Archives > Opinion > Star Staff
Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
RSS
Share
What Type of Schooling Is Best (For Your Child)?
By Leslie Wilson
I've never understood why women can't get along better with one another. It's not like we're in competition with each other. After all:
* We can't run out of compliments. (So everyone can receive one . . . or more.)
* Our kids can all be good at something. (Even if it's only one thing.)
So, I have difficulty wrapping my mind around some of the typical mommy battles:
* Breast vs. bottle
* Stay-at-home vs. working mom
* Public, private or home schooling
Today, we'll look at the third topic of disagreement -- what type of school is best? Public? Private? Homeschool?
Let me begin by saying that I have 21 years mothering experience, plus nine months of prep time for Child No. 1. That gives me well over two decades to develop parenting knowledge and skills. I'd say I'm pretty familiar with the basics -- one of those being school. I even taught school -- two years as a public school English teacher and basketball coach, one year as a home school writing and speech teacher and one year as a church preschool teacher. Plus, at one point in time during my kids' growing up time, we've experienced all three methods of schooling:
* My oldest son attended public school from kindergarten-12th grade. He'll graduate from a private university in December.
* My daughter (and middle child) attended two different private, Christian schools -- one for a K-4 class and another for kindergarten. She's been in public school since and will be a senior this year.
* My youngest son attended a private kindergarten, public school for the rest of the time -- except for part of his fifth grade year when I homeschooled him. As a cast member on Barney & Friends, his schedule was too erratic and he missed too much school to stay enrolled in public school. He had a tutor on set, and I supplemented his learning at home. It was actually a glorious time -- and quite fun and relaxing for me.
I'd say that having experienced all three schooling methods gives me a broad perspective when it comes to commenting on different schooling methods.
So (deep breath), here we go. Here are my thoughts on public vs. private vs. homeschooling:
1. I think they're all valid.
2. All types of schooling serve a valuable purpose.
3. Parents should carefully weigh all of their options before making a decision about what's best for their child(ren).
4. A family's choice should be made upon the agreement of the couple (both mom and dad) -- not a unilateral decision.
5. What works for one child may not work for another, so parents should assess each child's strengths, needs and interests before deciding. (Kids don't all have to go to the same school.)
6. In some cases, parents should revisit their decision on an annual basis. They might choose to move a child from one setting to another depending on current circumstances.
7. But, most important of all, because it's an individual decision, we need to respect what other families choose and not impose our own desires, biases or beliefs on our family, co-workers and friends.
Whew! Glad I got that out! Now, please retreat to your corners, and let's all try to get along.
Leslie co-authored A Scrapbook of Motherhood Firsts, which released in April 2012. To thrive it up, visit her website and blog at www.lesliewilson.com.
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
You must register with a valid email to post comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Registered users sign in here:
Become a Registered User
- Return to: Star Staff «
- Home «
- Top of Page ^
