Last school year, my school district began a pilot school.  The school year is longer, the school day is longer, uniforms are mandatory, in addition to a pronounced focus on reading and math (90 minutes EACH per day), among other curriculum changes.  They had a random lottery to determine which students would go there. I was convinced that this would be the perfect school for  SweetPea.

SweetPea loves school. He’s very good at math. He’s a good reader, he just doesn’t like to have to sit still and explain what he’s read. He is usually a favorite of teachers, and he loves learning new things.  The only problem is that he doesn’t do well if the environment isn’t structured.  I knew that if he went to the regular public school for 4th grade, we’d have a lot of work to do.

When the lottery was done, SweetPea didn’t make it.  Normally, I would have been upset, but I was calm.  I thought (and told him), that wherever God wanted him to be, that’s where he would be.  Sure enough, SweetPea was in the top 5 on the waiting list. The way it worked was that if you were chosen, you still had to formally accept your position at the school.  I knew that at least 5 parents would not accept, and I was right!  SweetPea got in.

School for him begins in the first week of August now.  He gets on the bus around 7:45. He gets home around 4:45. And he has homework, which he does after he gets a snack.  He has adjusted to this routine well. I have no problems out of him, and no complaints.

This year, various people have had their opinion on the schedule:

That’s too long of a day for a kid!

He doesn’t get enough summer break!

Uniforms are too expensive!

I say it’s all bull. Why?

Because I firmly believe that children have ONE job: TO GET AN EDUCATION.

This is what I tell my boys all the time. They’re not here to play video games, go on vacation, lounge around and vegetate, sucking up food and heat.  They’re here to learn and prepare for when they have to go out into the world and fend for themselves.  I’m not saying that they can’t have any fun. Far from it.  SweetPea has a lot of fun in his life. But I see that he’s at his best when he’s learning, when his mind is being engaged.  I see how he’s maturing and growing.  I don’t want that to be lost by 3 months of sitting on his hind parts, playing the Wii or watching Disney all day.  I don’t see the point of it. He had a month and a half off, went to a daycamp that he really enjoyed, and his mind stayed fresh.

He didn’t have to get ready for school.  He was ready for school.

I told my boys last year, and will be reminding them this year:  You have one job. That is to get an education. Nothing else comes before that.  Therefore,  you will do your best. You will bring your books home every day. You will do your homework before you do anything else.  You will behave appropriately in school.

SweetPea’s school is kind of like a practice ground for the rest of the schools in the district. What works there will most likely be used at the other schools later.  So, if that means that sooner or later, the twins have to go to school longer and wear uniforms I’m all for it.  They don’t have anything better to do, and it will pay off in the end.

Sure, there is room for lots of fun while growing up.  I’m not a drill sergeant.  But not wanting a child to get a great education because you think little Precious can’t handle an extra hour or two a day, or because you might have to reschedule that family vacation to Disneyland, OR because you fail to recognize that whether you buy uniforms or regular clothes, you’re still gonna spend a good bit of money clothing your child doesn’t make sense to  me.

I want my children to get the best education they can get. If that means that I have to buy school supplies in July, go on vacation in June, and get my brain ready to help with homework in August, so be it.

Their job is to learn. Our job is to facilitate it.

The END.

{mrsday}

I have always wanted one child. ONE. I always wanted that ONE child to be a GIRL.

It seems that God had other plans. I gave birth to ONE child.  A BOY.   And when my husband came into my life, he brought all BOYS with him.  At first there were three, but the oldest went to live with his mom.  So now I have 2 more.

Boys.

I had visions of doing hair, playing with makeup, shopping for cute little clothes.  But it was not to be.

I have BOYS.

Boys who make ungodly messes, have to be told to take showers, and after a day of play, are sweaty and stinky.

Boys.

Boys are the most kind-hearted, sweet, joyful people.  Boys who make me laugh every day.  Boys who, when I think of them, bring a smile to my face.  Silly, crazy, adorable boys.

Boys.

Boys that make me cards, potholders, and pottery.  Boys who always think of me when they have a little money to go to the store.  Boys who like to sit up close to me and follow me wherever I go.

Boys.

Boys who don’t have hair that needs to be done or need accessories to match their outfits. Boys who are pretty much wash and go.

Boys.

I’m so glad that God doesn’t always give us what we want, but ALWAYS what we NEED.