Nadine Silverthorne

It was one thing when my baby boy turned four. He started to refuse anything he deemed "too baby." But I got over it. I had to.

Then I got an email a few weeks ago, informing me that preschool grad was a week away. My son, graduating preschool, entering Kindergarten in the fall -- how the heck did that happen?

Before I was a mom, I would have thought that preschool graduation was just another capitalist invention to sell greeting cards and useless gifts. But in the world of modern motherhood, it's an opportunity to take stock of the years that have passed. (Besides, greeting cards are wasted on those who don't read yet!)

I have a lot of guilt about my choices (I'm Armenian -- I was raised on guilt) and for a long time I wondered if I was doing Nate a disservice by going back to work when he was 15-months-old. But at preschool grad I looked around the room at the fabulous people who spend their days with my son everyday. I felt truly happy and blessed that these caring, patient women (not to mention the incredible little kids) were there to brighten my son's day.

We found him a good spot -- not a perfect spot by any means, but a place that we could afford and that he seemed to get a lot out of socially. Regardless of how many times he said, "I don't want to go today," at pick up time he never wanted to leave.

I remember early on, meeting with the teachers and asking what they did for Kindergarten prep. They responded coolly, "We teach them how to behave around other children, how to get in line, how to sit quietly when asked and how to follow a teacher's instructions." We get so caught up in who's kid is learning French and eating organic at daycare, that we forget the truly simple-yet-important skills a good preschool/daycare centre should provide.

Teacher friends always say that kids who have attended a daycare are a joy to teach in Kindergarten; that they come ready to learn. My son can't quite write out his name well yet, but he's so excited about Kindergarten that he quivers with joy when telling friends that he's going in the fall (and that his best-friend Nathan will be in his class).

Watching my son go up to receive his diploma signified a turning point for me. I no longer feel guilty about my choice -- I completely feel it was the best decision for my family.

There are so many bad news stories about putting one's kids in the care of others. I thought I'd say thank you to Miss Heather, Miss Rosa, Miss Michele, Miss Kathrina and Miss Rachel by sharing a good one.