Today is the first day of school for most of the public schools here in Houston.  Some private schools open tomorrow, while my 10th graders private Catholic high school started last week.  Being homeschoolers with my two youngest started the first week of August with some gentle easing into the curriculum.  As of this week, he's been on a full course load except for Latin (we were waiting for some curriculum) and piano (still need a keyboard stand and 2 music stands.....God will provide-He always does!).  We are generally through with everything by lunch time with no big rush.  Last night we had to stop at the grocery store (super wally world) for some groceries.  It was a complete zoo.....frantic parents and crying kids-looking for food for lunches (ALL the lunchables were gone-as were all the prepackaged sugar treats....and I was looking for some yummy oatmeal pies!), last minute school supplies and uniforms.  Scary-the entire store was a chorus of crying children and fussing parents.

Today, my dear husband had to go to Chicago for a work related seminar.  He got up early and took the 15 year old to school while I got the other two up and moving.  After he came home, he treated us to a big breakfast at Denny's....Cameron asked about all the lonely kids standing by the side of the road-most looked sad or unhappy.  We told him this is the first day of school for the public school kids.  He really noticed how unhappy they looked and that most of them were there on the street corners by themselves.  Along the way we passed some middle school kids even trying to get in that last puff on the cigarette (while holding up pants that were falling off)-again kids walking alone down busy main roads to school.  Xavier and I looked at each other and wordlessly agreed that homeschooling was indeed best for our little ones.....blessedly Cameron missed the half-dressed smokers walking to school! 

At Denny's, we were immediately-and by that I mean the door hadn't fully closed-questioned by the waitress..."Didn't school start today?  I didn't think I would get any kids in here till much later today."  We quickly pointed out that we homeschool and for us breakfast  as a family was the priority this morning.  Thankfully, Cameron behaved while the energizer bunny 2 on steroids acted just like the 2 year old he is.  After a nice breakfast, we got home where hubby finished packing and we got started with schoolwork.  It's about 11am and we have math, science and history left to do-easy stuff.  We took a small break (hence me typing away here...) and when I pulled up the local news site there was of course a story of Back To School time-complete with pictures.....again of crying children.  I had tears in my eyes as I thought to myself-why are these kids crying?  Why, when it is obvious that they are afraid, do we parents feel it is ok to subject them to this?  Kids as young as 3 and 4 being drug or carried to  "pre-k" (public school daycare).  Isn't education/learning supposed to be fun?  Isn't it supposed to be a healthy and safe and encouraging environment?  I see a big difference in the way these precious children see school and how my own kids see school (and yes-Cameron does whine and complain-he's 8...hello?)-there isn't any trauma!  I remember Cameron's year of kindergarten and first grade-both years the teachers in the car rider line had to physically remove him-crying and terrorized-from my car!  He loved school but the trauma of being away from me for 8 long hours a day greatly outweighed any love of learning!  Why is this considered acceptable?  It broke my heart and I made the changes that God was calling me to. 

And then you have the teachers-everyday people like you and me.  At the beginning of the school year they are required to learn the names of up to 26 new little crying, squirming, precious kids......(I can barely remember the names of my 5 and only 2 of them are at home with me during the day).  They have to work with who knows how many different learning styles, home situations, medical situations and temperaments (I'm still fumbling with my 5.....more than that is beyond my comprehension right now).  Lesson plans, team meetings, parent conferences, certifications, etc.....blows my mind as to how they actually "educate" anyone although I know there are some heroic ones out there-blessedly Cameron had a few of them, while my high school kids did not fare as well.....

So we homeschool/private school.  We haven't looked back and we eagerly look forward to each day of learning (ok mom more than son but that's just me....).  We are convinced that homeschooling-especially in the early years is what God wants for us as parents and children!

I send up special prayers today for ALL going back to school-teachers, staff (big prayers for the kitchen staff and janitors) and kids-that they will find peace and courage today and throughout this entire year.  I pray that each teacher will be able to bring a brilliant spark of enthusiasm to each little innocent soul that is presented to them this year.  I ask the Lord to instill in this precious children the knowledge that they are loved and that their education is a gift-to accept it and use it wisely.  I also send up prayers for all the parents sending their kids back to school today-please help them to know and understand that even though their precious kids are gone from them for 8 hours or more each day that THEY still hold the responsibility for their education -mind, heart and soul.  Help them to cherish each minute of the day they do have with these children and to not be afraid to be the parents they were called by God to be.

To everyone-have a simply fabulous school year!

Tammy

St. Scholastica

St. Michael,

St. Dominc Savio

St. John Bosco......pray for us!