As parents, we try really hard not to mess our kids up, at least not too much. I’ll be wondering for years if our decision to send Zachary to public school was the right one.
[dropcap3]T[/dropcap3]he main job of a parent is to make sure you prepare your kids to one day survive on their own (mostly), without completely screwing them up in the process (Good luck with that!). This means making a zillion little daily decisions on their behalf, as well as making some pretty big decisions for them, too. We made one of those “big” decisions this year, and decided to take The Goose out of private school and send him to public school. Meaning this morning Zachary started 2nd grade, in a new school.
Zachary gets to work
Chris and I went back and forth, and while money wasn’t the issue (we had a generous benefactor the past two years), we decided we wanted Zachary to attend the school that was just down the street and has earned a great reputation over the past few years, instead of shuttling him 30-40 minutes each way, every day. We also want The Goose to start creating the kind of friendships that span elementary school, middle school, high school, and beyond. He would not be able to do that if we kept him at FLEC–once he hit high school we would either have to move to keep him in a high school with his friends, or we would have to pull him away from all of the friends he’d made over the years. We’d rather pull him away now.
Of course, that’s not to say that we won’t move before he’s out of school–in fact it would be really odd if we were still on Lake Alden for the next 10 years, but you never know. I like my home. 🙂 We also have to consider Jonah. There’s no way to afford FLEC for both of them, when Jonah starts kindergarten in a few years, so he will likely start Apopka, where Zachary is now.
There are a few other, personal reasons, for the switch, but this post isn’t about me. 😀
As for totally screwing Zachary up before he moves out on his own some day, only time will tell. I have plenty of other opportunities to mess him up major decisions to make on his behalf between now and then.
Our neighbor’s went through the same dilemma last school year and their girls had a fabulous year. Private school is no guarantee of a great teacher or a good year. I’m confident Zachery will have a good year – or at least I hope so.
.-= On a limb with Claudia´s last blog ..Laugh =-.
I’m a private school product, boarding school in the 9th grade 100 miles away from home, and I second Claudia’s comment. I had some great teachers, but not all. I wanted to come home my senior year (hormones and girls and all) and was a total square peg in a round hole.
Socialization is just as important as geometry, you need both, and as for the friends made during my years spent in boarding school, I currently have 0 in my life.
We have gone back and forth every year about whether to keep Aidan in private school or yank him out. Our school district here is in such a shambles that moving him is not a viable option right now. I’m sure Zachary is going to do great at his new school! It means making friends with kids who live close to you which makes play dates MUCH easier to handle!
.-= Karin´s last blog ..I’m Going Digital =-.
Our neighbor’s went through the same dilemma last school year and their girls had a fabulous year. Private school is no guarantee of a great teacher or a good year. I’m confident Zachery will have a good year – or at least I hope so.
.-= On a limb with Claudia´s last blog ..Laugh =-.
Thanks Claudia, I’m pretty confident we made the right choice for the entire family. I’m excited to hear about his day today. 🙂
I’m a private school product, boarding school in the 9th grade 100 miles away from home, and I second Claudia’s comment. I had some great teachers, but not all. I wanted to come home my senior year (hormones and girls and all) and was a total square peg in a round hole.
Socialization is just as important as geometry, you need both, and as for the friends made during my years spent in boarding school, I currently have 0 in my life.
I think you turned out just fine, private school or public. 🙂
Zachary had a great first day, which is a promising sign. Of course, we’ll see what happens when the novelty wears off, lol.
We have gone back and forth every year about whether to keep Aidan in private school or yank him out. Our school district here is in such a shambles that moving him is not a viable option right now. I’m sure Zachary is going to do great at his new school! It means making friends with kids who live close to you which makes play dates MUCH easier to handle!
.-= Karin´s last blog ..I’m Going Digital =-.
Oh, I can’t wait to start making those kinds of decisions :/
Wait. Yes I can. Can I somehow stunt my kid’s growth at 3?