Before I had kids I used to hear some of the women I worked with talk about homeschooling their kids and I thought to myself, that I would never homeschool. Well this year has totally changed my mind about the public school system and I am actually looking into different programs that might work for our family. This is a very scary decision for me because I am not the most patient person and have never seen myself as teaching material but I want to do the best possible things that I can for my children.
It all started at the beginning of the school year when I noticed an older teacher grab my son by the arm and yank it. The first day I said to myself that I was being an over protective mother and over reacting. Well the next day she did it again, right in front of me and I quickly pulled my car over and talked to the princable who basically said that I was over reacting. I was really upset and made me almost afraid to send my son to school. If they would yank his arm right in front of me, what do they do when I am not around? If someone touches your child and you don’t like it, it’s not OK.
Since then I have been watching this school like a Hawk! I remember school and I know how teachers can be especially when they have a room full of 6 and 7 year old’s. Yesterday when I picked Jeremy up he was waiting for me with his shoes in his hands and I knew something was wrong. As soon as he got into the car he started to cry to where I had to pull the car over and see what was wrong. He told me that two kids were bullying him in the gym while he was waiting for me and they took his shoes off. When the teacher (we have had problems with him before) saw Jeremy didn’t have his shoes on he lost it and started screaming at Jeremy, who tried to explain what had happened. This teacher did not want to hear it and scolded Jeremy. When he told me what happened I was pretty upset that they didn’t even let him explain what happened. I went in to talk to the teacher and he was a complete jerk and wouldn’t even make eye contact with me during the conversation he just glared at Jeremy. I could tell Jeremy was scarred of this teacher and his lip would quiver when this guy would ask Jeremy a question. I felt horrible after I talked to this teacher and feel like I made the situation worst for my son. Will he be even more cruel to Jeremy now that I confronted him?
I really like Jeremy’s first grade teacher and so does he, so it’s not like the whole school is bad just a few. I try to stay involved as possible but I almost feel like they don’t like the parents that are always at school functions. This school is also really big on holding kids back who act “immature”. I have never had issues with Jeremy but apparently they are recommending he repeat first grade due to him being so much younger than the rest of the class. They feel like when he gets to high school it will affect him to be the last to get a drivers license and turn 18! Yes you heard me right, these are the reasons they gave why it’s a good idea to hold him back, Never mind that Jeremy has tested above a 3 grade level on his reading and math.
So this is where I am at, should I pull him out next year and try 2nd grade at home or look for another school. I just don’t want to make the wrong decision. Right now I think it would be an exciting journey to see how Jeremy can blossom with someone being able to focus so much on him, but I worry about him being away from the kids at school. This may be one of the hardest decisions I have ever made. I would love to get your advice on homeschooling and what your experiences are, good and bad? Thanks so much for letting me rant and rave, this was just something I really needed to get off of my chest.