Mixed Blessings, Part 2
Okay ... so the other post was what I put on my MySpace Blog for BB's BF to read. It's all true, just a little spin on it.
Anyway, the Montessori thing is really going to bite BB in the butt. Not only will she have to deal with making SS' lunch every day, and the no nap thing ... but current pre-school (PS) doesn't allow parents to volunteer (registered as a daycare, not pre-school). Montessori on the other hand LOVES it when parents volunteer ... well, before when Montessori was on the table I was very excited about being able to volunteer ... so I'm looking forward to that, and I will get more time with SS as a result ... DH will to as he will also volunteer and be involved.
The other thing is that Montessori follows the regular school schedule, so there are a lot of times during the year when they are closed. We have the right to first refusal, so ... BB will have to give us the option of taking care of SS while she is at work, and his school is closed. Of course we will take it ... we already got the 2007-2008 school schedule off the Net and put it in our calendar. Also, of course since it's a school, there will be parent-teacher conferences, christmas shows, etc. She got so pissed when she found out we were communicating with SS' teachers at his current daycare ... it's going to be worse now.
DH put a really good thought in my mind ... he said, "now we just have to be creative." WE have a couple of ideas ... if they come to any fruition I will certainly share.
Now, that I've spent the last two weeks working on this and taking care of SS, it's time to finish studying for my real estate exam. See, now that we have to put him in Montessori ... if I don't pass the RE exam next week, I'll have to go back to working in an office - probably only part-time, but still ... Yuck! I hate following other people's rules and not being able to make time for SS. However, I now have a new found respect for those of you who do not appreciate having your $$$ go toward caring for SKids. I would still do anything for that kid, but ...
Oh, yes ... BB CANNOT afford Montessori ... so we aren't really sure if she'll even follow through with putting him in there in September ... only time will tell.
So, in the mean time ... we are "going dark." We are only going to email her once every other week to ask for our update before our residential time, and to confirm residential time and stuff. We are following the parenting plan BY THE BOOK!!! With the exception of transportation ... it's set up weird ... parent who has the child delivers the child - usually it's the receiving parent provides transportation. Anyway, we pick SS up from school, no later than 2pm, so we get some extra time with him ... otherwise we wouldn't see him until 7pm or so ... AND the reason we do the exchange at school is because we don't want to have to deal with BB.
Okay, I think that finally covers it. Whew!!! Sorry so long ...
~ Katrina
- Mocha2001's blog
- Log in or register to post comments
Comments
Sounds like a good idea....
I didn't know you were studying for your Real Estate Exam... I obtained my license last October. Do you have any idea on where you will go to work?
By the way, I posted on your part 1 entry and my opinion didn't change.
FYI:
For those of you who don't know, Mocha and I live in neighboring counties.
I remember ...
I remember that from our conversation (your voice mail). I plan on going to work for Keller Williams Tacaoma. They do a 60/40 split and the desk fee is only $19k then it goes to 100%. As funny as this may sound, I also like that they have red signs ... catches attention more than white signs.
~ Katrina
Montessori
Hi Katrina!
I have my BS3 in Montessori and I love it. You are correct, it is expensive, AND there are a lot of hidden costs. I pay about an extra $100 a month for before/after school care. School hours are only 9-3 so if my son is there before and after that I pay extra for it. I also pack him a lunch and two snacks every day, and they are very strict about the kids not being able to bring any type of junk food in their lunches. There are registration fees, and we had to pay 2 months tuition up front.
On top of all of that, they do expect the parents to be involved. We bring healthy snacks for all of the kids for holiday parties, there is the annual picnic, programs, etc... I also like to buy little gifts for his teachers. I know teachers don't make much money, so a gift card is greatly appreciated.
They tell the parents what their children need help with and expect the parents to be hands on with the learning. If your child doesn't reach certain milestones during the year they have NO PROBLEM holding them back.
Now, all of that being said, I think putting our son in Montessori was one of the best decisions we've ever made. First, it makes the parents stay involved with their children's education. They communicate with the parents constantly, it's not like the kind of school where you get to the end of the semester and you suddenly realize your child is failing. The teacher/child ratio is low. At our school it's one teacher for every eight students. I don't have to worry about my son going to school and eating french fries for lunch because I pack his lunch! They helped me potty train my son, with their help he was potty trained in 3 days. I'm not kidding.
Also, I know this post is getting long, but I just love Montessori, my son JUST turned 3 in May and he is spelling and reading small words. He's talking in Spanish well enough that I had to go get a Spanish CD for Beginners to learn enough Spanish to understand him. He can say the ENTIRE Pledge of Allegiance. I mean, I just can't say enough about his school.
Okay, I'm done.
I went to Montessori, and so
I went to Montessori, and so did my nephew, so I'm very familiar with their program. We have no problem with him going to school there ... tuition is only about $610 per month, but ... it's the before and after school care at about $18 per day that will kill us. We pay $165 per week for his daycare/pre-school. He's learned a lot, but he is a very smart boy, and will benefit tremendously from Montessori. We WANT him there, it's the before and after school care that is the problem. We asked BB if her BF who is on disability (for a non existing disability) if he would do the before and after school care and she wants us to pay him to do it. I can't believe that. He's known SS since before he was born (DH's former best friend), and he wants to be paid to watch someone who is like a second son to him.
~ Katrina
If you guys are ok
with the outcome, then I am happy for you. I think the only true win would be if the judge came out and said that the BB lost custody. She seems so neglectful and it is obvious how much you love him. I can't believe that the judge didn't allow you more time. Well, I can believe it the way the courts are. I hope everything works out the way you are anticipating it. They need to force that woman into parenting classes!!! SS is just lucky to have you and DH when he does.
Let me know if you have any ???? on the RE Exam. You will do great!!! And you will love the job and how flexible it will let you be. It lets me be a mom before anything else.
That's exactly why I want to
That's exactly why I want to do it, and I can still do my GAL work too. Neither are a guaranteed income, but I figured between the two it will be more than enough. Will you email me your personal email again incase I have any quesitons? I don't think I have it anymore.
~ Katrina
Sounds like you and DH are headed in the right direction.
De inimico non loquaris sed cogities.
It is all about being creative and it can be done even in adhearing to court orders, believe me, I know,lol,lol. Btw, I think that is so awesome(my bs new word) that you and chocoholic live so close. Do the two of you get together?...I want to move to Washington now!!!wwwwwwwwaaaaaaaaa(crying, can you hear me way down here in the south,lol) If I ever decide to move there, I at least know two real estate agents now,lol.
You know 3
Goingcrazy is a real estate broker ...
Choco and I haven't had a chance to get together yet. We have talked on the phone, but that's it. We have talked about getting together. I think there are 4 of us here in Washignton on Step-talk, and at least one on my Yahoo! group.
~ Katrina
Quick Update ...
I emailed Montessori last night because their school calendar was posted already, and asked about student/parent orientation, and parent volunteering. They said they only have a hand full of 4-year old spots left. That SS should be enrolled by the end of July, as they usually fill up by the end of July (of course we aren't going to share that information with BB, and she probably won't enroll him much before the middle of August). So, there is a chance this all may back fire on her.
I would love for SS to go to MOntessori, but can't afford the before and after school care. It would be a 61% increase in OUR SHARE of the expenses. We proposed her BF do the before and after school care, and he wanted to get paid for it - WHATEVER!!!
~ Katrina
With what we learned and
With what we learned and what we know ... we are just going to ride it out. Hopefully landlord will come through, we can get moved down there, and then I can offer to do the before and after school care ... then ... we can afford Montessori, and SS gets the best of both worlds.
~ Katrina