Rhys had his first preschool interview this morning. Yes, that’s what I said, his interview. I don’t think I had my first interview till about age 16 and Rhys had his first at 28 months old. That’s not going to be his only one either. He has his second coming up this Wed and several others to follow. Now, I know whose of you with young kids in the San Francisco area, or the Manhattan area, know exactly what I am talking about, but for those of you else where, let me explain the torment we have been going through. In order to get Rhys into a preschool in the fall of 2008, we had to start this process in the fall of 2007. August/September is when you start calling schools to express your interest getting your child into their school. They will then schedule a school tour for you. This may be an individual tour or in a group with other parents, but in either case it is for parents only. So in-line with getting the tour to fit my schedule, I also have to have it fit John’s, so he can watch the boys or hire a babysitter for the morning. Only after you have taken the tour will you then be allowed to receive an application. The applications, WOW! There were less essay questions on my college applications. Each of these applications is then sent in, due by mid Dec, with an application fee of between $50 and $200. Now starts the “interview” process. None of the schools call it an interview. They all have names like, “play date” or “family visit”. I even listened to the director at our Saturday interview explain how it wasn’t an interview, they just wanted to hear that what we envisioned for our child’s education was in line with what they were trying to do at their school. Sounds like an interview to me, they want to see if we are right for their company…err, school. Not to mention my name tag said interviewee on it. Finally we will get decisions in March (I’m sure not all the schools at the same time) when we have one week to commit with a large deposit. Well, at least I can rest easy when Rhys is settled into a preschool this fall… or not since Myles will be a year out and it will be time to start the entire process for him. insert whimper