I also know that this is for some reason a highly sensitive subject. So I know that some will think I am right, some will think I am wrong and probably all of you will think I am crazy. Guess what? That is the best thing about being the mom. I get to make the decisions for me and my family.
So there - nany-nany-boo-boo.
Oh, wow I am feeling a little spicy today - this post may be an interesting one.
I have to start by really eating my words on this one. (I hate that when that happens don't you - and for some reason I usually find myself with a mouthful - you think I would learn) There are a few people in particular over the past couple of years that I have said some pretty strong things to about home schooling. (I know, hard to believe that I spoke my mind with my strong opinions) Ummm... sorry. I was not in their shoes and did not know all the details of their situation.
Here it goes, I have been known to say things like
"Kids need to learn to be in the real world - school is part of life."
"Some home school kids are weird. They are not socialized and although may be "smarter" are not equipped to deal with people which is just about 90% of what life is"
"The point of raising kids is to make them well adjusted, functioning parts of society - how are you going to do that if you keep them home in your sheltered world?"
Okay so that was when I had a three year old and I was far from making this decision. Kindergarten, homeschooling, private school, etc hadn't even crossed my mind. I spoke on preconceived notions and I didn't have the full picture. And although I do believe that those and other statements may be true in part, they aren't the end all be all for everyone's situation.
I know for a fact that I have met several well adjusted - "not weird" kids that are home schooled. They have tons of friends and activities that they are involved in. They are learning more in a shorter amount of time and do not have to be at school for 8 hours a day and then have homework every night.
So on to why I decided to home school Caleb for kindergarten.
First of all, Caleb is the oldest of three kids that are all very close together in age. He went from being the baby to big brother of two very fast. I often require a lot more of him because frankly he can handle it. He doesn't need me to baby him through life. He is independent and sure of himself and a very fast learner. So, here it is 5 years later and it is kindergarten time! Wow, time flies. I know that as soon as we enter that KISD school district life is going to change BIG time. Early carpool, 4 o'clock pick up, homework after that - and then off to an activity if we choose to do that as well.
So I thought to myself. Yes this is what everyone does, but is it what we have to do?
Nope. We have a choice. I can protect my kids and my family from the crazy hectic lifestyle for a little longer. We have the flexibility to go to the science and nature museum without it being a crazy packed Saturday. We will have the flexibility to get all of our work done and still have time for play for a little longer. We can go on a road trip with dad and take our school with us. And IF we decide to do (ONE) activity like soccer or baseball or whatever it may be- we will not be finishing homework as we run out the door, as we grab some fast food, as we head to practice.
TANGENT ALERT:
I have some pretty strong opinions on putting kids in thousands of activities at a young age and justifying it under that fact that "they really enjoy it" - yeah right, everyone loves being stressed out to the max running to and fro with their head cut off like a turkey while trying to balance ballet, soccer, recitals, baseball, family time, homework, enough sleep, playtime, etc. Sounds like a lot of fun to 3-5 year olds to me - all just because everyone else does it and we don't want our kids to be the ones that are behind....
Someone has to protect the boundaries of these kids being kids. Sure playing soccer is fun with your friends - but some of these teams are practicing up to three nights a week PLUS games. It seems to be a little ridiculous at the cost of family time, sanity, sleep and schedules. Here's a novel idea - get a group of kids together (or just your own) at an appropriate time and play soccer or ballet with them. The kids just really want to spend time with you anyway, you can still help develop whatever they are interested in. You wouldn't be spending every single night a week running around and don't get me started on the cost... It is small fortune for all the gear, uniforms, shoes, etc. that your kids HAVE to have or they will be the ones that are left out... Or what about what it costs in costumes and makeup to have a 3 year old in a ballet recital? Really?
Sure, sure. I know that organized team sports are great for learning all sorts of things, and at some point kids have to develop those skills if they are going to be good at it - but come on when they are that little? Darn it! - there I go again expressing strong opinions. Did I mention that I was a slow learner?" Anyway, that might get more people fired up than my homeschooling spiel. Oh well, I can take it.
Back to home schooling. Part of our jobs as moms is to figure out what makes our kids tick. I know that Calebs love language is time and touch. He craves that one on one attention and loves to be right on top of your lap - even though he is huge! He is so inquisitive and wants to sit and spend time talking about things forever. Unfortunately, as intentional as I try to be about this with him. I fail. There aren't enough hours in the day and the demands of #2 and #3 are higher since they are not as self sufficient.
So, I was thought to myself what if I could give Caleb that gift. A gift of a full year of time and focus before he has to go on to the "real world". It would not only be good for Caleb and me, but also for our family. We would be able to preserve this precious time and flexibility that we have together for just a little longer. Sure it would be easier in a sense to send him to school, have #2 and #3 go to preschool and I could actually be home, alone for 5 hours a day!! Think of the things I could get done - maybe our laundry wouldn't be piled up to the moon, I could finally organize some cupboards, or work out. Hmmm... maybe I am beginning to change my mind.
No, actually as nice as that would be - it will come. This is a season in our lives. I am trying so hard to be intentional. To take the good with the bad. The craziness and the sweet, sweet moments. To be patient and to cherish it all, because once it's gone - well, it's gone.
I have some other opinions about the school system and questions on why kindergarten needs to be a full day program. We keep kids in school longer, cut out recesses, shorten lunches, and test more. All because we think that the quality of learning will go up, but it doesn't seem to be working. The time at the school does not equate quality.
Make no mistake this isn't about teachers. There are some amazing teachers out there. In fact, we have several in our family. Teachers do hard work for little pay and truly are acting selflessly when they choose that career path. The problem is not the teachers it is the system. They are bound by red tape and regulations and are not able to manage their classrooms and tap into the kids individual learning styles because everything has to be so standardized. I hope that there can be change for this in the future. But like it or not it is the way it is and soon enough I am sure my kids will find themselves in the school system and I am sure they will do great. I say this because my plan is to do it for a year, but I don't know what the year after that will hold. What if it is amazing and I want to continue? What if it is not? What if I can't teach kindergarten math? (Austin is actually strongly concerned in this area - rightfully so because if you knew what my math skills were like - well let's just say you would be scared too.)
Good news. I don't have to worry about next year, or the year after than. We will just wait and see. Until then though, the Miller Prep Academy will be the school for him.
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