Where Should your Preschooler Spend their Day?

When my oldest was born, I was just 24 years old. I was still a very new teacher and had very little experience with the little, little ones. Considering that my family was four hours away in New York, my biggest concern was who was going to keep my precious baby safe once I went back to work. 

What I did know was that I wanted him to be in a home day care. I didn't like the clinical feel of a day care center. I wanted it to be like he was at a home-away-from home. Luckily, I found someone in my neighborhood who was a mother of five (and expecting number six). She became like a big sister to me and took fabulous care of my little one, until he was about two years old. 

At that point, our day care provider decided to go back to work and we were lost trying to decide whether to find another home care or a day care center. Our choice was another home care. We put our son in a home with a provider that was like a grandmother to him. And he stayed there until he was 4 and ready to start our neighborhood Montessori school. I thought that we did the right thing...

That was until he actually started school. I realized that he never had the practice that the other children had with being in a school-like setting. He missed out on that time that others were learning how to work together, follow directions and share. When he started school, he had to do some adjusting. He wasn't available for learning and this set him back.

That's why when my second son was born, I was determined to do something different. I put him in the same home day care with the "grandmother-like" provider. But when he turned two years old, I pulled him out and put him in a day care center with a classroom setting. I made sure they had a specific curriculum and gave daily reports on how my son was performing academically and socially. He thrived and learned so much there. When it was time for him to start the Montessori school at four, he was ready. He learned to read so fast; I was shocked. Even now that he is seven, I am impressed with his decoding and phonetic skills for reading words way above my expectations. 

So my vote is clear. I know that for many of us, staying at home to take care of our own children is not an option. We are forced to make these difficult decisions. After everything that I've experienced, I really support putting our little ones in a day care center with a proven record, to get them prepared for school. 

 I would love to know what you think. Take my poll and leave a comment.Share your own experiences.

Welcome to Teach, Pray, Laugh!

Imagine that you are finally sitting in front of your oldest and dearest friend that you haven't seen in over ten years. You have soooo much to say, but have no idea where to start. That's how I feel right now; writing my very first blog. Although it's overwhelming, it is so exciting!

So, who am I and what am I all about? My name is Janelle Spalding. I'm also known as the Regal Lady, but that's a story for another time. When creating this blog I spent a lot of time thinking about what it is I have to share with you. What is it about me that would be beneficial to someone, anyone who may stumble upon my random ramblings. So I had to answer those questions for myself. Who am I and what am I all about? Deep, right? I know. 

Well, here goes. I am a mother and wife. Standard answer. Let's go deeper. I'm a mother of 13 and 7 year old boys, a stepmother of 24 year old twins (a boy and girl), a grandmother to a 2 year old and a wife to my crazy husband of 14 years. When I read other blogs, I find that stats like that often include the words "stay-at-home mom." That is a title I have never had. I've actually never wanted to be that. That is not my gift! I actually think the women who stay at home are much stronger than I am. 

Instead, after I had my first son, I continued to work in my career as a TEACHER. That's where the TEACH comes from in my title. It's what I do. I've been a teacher for 16 years, but I don't just teach in my classroom; it is just a natural part of who I am. 

To PRAY. This is my gift from God. I have learned to share my life with Him and in return, He hears me and blesses my life. When I don't know what to do, I PRAY. When I can't take it anymore, I PRAY. When everything is going well, I PRAY. I love the Lord and everything that He does for me and through me is to be acknowledged (and often times with a wink and a nod). 

Haven't LAUGHed yet? Well what's wrong with you? I'm the funniest person I know! I will have you know, I leave my students in stitches on a daily basis. My girlfriends call me when they are having a bad day just for a quick LAUGH. It's what I do. As life goes, in the classroom, and with kids anywhere, There is always a funny to share. Stick with me for a reason to smile and we will learn and grow together. 

I hope you come back to see me soon. Know that I know that I haven't gotten deep at all yet with the uncovering of myself and the "Who am I" question. But we have plenty of time for that. It's summer and I've got nothing but time on my hands. We've merely scratched the surface. I have a lot more to say, here at TEACH, PRAY, LAUGH.

Let me know you stopped by; leave a comment. It would be so encouraging. Talk to you soon!