My daughter Emily is starting Kindergarten next fall. I have really been researching the pros and cons of where we want her to be next year (and when I say “researching” I mean asking every mom I can her opinion, with a little bit of internet reading about the public schools in our school district).
Our public school district is not bad at all. Most parents I know who have their kids in public schools here say that not only do the schools have reasonably high academic standards, but they also still have a strong Christian influence, which is very important to my husband and me. The church we attend offers an excellent private school, and Emily currently goes to preschool there. They not only teach her the foundational truths of Christianity, but they also have extremely high academic standards, which is also very important to me and my husband. Parents I have talked to say it’s great. Kindergarten students are learning how to conjugate verbs! Since Emily is one of the oldest kids in her class, and she is a very fast learner, this is also important.
Then there is home school. I know my friend Kelly will have a few comments to share on this topic! 🙂 Again, our church offers an excellent alternative for homeschooling families. We have a “Home School Depot,” a house a lady bought and turned into a school house. All homeschooling children come 2-3 times a week. They get the socialization, and the classroom setting. The moms volunteer to teach one day a week or more in a subject they are strong in, thus also giving students the help they need that the parent may not be able to offer. They have chapel once a week, plus extra curricular/elective activities. But am I cut out to be with her seven days a week, and have the patience to teach her? While I long to have my teaching degree, I do not know if I am cut out to home school my own daughter. I welcome the comments from all perspectives on this subject!
The only thing I have gathered from all my “research” is that every family is unique and parents make their choices differently, and for different reasons. There is no right or wrong choice, only the choice that is right for your family. You are not a better or worse parent because you choose to home school, or because you choose to put your kids in public school!
I love being Emily’s room mom because that means I know the teacher and the parents, and they know me. You can not depend on a school (or church) to give your child what they need spiritually if you are not involved with it yourself. The most important factor in a child’s education, spiritually or academically, is the direct involvement of the parents.
Amen! And it’s the primary responsibility of us as parents to teach our kids. Thank heaven’s for help and resources, but at the end of the day it’s still ours. I just shared some of my learning experiences in a recent post on the education topic. It’s clear from my comments and e-mails that I’m not alone in the thoughts. ;o)
Hugs,
Holly
Holly’s Corner
Thought I’d jump in since I was encouraged by Angel. Primarily it is about parent involvment. I am believe that if a parent stays involved in a child’s education of any form that the child will reach it’s full potential. What we as parents have to ask ourselves is what is our child’s potential? Homeschooling for me has helped me to see and know Zach’s potential and witness even more firsts in his life.(Zach is my oldest, 8yrs, 3rd grade)
Zach participates in many more “extra” activities because he is homeschooled. The things that he is interested in would not be offered in a public and even some private schools. If he didnot have the opportunity to school at a faster pace without “homework” he couldn’t tap dance, take piano, sing in kids choir and do a sport. Obvioulsy Zach is a creative kid. My prayer for all my children is this…Lord help me to help them discover the destiny you have planned for them even at a young age. We feel that homeschooling gives us that opportunity to lay a foundation so that our kids will know that destiny and seek after it. We are there to give guidance and teach obedience. Each year we evaluate if homeschooling is our best option…so far it has been. We are homeschooling for our 4th year and plan to continue until the Lord or some kind of circumstance dictates we need to change our lifestyle. We love the lifestyle it gives us.
We take vacations when it is not the “busy” time and frequently take long weekend trips to see family. School is portable and so are we. Educating your child is a personal choice, but homeschooling really is a great tool. I encourage you to ask questions, do research and pray for God to guide you. He will.
Home school, or home education as it’s known here – the only way for me and my kids but I have friends whose kids are thriving and loving school – it’s all about finding the best for YOU and your kids.
I jolted you btw….
I agree with everyone above. All of my children have gone through public school and have had GREAT experinces and I have been the class mom, Prez of the PTA, Soccer mom.. all that Jazz. It really is about support your childs education wether it be at home or in school. With that being Said, It always Amazes me when I hear about Homeschooling moms. I would love to sit in on one of their sessions – I really love the concept but not sure that I am cut out for it.
You’d be welcome to come over and see what we do. Right now my kids are building something with a magnetic construction set. Later I’ll probably get the older one to sit and do some reading with me. We may bake. We may not, we might just go for a walk. Each day is different and we react to the weather and do what we see fit.
But there is always a hot kettle for drinks and usually some home baked cake or cookies!
We are in the same stage with our daughter, who is 4, and will start kindergarten next year. Thankfully we are zoned for the “best” school in our district. Everyone, including our next door neighbor, raves on about our elementary school but one thing is constant…it is the strong parental involvement that has made this school what it is. The problem is that our middle school is not so great. So many parents are sending their kids to the elementary school and then enrolling them in private for middle school. I am hopeful that by the time my daughter is ready for middle school that some significant changes have been made. If not, we will have to rethink public school at that time. I don’t think I am cut to homeschool but I love the idea of the Home School Depot that your church offers. That is awesome. Great post. I know this topic has been on my mind quite a bit lately!