Apr 28 2009
Preschool is a Conspiracy
Here’s how I think preschool was formed: A bunch of kindergarten teachers sat around complaining that they and their students were always sick. To solve the problem they decided to create preschool. That way our children build up their immune systems before entering kindergarten. Oh sure, they’ll still be sick on occasion, but not nearly as often as they would have been without being subjected to the germs in preschool. My daughters became sick within a week of their first day of preschool. They all had a nasty cold that just wouldn’t go away. Since then we’ve had one case of pink eye, two stomach bugs, numerous colds, various fevers, possibly a case of Fifth’s Disease… am I leaving anything out?
Don’t get me wrong… preschool has been a wonderful thing for my daughters. Their speech has improved, they’re making friends, they’re learning all sorts of new and great things. They had to build their immune systems at some point, but you’ll cut me some slack since I’m dealing with four young immune systems, right? School is almost over for the year… I just hope the germs aren’t as cruel to us next year. (Can you tell by this post that one of my daughters is sick today?)
11 Responses to “Preschool is a Conspiracy”
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Preschools are breeding grounds for every possible germ around. I, as a former preschool teacher, was sick all the time during my first year of teaching. By the end of my teaching career, I could be vomitted and sneezed on everyday and still not end up getting sick. I had morphed into some super-human germ fighting machine.
I hope your little one feels better. On the downside, I’m not sure kindergarten is much better. You still have several kids that have never been out of the home and have not built up the defensive germ fighting system of others. So, sorry.
Kristi
What??? This doesn’t end once they go to kindergarten? I’m doomed!! I figure this summer we’ll be pretty healthy and the cycle will start again in the fall when they’re back in school… or they’ll morph into the super-human germ fighting machines of which you spoke. One can dream.
Oddly enough the last few times one of them has been sick it hasn’t spread to all four. Hubby and I have been “lucky” to only catch something from them once (so far)… of course, that was the stomach bug that had all six of us down for the count, so maybe “lucky” isn’t the right word.
My daughter got sick an awful lot in preschool but she has only gotten sick twice this year once was a stomach flu and once was a horrible cold that turned to croup. So I do find kindergarten a little better.
Also now that she is in kindergarten there isnt a whole bunch of kids sucking on the toys etc… so there are probably less evil little germs in the class. I think lice is more of an issue now though as we seem to get letters home about lice every week.
I put a little tea tree oil in her shampoo and in the leave in conditioner/detangler I make for her hair and so far so good, no lice to deal with yet.
Croup! I forgot to put that on my list of things that we’ve had in our house this year. How could I forget that one??? Oh and as for lice… I’m just waiting for the day it happens. With four, it’s inevitable.
Luckygirl: I have to tell you, preschool has been wonderful for them and me. It’s nice to have a break (ha ha), but we were fortunate enough to qualify for preschool in through our school district (meaning it’s free). If we had to pay for it I’m pretty sure the cost we be something similar to sending them to college.
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Sadia: So far the germs have stayed just with Cakes and she seems in much better spirits this afternoon. Whatever it takes to build up their immunity right?
Good luck! For us, the first year in day care was brutal - but then they’re immune systems go way up and they rarely get sick (at least that’s our trend so far) - so hopefully the worst is already past for you.
My only concern is that the summer break will not help me win my fight against germs and we’ll start the cycle all over.