Perspective.
I remember when Rosie was two, I started feeling the internal pressure for pre-school. We have so much pressure to school. Shortly after that, I started getting the questions. "Is 'Rosie' starting school in the fall?" (as she was about to turn 3). Since that time the pressure to school has not just been internal. In books I had begun to read, it seemed there was more information about dangers of schooling too early.
This past school year Rosie was JUST eligible for our parish pre-school. In discerning what to do, specifically if we wanted her to be oldest in the class or youngest, a very wise teacher friend said "always give your child the gift of time." She also asked "would you rather your daughter be driving her friends around or riding in the back of their car?" That was an easy answer. In quick interview with others, it seemed that being older in the class was usually preferred/easier.
Perspective.
Before, I was dealing with pressure to school. Now, perspective allows me to see that giving her an extra year allows us to have her in our home an extra year. Rather than rushing our 17 year old off to college, we will have almost a full year with our 18 year old. I am obviously not parenting a teenager right now. But, reason tells me in parenthood, every moment counts.
This year we have been working on "handwriting without tears". It has been a very loose pre-school program, but we so enjoy our time together. That said, I am still struggling heavily with the idea of being solely responsible for her education. Mainly related to the responsibility of having all children in my charge at all times...this in itself is a big lifestyle change, it is not so easy just to run to the store. Also, teaching requires quite a bit of patience...and so far we are only sitting down for an hour a couple of times a week. For Christmas, I received another wishlist book, Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons. I am looking forward to starting that this year.
I am not sure yet if we will enroll in pre school in the fall or continue to school at home. We love the precious moments with our beautiful children. We love teaching our values and faith, seeing our two year old sing Alleluia or bow his head to pray and say Amen. We love seeing Rosie grow into a God-loving little girl. Those moments of witnessing the fruits of our parenting are priceless.
For 2012, "God, please continue to shower me with BUCKETS of grace necessary to be a good mom. A loving mom. An encouraging mom. A mom who teaches by her actions. Help ME be a better ME. For this I pray. Amen."
5 comments:
What a great post. At the playgrounds that was all the talk. "Is your son going to preschool?" We kept him home until four (which was unusual) and because he is a Jan baby, he is the oldest in the class. Now the pressure is whether to homeschool or not. Almost all my friends homeschool. But I worry that doing that day in day out without any down time could cause me to erupt. Plus, my son is an only child which means I am also entertainment. So I have a lot to consider. My biggest worry is that you spend all this time protecting your kids from certain influences and then you just throw in the towel when they go to school. I won't know who is friends are what they say what they are exposed to etc. That's the part that bothers me the most about sending him to school. Having said that there are tons of children I taught that remained very virtuous etc even in school. The family is the biggest influence.
Cecilia (4 1/2)and Felicity (2 1/2) go to school on M,W, and F. That way I only have Little Lucy (13 months)at home. This has been a huge relief so that I can get work done for my job, and work done around the house. I find I am a better person when I get a break now and then. :)
Jacquelyn Smith
Tough decisions. I am right there with you, I have some very good friends that homeschool and other that send their children to Catholic school. I'm sure the Lord will lead you in His direction.
Just relax! We did just order "curriculuum" (which I can't even spell...) for our eldest and have officially decided the homeschool route but reading and praying and thinking tell us that, really, even if he was going to school, no way is he going so little!! Canadian law is schooling for kids by age 6 but pressure is for 4-y-olds in kindergarten...way too little! Read John Holt's "Teach Your Own" and how other classics to get you started...I'd be mostly unschooling except for the voice of reason (my husband). :) Whatever you do, have peace. And try to ignore the pressure! :)
To clarify: "schooling" by law can mean homeschooling and we definately live in the best place for that as there are ZERO restrictions! YEAH!
Post a Comment