Is This Med School or Nursery School?

Harvard for a 2 year old? I wish it was that easy.

Yummy Mummy is unfortunately in the middle of the dreaded nursery school application process. If you happen to live outside of a major city you will have no idea what I am talking about. If you happen to live in one, you like me are about to claw your eyes out (very very slowly). Yep, it's that bad.

I think what is really bothering me is that unlike when I applied to undergrad, and law school, where I was the one who was being judged, now this judgment is now being passed onto my little man. My perfect and wonderful little man. My perfect and wonderful 2 year old. The idea that someone could give him a big denied or even worse put him on some sort of arbitrary wait list literally makes me want to cry. The worst part is that he will be denied based upon how "school worthy" we are. Are we accomplished enough, do we have the right connections, or live in the right neighborhood? Who knows what these decisions are based on. Do they want me to be a stay at home mom, or so they want me to work? Do they want a mother who volunteers or one who will be hands off and not meddle?

I know what you are thinking, who cares what these people think? Or, are you one of those crazy "private" school moms? No, no I am not. In fact, we moved to Cambridge with the idea that we will absolutely enroll our little man in public school for at least k through 6/8 or possibly all the way. My husband and I were both public school kids and we turned out quite all right ending up a doctor and a lawyer, respectively (not that that means anything). The problem is that there are not any nursery schools where we live that don't make you go through this crazy application/ interview process. I'm even more limited because I don't want the little man to go to "school" more that 2 half days a week which leaves me with only 3 real options. I just really want him to be out of the house in a safe school where he can learn how to socialize, 2 days a week. Is that too much to ask? Apparently it is.

 I decided early on that I couldn't stand being rejected from all three schools, so I would pick my favorite and basically put all my eggs in that one basket. This of course has made me somewhat of a basket case. Our first interview is on Feb 5 and I am already planning my wardrobe. Trying to study all I can about the school, and talk to anyone and everyone who has gotten a golden acceptance letter in the past. The Husband on the other hand has agreed to show up. Period, end. He views this whole thing as a sham, and sometimes I have to agree. Basically there will be about 80+ families applying for 5 or so spots. A five day a week program will run you about 17,000 a year (can you say not happening???) and a 2 day program is 7,500 which is not much more than a babysitter is for the same hours so that is much more doable, and rational, he will only be two for Christ's sake. 

Now you see why I wish we were applying for Harvard. At least then the price would be justified and the odds of him getting in there are about the same as getting into "x" nursery school.