thoughts on school

Usually, I am the one getting ready to go back to school during this time of the year.  I can't tell you how thrilled I am that I graduated from graduate school last spring, allowing me to focus on my big boy, Tobin, who is begining kidergarten this September!  I'm not exactly sure who is more excited, me or him?

You see, I have always kept Tobin at home with me.  The fall after Sophia was born, we decided that he would benefit from the social interaction {without me} that a private pre school provided.  He took to it like a fish to water!  He will always be the oldest in his class {because of when his birthday falls} and I felt that he was ready for being a part of a school.  Now, it seems that there is a trend {or a choice is being made} among many of the mama's who read similar bloggs that I do, that homeschooling, or unschooling is the thing to do.  I must admit that I toyed with the idea for half a second...  Then one day, I asked Tobin, "honey, how would you like to stay home with me to learn, instead of going to school?"  to which he replied, "but mama, I want to learn at school with all of my friends!" 

I must say that I am very fortunate to have a school that I am very happy with, becasue of where we live and the members of the community who live here.  Perhaps if the circumstances were different, I would feel differently and make different choices.  For now, I feel that traditional school is the way to go for us.  For one, as my big boy gets older {ahem, BOLDER}, I think it will be good to have a 3rd party {i.e. teacher, not mama} to reinforce what I am saying at home.  Second, I feel that it will do him good to learn to be a part of a class, community, team...basically, what will be expected of him as he grows older and participates in society.  Third, I think that we all do well when we have a little time to ourselves to do different things.  It seems that we are better as a family when we have a little space and then can reunite and discuss our day over dinner or during family time.  Last, I really respect and get the whole unschooling concept, but I think that past a certain age, I would begin to worry if my children were being challenged appropriately?  Let's face it, we are not woodworking and doing advanced arithmatic every day, or even every week!  I like to think that there is some unschooling happening in the hours after school has ended, when he comes home to me and we are free to bake and craft, or just go to the park if that is what we choose.

I know the road ahead will be a bumpy one at times, but I believe that would be the case regardless of what type of education one chooses for their child.  In the end, what is most important is that these little ones know that they are loved more than anything and that they will always have the support to deal with whatever challenges come thier way, whether it is now, as a teenager or as an adult.  I want to say "right on!" to all the mamas who home/unschool, you guys rock and do a great job.  However, I also want to give a huge high five to all the mamas who choose traditional schooling for their little ones.  I feel that in additon to all of the love, patience, etc. that you read about as being ingredients in "recipies for unschooling", we are also adding a tremendous amount of selflessness and faith.  Selflessness, in that we are giving up our sense control of the elements {to some extent}, but that we have faith that we will be able to handle a variety of challenges as they come our way. 

Whether it is unschooling or traditional school, I believe that some of the most important lessons we can model for our children is a desire to share and a willingness to learn from others.  As much as part of me would love to keep my "baby" home with me forever, I know that Tobin is going to love his new school and will do wonderfully there.  I suppose this is the bittersweetness of being a mama; the internal conflict between the joy you feel for the exciting adventures ahead and the sadness that accompanies change and letting go.  I am so happy to have a forum of like minded souls to share some of our experiences with!  The countdown to September 9th is on...     

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Comments

[Emmalina]

Thanks for posting this, it really resonates for me. I've really tied myself up in knots with the idea of homeschooling but realise it isn't for us or for me. I want a career of my own and am a much better mum when I am fulfilled and doing something that gets my intellectual muscles working. I get where you are coming from, it seems almost as if regular school is seen as this horrid zoo of iniquity! A light went off for me one day when I realised, as a child I loved school!

I really feel Huwyl benefits from having other adults in his life, people who want to spend time making toilet roll rockets and explaining why we don't run full tilt inside. Again.

My little guy starts on the 10th! Fingers crossed for them and for us x

[http://mysweetbabu.typepad.com]

I agree with you and am sure that both of our guys will just love school when they start in another couple of weeks! Not that I am a huge Hillary Clinton person, but I agree with the title of her book, that it does take a village to raise children...we are not meant to do everything on our own...haivng help makes us all a little better.
: )
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