May. 29, 2008 - Grandma on the attack
I think I have posted before that my mother hates homeschooling. Ever since I simply left my job (as a public school teacher) and started staying home with my eldest son did she get nervous because I didn't put him in preschool and said the homeschooling word. I agreed to let her pay for him to go two days a week to preschool (for two years). That wasn't so bad except they got all the kids excited for school so the first few months of kindergarten he kept asking about school.
Then she agreed he could go part time to a democratic "unschooling" type of school. That worked fine till she learned more about unschooling and was terrified that some kids (in general) don't master reading until they are , gasp, twelve. Somehow all 7 year olds must be fluent readers or we are all doomed somehow. Are they signing leases and bank documents that I am unaware of?
Anyways, last time she was in town (she's seasonal with a winter home) she said she was cutting me off - never talking to me unless I put him in the public school that week. It was horrible. I felt abandonned, manipulated, and like that wasn't possible under those circumstances (I hope never to put him in public school but if my husband and I decide to do that it's on our terms, not hers). Well after not talking for a few weeks we talked with a therapist and agreed to disagree.
Now she's back in town and the new tactic is - she'll pay for him to go to a secular private school. Actually a few years ago I would have said yes but now I know too much about homeschooling and was amazed that they do better than in private school on academics and how it makes the family strong and well I love most everything I hear (that's why I make the videos and still try to present all sides for others deciding like I did). One negative I can say - parenting pressure.
Anyways, to be a good sport I agreed to take my son to see the school before it got out for the summer. Big mistake. He liked what he saw, of course. Nice playground, that wonderful bus that all kids want to ride, and pretty art work. Who wouldn't like that? So he's back to thinking/wanting to go to a traditional school.
When I told her I still don't want him to go to that school or any school full time, she said she'd have to do some serious thinking. So I have no idea what that means? I"m trying not to worry, just give it all to God but I'm afraid it'll be some other not talking to you or worse, financially squeezing us since we owe some money. I can deal with responsibility and paying back our loans but I just hate it for manipulative reasons.
Any advice? prayers welcome.
Thanks!
Comments
Sep. 13, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Nurs4jc
Carol,
I found your blog and have been enjoying all your posts! I feel like I could write back to everything you've written but I'll tackle the Grandma one :o) Yes, I'm sure he liked the cool playground and pretty artwork at the privite school. But is still pulls apart the family ties and would put him under the authority of adults who do not know and love him as you do. It sounds like your mom is on the warpath. In all my "know-it-all-ness" I would say have your husband do some reading and focus more on getting him on board with the vision. Like you know, you've got to be in agreement with him and your doing a good job (like I would do in your situation) to be the "Mama Lion." I would say pick some of your top homeschooling books and make them required reading for him :O) Like HSLDA's book "Homeschooling the RIGHT choice," how can someone read that and not want to homeschool!!!
Hope to get together soon!
Jamerrill
