Frith O’Steen

So, let me start off by saying - I know that Decker is only 17 months old (officially today! Happy 17 months, Decker!), so preschool is still a ways off. (Thank heavens - I’m sure it will be much harder on me than him when that day arrives). But - I also know that these days, and in this area, it can be stressful to figure out what places are available for your kids, let alone what ones you’d actually feel good about this attending. (Silly me, I thought it was just about fingerpainting and circle time…). So, since the local preschool/parenting resources info fair was being held at the community center just down the road from us, I decided to go a year early, so that I would know what to expect next year and not be so overwhelmed. At the last minute, I asked Sean if he would give up part of his Saturday morning and come with me - bless his heart, he agreed.

I figured it would be a little busy, but oh my gosh. The parking lot was like the Colliseum on a game day! We found a spot finally, wound our way inside, and were immediately encountered with a brigade of strollers and wall to wall parents and ankle biters. Yikes. Deep breath, take the plunge…First room - parenting resources, including La Leche League, Foster Parents, Wills/Estates…yikes, no thanks. Ok, next room - ohmygosh is this a preschool fair or a college fair? (Or, based on some of the folks volunteering at some of the tables, a military recruitment fair?). We were able to narrow it down a little bit - stay away from the ones that look too pricey, we probably won’t end up at a Spanish bilingual or Jewish themed school (not racist, but I speak German and neither of us are Jewish!), and what the heck is “prekindergarten”? I mostly tried to just quietly pick up fliers and move around quickly, but got tagged by a couple of folks at different tables. I liked the mellow attitude of the Lafayette co-op, but the Pleasant Hill one was scary! (Here’s an example:

                    Me: So, what’s the story with your waiting list? I had some folks tell me that I needed to get on one before I was even pregnant!

                    Lafayette: (chuckles). No, no. Pretty much the January before they turn 3, you would want to come talk to us and check us out. (Goes on to explain the pretty mellow time commitments of the co-op, very low key, nice lady).

                    Pleasant Hill: Ohmygosh well you had really ought to get him on a list right away we have an open house next Saturday it would really be in your best interest to attend and submit that application like tomorrow because we always have a very long waiting list and we’re very popular….(said without blinking or taking a breath).

Yeesh. So glad I went this year, so that next year I am prepped for the madness that is my fellow cohort of yuppie parents. On the plus side, Decker was really well behaved and got a yellow balloon that he kept bopping Sean in the face with (heh). Sean was a very good sport. We also ran into some old acquaintances there who are now the parents of 2! and it made us realize how fast the time goes by. I’m enjoying the calm before the preschool storm while I can!