I can’t believe I am already trying to decide where to send my daughter to school. She is only 2.5 years old! Okay, she will be 3 in June. That means she is old enough for preschool – yikes! So far she is learning all she needs to at home, so I doubt I will be putting her in preschool, but once she is 4 years old (only 1 short year away) I will have to think about pre-kindergarten, and a current news story I read on Foxnews.com caught my attention and got me thinking a bit about Lizzie’s future education.
The article was about how current public school textbooks have factual errors. This article listed three very major errors, including saying that Christopher Columbus was the first European explorer to reach North America when it was really Lief Errickson! (I did not spell check his last name….I hope I got it right or I am as bad as these text books)
This article referenced how they failed to attribute former President Ronald Reagan for his role in the dealings with Russia. I have to admit, that is a big one to overlook. And the article didn’t even touch on how Kansas has had a heated debate in recent years about how to word science textbooks when it came to teaching the origin of the world.
So I guess I cannot just send Lizzie and David to school and blindly trust that they will be educated according to my standards. But what parent does this? I mean, aren’t all parents somewhat – if even remotely – interested and involved in their child’s education?
So how involved will I be? And which choice is best – should I homeschool, private school or public school my children? I am leaning heavily towards sending my 2 children to the local private Christian school. First, because I have very fond memories of it as a child. I know the faculty there and they care deeply about the children. I prefer a Christian education for them.
I hesitate to homeschool because I simply don’t know if I would have to patience or knowledge to do a quality job. I am sure that if I dedicated myself to the task I could rise up and educate them well. But I am honestly looking forward to those quiet daytime hours with them at school….a little bit.
Public school, well, we have a great one nearby. If I sent my children there I would be super involved. I’d want to know what they are teaching them and correct any mistakes. That, I feel, is my job as a mother.
I am so glad I still have at least another year before having to decide all this. I highly doubt I will homeschool. I really admire the parents that do it. I know that when you dedicate yourself to something like that your children only benefit!
The good thing is, you can always change your mind, if need be. none of our textbooks were up to date, and we never got past the 1960s, and that was because we asked our teachers to skip ahead, so we could learn about JFK, etc. I think as parents we have to continually teach our kids without teaching them, just as we taught them to brush their teeth, put on socks, and blow bubbles. Ask them what they think, study with them, and so on. As for the religious belief, our high school science teacher said ‘this is what I am supposed to teach you’.. basically what else there was is up to us to figure out. and that’s true, if by high school your parents haven’t showed you a religious path, erm, well, I think it WILL be up to the kid to decide by then.. see what I mean? We learned about honest Abe and how he tracked someone down to give them back a penny, in a winter storm, but all historical significance tells that to do so would have been foolish beyond belief, and that in a small community, there wasn’t much chance that the person wouldn’t be in the very next day, and that the person probably had an account there, at very least where a note would have been made in a ledger. Very odd, when you think about it, why DO they tell kids those type of stories in school?
Psst, Leif Ericsson. ((hugs)) I send my kids to public school. It isn’t perfect by any means but I feel it’s our job as parents to make sure that life is about continually learning. I’m a little too liberal for the Christian school environment (it seems a little too subjective to me) and I’d be bald from pulling my hair out if I tried to home school. LOL Good luck with your decision!!
I teach in public schools. There will always be gaps. You have to know what you want for your kids. And, let the schools do their thing, and then fill in anything extra…in my humble opinion.
I am having the same debate (with myself) and will bring it to my fiancee’s attention soon, about our son. I have no idea what we will decide when it is time to send him to school. Our son will be 3 in June as well. I have heard okay things about the public school in the town we live in. The Christian private schools that we have are probably a good 30 miles away…and I am not sure if homeschooling would be right for him or not yet.
I have actually gone through all three myself. I was in a public school from pre-k all the way until the end of my 8th grade year. I went to a private Christian academy for 9th, 10th grade. I was home schooled for 11th grade…which really did not work. My mom was working, so I basically was given books from the Christian school I had previously attended and just read through them on my own. My sister would come home from school and teach me what she learned in math class (she was two years ahead and I was one year ahead in math…that put us in the same math class). My mom created a few tests here and there…and at the end of the year the teachers sent home the same finals they gave the students for me to take…that way I could move on the 12th grade. I went back to the Christian academy for my last year of school. I missed some of the advantages that the public schools provided when I had moved to the Christian school…but after a year or so, I really came to love the environment. The teachers were able to work with us one on one or in small groups if needed. I went from 300-350 students in each grade from anywhere to 1-20 students in each grade. My graduating class was only 13. It made for closer relationships with teachers and students.
The decision will be a hard one for that I am sure. But, as a parent you reserve the right to change your mind if you don’t feel that your daughter is getting the right education. I know a lot of people who say that public school is the way to go. And the same for private schools and home schooling. It just depends on the quality of the schools (and teachers) in your area.
Good luck with making a decision…and please make sure you keep us up to date with what you decide!
i’ve been struggling with the same dilema and B’s only 2! i do have a good friend who homeschools her children. here’s her blog. I love reading it and talking to her about her experience. Her oldest daughter did go to christian school for a year in kindergarten or 1st grade but had to stop because it wasn’t in their budget to continue.
http://virtuousruby.blogspot.com/
I’ve come to the conclusion that I’d like to try homeschooling for a year or so and possibly send him to private school. I had a bad public school experience. I felt left behind, and not ready for the real world. I didn’t feel i was adiquitly prepared for college and i felt like my teacher didn’t really care about me.Part of it was my ouw fault, part of it was my parents for not taking an active role in my school, but part of it was the school’s fault too. I just want to make sure i’m involved in Brighton’s education where ever he is attending school. Mitchel and I decided to see where Brighton is developmentally, emotionally and intelectually (sp?…lol) and deceide where to send him to school. I do what to do a preschool program more for the social aspect of it. I’ve researched a few options already.
what ever you decide will be the best for lizzie and david. good luck in deciding what to do! I look forward to hearing about it
ps was this inspired by me asking you on thursday about lizzie going to preschool?
Hi! Love all your pictures and giveaways:) I did notice this particular post–you know I am homeschooling now. I am putting kids to bed right now, but just wanted to let you know, I LOVE homeschooling. Most of my kids went to public schools. Then, one of my kids had a particularly bad experience…well, experiences, over time–I then pulled him out of school and jumped into this homeschooling thing!
It was a messy and crazy way to do it, but he is doing so well now. I found so many resources that helped me–people, co-op groups, books and websites…Now, my husband and I have decided to also homeschool my 4 1/2 yr. old. This time, I know more! I have to say, I do adore my kids and I love spending time with them. Yesterday, we spent the day at Thomas Jefferson’s Home, Monticello. What fun to learn all about these things with your kids:) of course, my house is messy and I am always busy. It is a trade off.
Also, it does sound fun if your kids can be with cousins:) So, anyway, just my two cents. Pray about it! I’d love to chat more if you have questions! Heather
our son is going to be 3 in June and can actually start pre-school here in Georgia in August! I can’t believe he has grown up so quickly!! I am torn because I know he will love school, but I don’t know what I will do at home without both of my boys ( have a 5 mo old, too)! Where we live, out in the country/mountains, the pre-k-4th grades are actually decent, but, as my husband is a the juvie prosecutor here in town, I hear some awful things about the middle/high schools around here and what the kids get into since there’s nothing else to do. The closest private school is about 45 minutes away and he would have to go there unless I home schooled. I am like you, though… have no idea if I’d have the patience and if I would be a good teacher. Plus, I don’t want to deny my kids the opportunity to interact with other kids on a daily basis. it’s a tough call. you’ll know what to do when the time comes, though… at least, i hope we all do. 🙂
I will have to bite my tongue about public school as to not make anyone mad….so moving on…. I never thought I could homeschool either. It was something that I thought I would only do if my kids were being bullied in private school.
Well, after sending my son to Kindergarten and seeing his attitude change from good to HORRIBLE, it was an easy decision to make. It was sad to see what was allowed to go on at “Christian” school and I was paying for this?!
I have been homeschooling my children for 3 years now and although it is not without it’s struggles, I think for the most part it is going good. There is a HUGE support out there among homeschoolers and various programs that can help along the way. The best part about it though is that I know exactly what is being taught, I do not have to worry about my children being bullied or having to feel the pressure to grow up too quickly. They are learning character and what it means to be a family. My children do not care about rock music or having all the name brands. They can talk and not say “like” five times in one sentence.
Now as for what you should do… I suggest praying about it. I believe that God’s will is for parents to teach and train their children, but this is my conviction. You and Josh will have to decide what is best for your family. And as the woman commented above… you can always change your mind. Nothing has to be set in stone.
In the meantime, if you ever have questions about homeschool you know where to reach me. I am happy to help. 🙂
I don’t have as much to share as others (1st time Mommy to a 7week old lol) BUT I don’t think any of those choices are going to be foul proof which I’m sure you know. I think its our jobs as parents to know what they are learning and to help them along and to encourage learning outside of school as well. I think whatever you choose (eventually) will work out great because you’ll be there to lead and encourage them!