"I've given up"
Feb. 21, 2006 at 8:56 AM
Homeschooling
This mother wants the school set the guidelines? Short skirts and saggy jeans may be the norm but they are NOT normal. It doesn't have to be part of being a teenager. The problem is not the children but the parents. They have given up and given in to the "village" to raise their children. And when the village conflicts with their standard, do they hold fast? No, they give up and actually buy the stuff! What's amazing is that this mother doesn't even realize it's not just the battle for dress that she's lost with her daughter. She's lost her authority as a parent and maybe even her heart as well.Middle school students, who are generally between 12 and 15 years old, often wear revealing or inappropriate clothing as they enter adolescence to follow new fashion trends, said John Moody, superintendent of schools for the Derry School District."They are testing the limits," he said. "It's part of being a teenager."
Inappropriate clothing is as common in New Hampshire as it is in any other state and is turning into a rite of passage for many younger students looking to fit in. Short skirts and saggy jeans are often the norm for middle-schoolers.
Sari Wilbur is a mother of four, the youngest of which is an eighth-grader in Windham, and said she wishes schools would provide more clear guidelines on what students should and should not wear. She said if it were up to her, all the boys would wear collared shirts, and skimpy or ragged clothing would be banned.My daughter has the biggest holes in her jeans you've ever seen, but it's fashion," she said. "By the fourth child I've given up."
In contrast, this mother of a middle schooler hasn't given up on her daughter. Instead, she's giving up on the public schools. She's taking back the reins of her daughter's education and spirit. Here's why,
Middle school has been tough. I've watched a funny, smart, brave, vibrant young girl become unsure, worried, frustrated and sad. Public school teaching is not working for her. Bullies run rampant and stay on their target victims year after year. In 3 years, 6th, 7th and 8th, with no help from the administration. "Just ignore it" is no longer a solution. Particularly when it is effecting your childs education and their spirit.Welcome home.
Via Edwonk.
Related Tags: education, homeschooling, public school, homeschool, modesty, bibilical parenting
4 Comments and Trackbacks
posted by on Feb. 21, 2006 at 12:49 PM
AMEN!! Congratulations to her and to her daughter!!
When are parents (the majority of them.....) going to wake up and just say NO! Isn't that preached to children, preteens and teens to say to peer pressure? No wonder the kids are not applying the message when their own parents are unable or not willing to "...do as they say."
Harriette
Edited by jacobsacademy on Feb. 21, 2006 at 9:50 AM
posted by Boltbabe on Feb. 21, 2006 at 1:23 PM
I am also astonished that the mom's daughter has such clothes. Who bought them for her? Not the school. Why is she waiting for the school to give guidelines? Is the school administration running their family?
It's not just public schools either. We are dealing with this at our church. There is a young lady of 13 who literally has her breast 3/4 exposed regularly...with her parents right next to her, mind you. In addition, she wears slogan t-shirt with sayings such as, "Give me the number of your hot friend" in huge letters across her breasts. She is very tomboyish, yet wears the ultra mini. Of course, she sits like a boy, not a lady. Even my 14 yo son mentioned her clothing. She is clearly tempting the boys and seeking attention. In my opinion, you can be fashionable AND conservative. Esteem is a main companent in this issue.
If a parent has a child who is interested in keeping up with fashion, why seek God's guidance and be a part of the child's choices, not just the credit card at the end of the day. Just Say No!
posted by mrsclark on Feb. 21, 2006 at 3:06 PM
My husband, who works construction, was on site at a local high school recently. He was absoulutely shocked at the dress of girls who are same age as our daughter.
I think it made him truely appreciate homeschooling all the more.
posted by livin4Him6 on Feb. 21, 2006 at 3:27 PM
I live in NH and I can tell you from what I see, even in our little up north the trend to dress in less is making its way up here. My dd gets some clothes from a ps friends sister and many of them I just have to toss because the jeans are too low, the skirts are too high, and the shirts can ride up on the tummy. I say, "no way" and into the garbage they go!! My dh and my sons also keep her line with clothing, if they say "not a good thing" then off it goes and into the garbage it goes.
I was at a sports night last year at the local ps. My dd plays sports with the school, even though we hs. A few of the girls had on the miniest tiniest skirts that i think I have ever seen. I asked a friend of mind if they had a dress code and she said yes. I am going to assume, that they did not adhere to it on that night. I have to say that the girls that were dressed appropiatly looked so much better.