New Jersey Moms Blog

When they are just finding their way: protecting our children when they need it most

Thanks to a piece of bread, I avoided an argument with a mother last week.

When I attended my churches' Mother's Day banquet, I sat next to the mother of three young boys. Our talk turned to the topic of school. I asked about her eldest as I dug into my salad.

"He's having a tough year," she said of her eight year old. "The other boys pick on him and he doesn't want to go. Sometimes he gets really angry at us." I could hear the pain in her voice.

"Why don't you home school him?"

"Oh, no. I couldn't deal with him and my husband thinks he needs to be in school, so he can learn how
to cope."

At that point, I concentrated on spreading the half-frozen butter on my roll so I could stuff it into

 

We are in this together: home schooling mom seeks solitude

Home schooling is tough, but not for the reason you might think.

The academics are easy enough. My eldest is only nine, so we haven't reached calculus, physics or chemistry yet. We do a little division and multiplication. A helping of grammar. Play in the creek after lunch.  Read good books. We belong to two home schooling support groups and attend several activities during the week. So what's the problem?

RECAP - Education: Public, Private or Home Schools?

Is there anything more important to a child's future than education?  Aside from the basics, like food, shelter, clothing, and parental involvement, not really.  How our children will be educated is one of the most important decisions we will make as parents.  It isn't a decision that should be abdicated entirely to a public, or private, school system.

I had a charmed childhood.  I thrived in public schools, had great experiences (for the most part) and loved school.  My little brother wasn't so lucky.

B didn't fit the teacher's pet mold.  Although very bright, he was slow to learn to read and a bit immature for his age.  This is pretty typical for boys, and even for some girls, when starting elementary school.  Unfortunately, my brother encountered a teacher who shouldn't have been teaching anymore.  One who ridiculed him, humiliated and punished him in front of the other children, and basically told him (and my parents) that he just wasn't good enough. At the critical age of 6.  That's right.  He was 6 years old. 

When B misbehaved as a result, my parents were told that he needed drugs for ADHD.  Of course, he'd never actually been seen by a qualified psychiatrist or psychologist.  But the school and the administration claimed they knew what was best for B.  Better than his parents.

Is there anything worse that can happen to a child just starting out in school?

Because education is such an important issue, the moms on the Silicon Valley, Chicago, D.C. Metro, New York, 50 Something, and New Jersey Mom Blogs are all blogging about education today.  Even though our sites have tackled education generally before, today we'll be discussing public, private, and home schools. So please stop by each of our sites for posts throughout the day to read all of our individual views on this important issue.

Silicon Valley Moms Blog

From a Teacher's Perspective

Are school buses a thing of the past?

School Uniforms

Considering a parent participation/co-op school

Schedule vs. Fit

How Do You Choose?

I Am A Bi-Schooler

The Beginning of the End of the California Public School System

The Gift of Education - A Child by Child Choice

A Teacher Fretting About School

The Private School Snob Celebrates Public Education

Our School Decision Has Nothing To Do With You

Prop 13 and Silicon Valley

Chicago

The Power of Early Intervention: My Son Didn't Talk

Special Ed to Mainstream School: Making the Leap

An Inclusion Preschool Experience

It's Just So Public

Too Smart For Public School

Lockdown in a Mountgomery County Public School

Einy Meeny Mini Mo

DC Metro Moms Blog

Education: What Makes A Summer

Why Our Kids Are Public School Kids

From This Student: What Makes A Great Teacher?

Heroes

Why So Much Testing and So Little Love of Learning

Why Mama is a graduate student

New York City Moms Blog

Yes to Year-Round Schools

Confessions from a Teacher

Working for Great Public Schools

Diversity Trumps Test Scores

The Few, the Fortunate and the Secret of one (Not Really) Public New York School

Going Public

Admissions of an Admissions Survivor

Public School and the Public Interest

Because School are important - PS 234 Overscrowding

New Jersey Moms Blog

Opposite Side of the Table: From Teacher to Mom

On public education: An opinion that gifted students deserve more support

50 Something Moms Blog

Public or Private School: Both Can Be Stressful

Which School -- College Edition

Click Here to continue reading Stephanie's (aka. Lawyer Mama's) post on DC Metro Moms Blog.........

Opposite Side of the Table - From Teacher to Mom

I used to teach school in another life.  Yes, some 20 years ago, I taught elementary school.  Somehow amazingly as a teacher I had the patience of a saint back then.  I was the beloved teacher who was made learning fun. 

Now I have realized that the hardest students you will ever have are your own kids.  I totally respect people who can homeschool their kids. I know that I could never do that even though I have the "training".  My four year old and two year old know every button to push and will "perform" for the teachers feats of amazement that I can never get them to do as I'm pulling them off the walls.