How to Know If Your Child is Ready to Start School

I am a stay at home mom to a five and six year old. About three years ago I was anti preschool. I didn't understand what the point was of putting your child into preschool if you were going to be home all day. Then two years ago I decided that I'd better put my son into preschool before he started Kindergarten in order to avoid a major meltdown. I wanted to put him in just three days a week to get used to being away from me and having a routine, but they only offered five days for his age. I figured if he was going to be in preschool I might as well put my daughter in for a few days as well. I then realized that it would be easier to have no kids rather then just one so I put her into a five day class as well. They both adjusted great and did really well and seemed to enjoy it.

My children are seventeen months apart and my son is the oldest of the two. He's very sensitive, but other than that he's smart and mature and I didn't really worry about him when I sent him off to Kindergarten this past school year. He had an excellent year and we only had one or two meltdowns all year long, which I thought was great. Now that the new school year is approaching I find myself worrying about my daughter. School starts in one month and she just turned five this past week. I think I'm worrying about the fact that she's going to be almost a full year behind some of the kids in her class in age. She's a very small little girl. However, she is the baby of the family and you can tell. I really worry about whether or not she's ready. I have all these silly thoughts and concerns going through my mind. Now I'm sure a big part of it is that fact that I will have two kids in school all day starting this fall and I'm not sure how to handle it.

I'm just trying to keep in mind that she keeps up with her big brother. Now she's not reading or writing like he is but she can do many other things that he can. Her art skills are amazing, she can memorize and sing songs like you wouldn't believe and she can keep up with the bigger kids when we have friends over. I'm sure she'll be fine. I'm just struggling with the whole thing. Wish me luck as the school year approaches!