# @janylsmithesq on Instagram

- **Type:** Video
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DU_xl-wkvdz
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/57141985-janylsmithesq-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/91895f8a45.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-02-20T22:28:36.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Janyl Smith (@janylsmithesq) — https://gondola.cc/janylsmithesq

## Caption

I received quite a few DMs asking why we decided to unenroll Cooper from his Montessori preschool. I’m sharing the full story here in three parts because I couldn’t get it down to 3 mins! This is part three.

To be clear, this is not a critique of the Montessori philosophy. I value it and appreciate the emphasis on independence, practical life skills, and child-led learning. Those core tenets are the reason we wanted Cooper in a Montessori program in the first place. Frankly, our decision had nothing to do with the method and everything to do with the specific school we chose.

We already had one foot out of the door after discovering multiple grammatical errors on a pasting activity he completed at school, which I chatted about in part one. The biting incident and, more specifically, how it was handled, ultimately solidified what had already been building.

What made it especially difficult for me to understand how we got to where we were was that, on paper, everything was right. The school was AMS certified, had certified teachers, and Cooper’s teacher had been teaching for 25 years. The school had been around for decades, had a strong reputation in the community, great reviews, well-resourced classrooms, and a tuition that reflected what you would expect from a high-caliber program. Every external indicator suggested stability and quality. And if you’re not new here or know us personally, you know we’re not just sending our babies anywhere.

This experience reminded me that reputation and credentials, while important, are not substitutes for remaining engaged after enrollment. As parents, we have to remain keyed in, ask questions, and assess how concerns are addressed. Most importantly for me, if something feels misaligned, trusting my instincts is essential.

Advocating for my children’s education is something I learned from my mother. Long before I understood what advocacy meant, I watched it modeled in real time. Our children are always watching—even before they have a true understanding of what they’re witnessing.

#momsofinstagram #intentionalparenting #parentinglittles #montessori #earlychildhoodeducation

## Stats

- **Views:** 15,592
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## Tags

momsofinstagram, earlychildhoodeducation, parentinglittles, intentionalparenting, montessori

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