Nap Time Debate: Homeschooling vs. Public Schools

Swimming, sand, hot sunny days and Popsicles dripping down finger tips. Camping and S'mores all fun summer activities filled with joy and laughter come to an end and the school year vastly approaches. Summer is at it's half way mark and all I can think about is where to send my daughter to school.

She is still working on potty training, though we took her to her first preschool open house back in February or March. Excitement isn't even an accurate description for how Lorelei feels when we walk by the preschool and stop to play on some of the equipment (shhhh, don't tell). She is working hard on potty training, but doesn't seem to have the knack for it as she'd rather be playing right along with her sister, which doesn't quite add up to being ready for preschool.

The girls and I sit together to do endless craft projects, learning letters in work books and cutting out shapes and making puzzles. We do so many learning activities in this house; I even add in learning when we're going for walks or on the beach just by simply asking questions or pointing objects out.

All of this has made me wonder what is best for Lorelei and Hannah in the near future. What is going to be best for my girls? Does homeschooling or Public Schools have the best structure and learning environment for them to flourish and grow?

Homeschooling leaves so many doors open and seems to me to be a much more nurturing environment. It's my responsibility how the day goes and what they have learned by the end of the week. How they view learning and what they learn would be completely up to me. I can send them to summer camp or Library functions or decide to start a homeschooling group for parents and children or I can join a group.

Sending my daughters to a public school offers daily peer interaction and possibilities of ever lasting friendships. Learning from and trusting an adult other than a parent. There are things a public school offers that I simply can't. Learning how to get along with a teacher or peer on a daily basis and coping with their environment; if that may be the case. Odds are in the many years of schooling the children will come across a teacher or peer they just don't understand or get along with.

A child learns to thrive outside the home and learn how to follow their given schedule and earn grades and be admired and seen by peers. It can teach them how to handle a bully or even an assignment they'd rather not participate in.

On the other hand children may feel stifled and left behind their peers if they stay home with their mommy. They may feel uncomfortable in such a fast and structured environment in school.

Are these things I want my children subjected to? Just because it is the norm to attend public school and to learn how to thrive or survive doesn't mean my children need to be subjected to that type of lifestyle. Just as much as keeping my kids home "sounds" like the more nurturing option doesn't mean I need to keep them home with me. After all it takes a village right?

I have so many different arguments on this subject I can't simply decide. Not yet anyway. I'm not sure if I'm the right teacher for my children or have what it takes to guide them into living a happy and fulfilling life as adults. The last thing I want is to look back and think I made selfish decisions. I chose to send them to public school so I didn't have to feel the pressure of their education on my shoulders or I kept them at home with me because I wanted to nurture them and keep them close..too close for their liking.

Expect to see more on this subject in the future as I simply don't have a "winner" for this debate. Both schooling styles seem to be viable solutions to raising children. I hope I can make the right decisions for my children as the years go by. Any advice or opinions, please share!

For some homeschooling information go to http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com. Don't be afraid to look into it yourself. Google it!

For Homeschooling vs. Public Schools Part 2 please click here.

Separation Anxeity: To Whom It May Concern

If you don't already know I am a stay at home mom (S.A.H.M). This job proves to be difficult some days. One reason being that there is no pay (she says with a smile). There are so many obstacles to get over as a mother of two beautiful young girls. There is hitting, biting, pushing, potty training, the questions and much more. My favorite right now is separation anxiety. Between my eldest who is three who has been asking me to go with her everywhere and my one year old who cries at a drop of a hat or a closed door and me on the other side.

"to a degree. At certain stages, most babies or toddlers will show true anxiety and be upset at the prospect — or reality — of being separated from a parent. " www.babycenter.com

"L" never showed much separation anxiety as a baby, but she went through different care providers. One being myself, then my husband, then daycare and help from relatives. She suffers through little to no anxiety in this case, just tells me she misses me when I'm not there. Which makes me want to kiss her or cry I'm not sure. My one year old cries when I go to the bathroom. I love her to pieces and I don't know what I would do with out either one of my girls, but mommy has to potty.

All of these obstacles are difficult to get through, but I am not speaking of my daughters separation anxiety. Confused? No, I'm speaking of my own. Shhhh. Never tell my girls (again with a smile).

My girls are out with there very capable great grandparents today as they have noticed as well as my mother that I do need a bit of a break. I'm beginning to forget things, lose myself so to speak and not keep the house all that together as I used to.

My husband and I talk about how we need a babysitter to go out on more dates (more as in at least one or two more than one or two a year), but we never go looking for a sitter. We have a wonderful support system from our family and I don't know what I would do without that support, help and love. On the other hand I really need to work on my anxiety (worry/stress).

I always worry about what my girls are doing, what they are eating, if they are safe. What if they wander off out of the yard? What if they choke on something or even trip and I'm not there to kiss their booboos? These are real issues that not only go through my head today, but when I think about the girls going to school someday. Will I still feel the same way? It doesn't matter who my kids are with, if it's not me I worry. I wish there was a way to get a break, but still have them right next to me. Nay, I wish I never needed a break.

"Separation anxiety disorder is a psychological condition in which an individual experiences excessive anxiety regarding separation from home or from people to whom the individual has a strong emotional attachment (like a father and mother). It becomes a disorder when the separation reaction becomes strong enough to impair people's ability to conduct their day to day lives and relationships." http://en.wikipedia.org

Remember in my description when I said I was defined by motherhood. This is true. I am a mother and I have let it take over. Some ways it is good and some ways I am just letting myself stress over the silly things. I certainly don't suffer from separation anxiety disorder and wouldn't want to lead you in that direction. It isn't much of an anxiety, as much as a mothers worry.

My children's life and well being are more important than my own which I'm sure is the same for other moms, but I can't seem to breathe without my girls. Unhealthy you say? Yes. I am doing much better though. I can function on my own and do things. I went to the gym today and even painted my toe nails. Oh, and if you're wondering about that house keeping. It's all done. Well, let's just say "all done". ;)