My youngest daughter is starting kindergarten in a government school today. Against my wishes. But I have been outvoted.
She wants to go, because she loves being around other kids. And because she thinks "recess" is "school".
Her mom wants her to go because- well, I am not sure why but I have several unflattering theories.
My parents want her to go because they are "patriotic" statists who think government schools are great and necessary for education. And, I suspect, because they want to see her get "the other side" of the story- the pro-USA side- away from my influence. And probably because here the government school also pushes a religious agenda which they would like to see her exposed to. That, along with any exposure to the National Socialist "Pledge of Allegiance" or DARE will undoubtedly make for some interesting interactions for me. Interactions I do not look forward to.
I am not a tyrant, and believe my daughter should be allowed to choose for herself, but I also know that with her natural inclination, and the cheerleading for school coming at her from every person other than me, I lost the battle before it even began.
I had assumed from the beginning that I would be homeschooling/unschooling her. Now I feel I have failed her, even though she doesn't know it yet. I also feel lost and useless since I have been caring for her every hour of every day since she was born- five years ago tomorrow.
So I am in a really bad mood, which is not my normal condition.
.
Kent,
ReplyDeleteI'm very sorry for you.
Remember, though, school's impact is massively impacted by the parents.
Have to second that. Deprograming on a daily basis is the answer. Same as home schooling. Read the lesons and correct the errors.
ReplyDeleteKent,
ReplyDeleteFeel your pain. Been there.
FWIW, the "public" schools are their own worst enemies in terms of indoctrination/propagandization of children. If there's a parent at home who's willing to spend even a little time asking the kid QUESTIONS about the certainties the kid gets sent home with, it doesn't take long for the kid to understand that (s)he's being scammed at school -- after which the kid may ask to be homeschooled, or at the very least goes to "public" school each day prepared to critically examine what's being taught instead of just swallowing it.
I am in the same situation. All I can do provide the counterpoints to the State's propaganda on a daily basis. I also look for opportunities to point out the contradictions in the baloney my kids are fed on a daily basis.
ReplyDeleteMy aim is to help them develop critical thinking skills so that they question everything they are told.
Kent~ My Dear Hubby and I have 7 children, all homeschooled or private-schooled in one way or another. All 7 "wanted" to go to school and thought we were exaggerating when we described why we didn't want them to go. Some we put in school during "elementary" school and pretty much lived at the school with, and it didn't take long for them to be bullied, to have the bully allowed out to play while they had to stay in "for their safety" and other B.S. and then they saw. Others we didn't let go to "elementary" school and being adults we overrode their childish desires and said "No!" Well the final year of high school we let them go and sure enough...they realized we were right all along. Not only did they learn NOTHING, it was all about who wore what, who could parrot back the best, and who "obeyed" even when the teacher was proven wrong!
ReplyDeleteI will encourage you on one count--just because your daughter goes to public kindergarten, that is not her entire "education" process. Sitting and listening to someone lecture her will teach her little or nothing and she will still very much need to be taught by her dad. You can use some of this as an opportunity to systematically "do math" but the best education you can give her is to be at that school every minute you can and spend every minute you can with her, talking with her, and playing with her. Also, start looking now for homeschool groups in the district, for homeschool curricula, and possibly for private or online options that could work together with what you want to teach her. As I mentioned, we had 7 children and all 7 were taught in different ways. Do some homework now, while she is in kindergarten so that next year, you are "armed" with answers and proofs, and you have done your studying about homeschooling in your area.
Kent, We're doing online schooling with our child this year. My other half finally got tired of me bitching about the sheer stupidity being jammed the poor child's throat. Wear 'em down like Pepe' La Pew until you get your way. Public toilets and public schools are both nasty, so keep her out of both. After about the tenth time your kid brings home some nasty cold remind your wife how great public school is. Good Luck!!
ReplyDeleteOne advantage is that the first couple of years, she will get to socialize and they don't start the true indoctrination. They save that for after teaching them to read and write.
ReplyDeleteBe watchful of her lessons and stay on top of any mistakes they are trying to teach. You might also want to become proactive with the school board.
It's OK to send your children to a State school, provided you also teach them to think correctly.
ReplyDeleteHowever, homeschooling is better, if you can manage it.
And that's what bothers me so badly: I can manage it. But not without being a tyrant to my daughter and a jerk to family members and other involved individuals.
ReplyDeleteIf you couldn't convince your other relatives to go along with it, then you couldn't manage it.
ReplyDelete