I’ve actually had people gasp when I tell them my son goes to public school. I say it proudly, cause I am proud of my son, and of the school we’re apart of, and then their reaction makes my eyes and feet shifty.
What once was the norm, seems to swiftly be becoming not, especially among circles I run in. Circles like Jesus followers, Moms with what-people-like-to call a lot of kids, Blogging moms, and so on and so forth.
I get it. There’s a huge part of me that wants to homeschool one day. Somedays I even want to homeschool during this crazy, in the thick of it, slice of motherhood where I’m navigating through diapers, potty training, and the joys of toddlerhood. I am every mom when it comes to schooling and I am taking it one day at a time. I’m never 1000% confident I made the right choice, mostly I think because I am smacked across the face with all the beautiful parts of homeschooling I see from women who I respect, in social media, and every day life. There are so many positives to it, really and truly. But, here I am to say, there are so many positives to sending my precious boy to public school.
I am a better mom with my kids in school, as opposed to me teaching them at home. Am I one hundred percent sure this is how it would go down? I can’t say, since I am not living it right now, but I can say I’m 99.9% certain. There are lots of things we would have to change, not only in my own life, but in the lives of my three other children, to make homeschooling work this year. Could I sacrifice all those things? Yes, for sure. But I don’t think it would be beneficial for our family right now.
I’ve read several articles lately about the homeschooling and I agree with lots and lots of the truth of the homeschooling journey that is shared. I hope that’s me one day. But it’s not me today, and that’s okay. And if it’s not me ever, that’s okay too.
I’m proud to send my boy to public school. Here’s why.
1) Teachers are awesome. They take 23 kids under their wing five days a week. They love them and direct them and encourage them. They’re patient and they’re proud of these kids. I choked back SO MANY TEARS at my son’s kindergarten graduation last year. It’s really amazing thing to see teachers pouring into our children, can I get an amen? I am so thankful my son is learning from other adults in his life, while learning to respect and obey them as well.
2) My son is not blankly starring back and forth at a chalkboard, and out the window, wishing he was frolicking in a field picking berries instead. He’s painting, he’s creating music, he’s running around the gym 5 times and then doing a 50 jumping jacks. He’s reading and he’s sounding out words that I can’t even believe. He’s adding, he’s subtracting, he’s building, he’s taking field trips. He’s learning so much.
3) My son is exposed to different cultures. He’s forming new friendships. He’s learning what it means to be a friend. Public school is making my son brave.
4) “We’d grown weary of a Christian culture that kept to itself and feared the lost. We wanted the heck out. We wanted out because God had called us out, and if He called two of us, He called all five of us. There was no minimum height requirement for his purpose.” – THIS. From my rockstar friend, Shannan, in one of my favorite posts of hers.
5) My son, and/or any of my children, are not mine to begin with. God’s plans for them do not change whether they are in public school, private school, or homeschooled. No matter what I fear for them, I am not in control (thank goodness).
Our public school isn’t upper middle class America. It’s lower income, it doesn’t have a 9 or 10 on greatschools, it’s flawed, of course, but I am thrilled to be a part of this school. So public school mamas, homeschool mamas, and private school mamas, whatever your choice may be: say it loud and say it proud! Keep on keepin’ on.
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YES. all of it! onward!
I loved this and I don't even have a "dog in the fight" any more. My kiddos are way past grown but I have two Grans, one in public and one in Christian school and my daughter and DIL are teachers in public schools. There is a place for all of it in today's society and it's up to each individual family to decide what is best for them and then as you said, "say it proud and say it loud." Blessings to you!
i LOVE number 5. i dont have kids but i believe that public schools need more christians. and i understand some kids can't handle it, but for the kids/families that can..let's be world changers in our schools!
ALMOST CRIED. Thanks for this ladyfriend. Lilly is in a low income public school too and I just have so so many doubts. Love you.
amen!! i think there is a place for everything. i am a public school teacher and send my two daughters to public school. i have taught in several different school districts in arizona and here in iowa. teachers everywhere are working hard to do what is best for each and every kid. the cultural experience of public school is pretty amazing too. my first grader came home one of her first days of school and said to me kind of randomly and nonchalantly "there is a blind boy in my class." she will learn so much from being in class from him that goes way beyond book learning.
So awesome. I'm reading a book right now called "Going Public" by David and Kelli Pritchard. Unless we feel differently in a couple years, ours will be going the public school in the area, also a lower income, but awesome diversity and great opportunities for community involvement. I would recommend that book if you haven't read it! Thanks for sharing!
this is so great! i know a lot of people are homeschooling, and it's totally ok too but also ok to send your kids to public schools! we need to be the light there too.
Great to read this. We have had something similar happen to us because of the school district we are in, and our daughter starting kinder this year. I can feel the cringe when I tell them which school she's attending now. It doesn't have great ratings, but her teacher has been there for 30 years, and you can tell she absolutely loves what she does. Plus, our daughter LOVES it! I love your thoughts, and so glad I ran across this post! Thank you <3
Thanks so much for this as I have really been struggling. It seems like everyone around me is always debating this and making public school sound so bad, which is where my kids go. I really needed this encouragement today that I am not a horrible mom for sending them to school.
I wrote almost an identical posts 2 weeks ago! My son too is going to public school and this is his third day, so far it has been going great.
I love this so much. I am a bit of a conundrum when it comes to schooling. I'm a blogging Momma to twin boys, who home schools one of them and sends the other to public school. Because I'm trying to do what is best for each of my boys, and our family as a whole. It's a wild ride, but it's something I have prayed about and I know it's the right choice for our family.
I'm sorry people have gasped at you. We all do what is best for our own families and no matter what I believe that God will cover the negative in any situation, you know.
Love your heart, friend.
YES!!! Leila is at a public school, and Coco is at a private, Christian preschool, but will be in the same public school as Leila next year. I've gotten so many gasps, and the judgy "Well, if that's what's right for your family…." chats with preschool moms when they hear about our choice of schools beyond preschool. The public school system is flawed, yes, but I think that can be said for any type of schooling. Leila has learned so much, and made so many friends, and we've also become friends with some really awesome families that we probably wouldn't have otherwise. I adore the teachers, the staff and the students at Leila's school. We are blessed, and we LOVE our public school!
i was homeschooled through 9th grade and then went to public school. both were great for different reasons. both had issues for different reasons. you do you, mama. i cannot for the life of me understand why people care where other people send their kids to school.
We homeschool. And I love this post! I'm so thankful for the choices and freedoms we have within the education system in this country. The only right choice is to educate…everything else becomes a decision based on a very personal situation. I love what you have written on the matter! Stay strong…and learn on! 😉
Well put, Danielle. Homeschooling one of my kids with the other in public school (and the two littles bound for public also), I get so many different responses from people…but I hope my situation, as well as any other moms who say it loud and proud, will show that you do what is best for your children no matter what circles you run in or what is prevalent in your community. Our public schools are really great here outside of Austin, but there's always that homeschooling voice in the back of my head thinking I could maybe do it with all of them….and you know, what's so nice is that we can always reassess each year and make sure our kids are still in the right place where their education is concerned, and make changes if necessary. 🙂 Thanks for sharing girl!
Thank you! Your reasons are great and many of us can relate to them. We all love our children and we're all doing the best we can.
Well said! As a teacher, it really makes me just so happy to see that you son has/had great teachers. And that you're all for doing what's best for YOU and for YOUR kids. I'm with you in that there's no right or wrong answer. It's all about what's best for each family, each mom, each kid.
p.s. I am realllly loving your blog posts lately. Just saying. 🙂
Excellent post. I would just like to add one thing. Regardless of the schooling choice each family makes, we ALL have a social responsibility to support our local public schools. Here's some ways to do just that! http://gopublicproject.org/call-to-action/
i needed so much to have some encouragement on this. thank you!
If it makes you feel any better, I homeschool, and I constantly doubt my decision. Not because I don't know if this is what God wants us to do (I am certain that this is His calling for us right now), but because I doubt if I'm doing what's best for my kids. And I think I'd feel the same way whether they attended public or private school, too! I am realizing that as a mother, I tend to doubt myself only because I love my kids so much and want the best for them, and want to be sure that I'm providing the best for them. And if I'm praying and seeking God's direction and am doing what I know He's called me to do for our family…then I am trusting that that IS the best for them, right now. That is all any mama can do, and the answer will be different for every family and every child!! (and may change from year to year)
Brava. I'm so saturated with the home-schooling cult, and the guilt trip it puts on the rest of the world. Both are valid. Public school moms should not be made to feel as if they're turning a blind (and lazy?) eye to their kids' wellbeing. Nicely said.
So, I gasped when I saw this in my reader – in a good way, the best way possible. Girl, AMEN. To all of it. I hope God has it in his plans for my kids to be Title I public schooled forever. I am amazed at what it's doing to our hearts. And yes, it makes our kiddos brave…and us!
Also, seeing my post linked shocked my socks off. Thank you. 🙂 I don't think I knew you were public schooling until I read this. Good grief, I wish I could sit and talk to you for hours…
Love you, lady!
LOVE
HERE HERE! I'm not sure when the homeschool snobbery in this world began but I am proud of my public school son. I was a product of the public school and I wouldn't have changed it for anything. I feel like I already tell my son to do this and to do that just to get him ready for school and get him trained to be an honest human being. I can't take on telling him to do this and that in every subject. It's too much. I feel like I would never be able to turn it off. I like that my son goes to a building where the lessons are being taught and then he comes home to me for continuation of it and building of good character and love. I like the separation.
love your perspective!
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Great post, i have homeschooled on and off since 1999. I just sent my two youngest girls 8 and 5 to public school in Jan and am only homeschooling my 11 yr old autistic son now! I sometimes question if i am doing the right thing but my girls have some great teachers and are thriving and i now have more one on one time with my son and time to drive him to all his therapies! I think every mom has to make decisions as to whats best for their family! Also sometimes whats best for each child!
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