It feels a big birthday going from four to five, the start of school age. Though I guess he's going to be home schooled at first. Earlier we had decided he was going to school, but my wife has changed her mind. Since we're in conflict about our daughter over this issue I don't want to press the subject. Besides she has a good point that he is way beyond kindergarten stuff.
It looks like our daughter is going to school this fall. There has been an enormous amount of stress for my wife and daughter as the role of teacher and parent gets confused.
My wife doesn't want her to go to school because she feels that the work will be too easy and that she'll get exposed to drugs, bad language, and sex. She is even concerned about things like anti-drug programs even introducing the subject.
I hate to say it, but while I think our daughter is above average academically I don't think she is quite as exceptional as my wife thinks. Also, I've noticed when I've helped her revise school material that in subjects she likes she does great, in less interesting subjects she doesn't do very good. I think this isn't a matter of intelligence, I think it is a lack of study discipline.
I'm also concerned that she's almost eight and doesn't have any friends. She has some relatives her age, but she doesn't get much chance to play with them (also, I'm always arranging the play time and never my relatives so I feel a bit intrusive). She's friends with the neighbor girl, but the neighbor girl is four years older and has friends and activities that leave very little time as well, maybe eight days during the summer. I don't want her whole childhood spent inside the house. Plus, I'm worried about her being over sheltered and then going off to college.
My wife points out that her brother started drinking while at school and experimenting with some drugs which led indirectly to a brain injury that has been a tremendous burden on him and the family. She also likes to point out stories in the news about bad things that happen in schools. Meanwhile I point out that these are single incidents out of millions of kids.
That post was a lot longer than I intended it to be. It's just a tough issue right now.
Happy birthday, Leif!!
Today's a pretty good day, all in all--it's payday, there's a mini-F2F at the Buffy Singalong tonight, the weather's gorgeous, and my boss is on PTO.
Happy Birthday, Leif!
she feels that the work will be too easy
Legitimate concern if she's doing work well beyond grade level.
She is even concerned about things like anti-drug programs even introducing the subject.
Mark Twain answered that one far better than I ever could in "The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg."
Ugh, that is a tough issue, Gud.
I'm also concerned that she's almost eight and doesn't have any friends.
Yeah, that seems like an important concern. Doesn't she have any church friends? When I was little, I had school friends and church friends, so not having either seems sad to me.
juliana, is your manicure black with red tips, or red with black tips?
Black with red tips, and I am OBSESSIVE about patching. I did it myself, using the Sally Hansen nail guides.
she feels that the work will be too easy
Gud, is there a Gifted & Talented program in your district?
Legitimate concern if she's doing work well beyond grade level.
Yep, that's part of what makes it tough. OTOH, her lead over her grade level has been shrinking.
Gud, is there a Gifted & Talented program in your district?
Yep. She did the testing and didn't qualify. She did do well and as above average in all areas, but above average isn't enough.
Gud, can I ask where you live? Some states are starting to have e-charter schools. (I work for one here in OH.) Doesn't exactly help with the socialization, but it allows for someone else to fulfill the role of teacher.
I think homeschooling is really really hard. I say that as someone who was homeschooled, for one year only. Because it was so hard on my mother and me and our relationship. My parents actually got divorced the following year, and while I don't think it was homeschooling's fault, the stress certainly didn't help.
I think it's good for kids to go to school with other kids. Nowadays even home-schooled kids have a lot of group activities (with other homeschooled kids), at least in this area. I think it's good for kids to be educated about drugs, too. It sounds like Mrs. Gud has some irrational fears about public school and her kids; maybe something that could be addressed if she's still in therapy?
