brain around the fact that I just enrolled my 3 ½ year old in preschool.

Granted, she is very excited about going—especially since her older sister gets to go to school every day and for the past 6 months she has been stuck at home with me all day. And sure, it's only two days a week for four hours a day. It's not like she's going off to college, for heaven's sake. But in my heart and mind, she might as well be. To think of her out there in the world without me, is well, daunting. But I am starting some classes toward my Master's degree in a few weeks and was looking for options for her. 

Although my Mom could keep her the three days a week I'll be in class, this seemed like a better fit for everyone. My daughter gets some peer time and my Mom doesn't have to commit to more than one day a week. Problem is, logic doesn't apply in matters of the heart. I know she'll be fine. She'll probably be better than fine. If she's anything like her older sister she'll be pushing me out the classroom door before I'm ready to leave. But that's what we want for our children, right? Confidence, independence, the ability to be well-adjusted. Sure, I guess. So maybe it's guilt or maybe it's just that I need to get over my identity crisis and realize my kids are okay without me for awhile. But I can at least take credit for the fact that they're well adjusted, can't I?