Aug. 26, 2008 - We're the dumbest smart people I've ever seen.
Public school began yesterday. Today, I read in our local paper that 1942 out of 1969 kindergarten parents chose our district's brand new full day kindergarten option. Only 27 parents district-wide kept their kids at the half-day option.
This is clearly insane but there's obviously a group psychosis going on. If I were sending my kid to institutionalized schooling, I'd probably drink the Kool-Aid too. But really, folks. Really? A typical parent quoted in the paper said that their (FIVE YEAR OLD) was "ready for full-day."
Maybe that parent is right. But if your five year old is ready and raring to be gone from the family 40 hours a week, perhaps it's the family that needs their collective heads examined. Then again, I am talking at a society that somehow thinks one must ship off three year olds to learn their letters and colors and numbers and socialization. Funny, people used to understand the kids are socialized in families. With their brothers and sisters and parents.
Well, folks gotta work, right? And it's better than daycare surely? Maybe in some communities both parents gotta work, but I read in our same paper last week that while the national household income averages 50K, the average in my community is $123K. Obviously, folks wanna work but clearly we are not on the ragged edge here in Stepford Land and two incomes are not required to fuel anything other than our own inflated material expectations.
Well, the full day kindergarten must offer a different curriculum than what could be squeezed into half a day, yes? Nope. Same curriculum, whether one chooses the half day or full day. Of course, the administration blathered educationalese about depth and enrichment. Um, ok. When our second grade neighbor came home telling how they watched not ONE but TWO Magic School Bus videos on the first day of school...well, let's just say I'll believe the line about depth and enrichment when I see it.
Do I sound angry? I think I am angry. I watched a wonderful mom on my block struggle all summer with the decision of whether to send her first born to full or half day. Half day would mean he would travel to another elementary school, not the one three blocks away and not the one he would attend in first grade. And then there's that nagging fear, especially prevalent with your first, that if you don't do what the crowd is doing, somehow your kid will miss out or be behind. Full day it was for the little guy. And I don't blame her; I understand the choice. But I am mad at the larger collective us that has decided five year olds should be gone from home the same amount of time as a full time working adult. What is wrong with us?
Blessings, Holly
Comments
Aug. 26, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Arby
And the collective looks at us like we're crazy! I hear you, ohiohol, and I agree. We cannot allow having children get in the way of obtaining personal satisfaction through work and the collection of material goods now, can we?
Aug. 26, 2008 - 5 year olds in all day school
Posted by vicky
i think there is absolutely nothing wrong with putting a 5 year old in school all day. good grief, just about 50 years ago they had to work 9 hours in the mill, losing fingers by age 6. they should consider themselves lucky. i had 5 year olds, and let me tell you, they make it extremely difficult to have a peaceful pedicure or shop for a new dress. and God forbid i should want to meet my friend's for lunch with a 5 year old in tow. those people who think 5 year olds should just go to school half a day are the same sort of people who want to outlaw abortion. wake up, people!
Aug. 26, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by tiarali79
Honestly, I wonder why some people bother having kids. I mean, if your life is too full of stuff and nonsense like pedicures and dates with friends to make room for a child, then don't have them! Some of us like children, and like spending time with them.
Children need time and love. Having a child and then getting rid of them at the first possible opportunity is just selfish.
Aug. 26, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Arby
Am I missing something? Was Vicky trying to make a point through sarcasm, or is she that far out of touch with reality? Just wondering...
Aug. 27, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by dcellis
I believe she was being sarcastic.
Aug. 28, 2008 - yep, sarcasm is a little hard to read on email
Posted by vicky
I was indeed being sarcastic. I thought it was so painfully obvious and over the top that I didn't need to worry about anyone taking me seriously, but after homeschooling for 16 years, maybe i have indeed lost touch with reality.
Sep. 3, 2008 - preach!
Posted by Laura at Wild Parenting
Great post...I have a similar one up today over at www.wildparenting.com.
