My approach to parenting can often be described as lazy. Sometimes I think it is a self-protection measure. I do have a tendency to over-analyze. And I prefer the path of least-resistance if I know it’s taking me to the same location as the other path. I see the tense parents with their hunched up shoulders and their furrowed brows and I wonder why they bother. Shit’s gonna happen whether you’re tense about it or not. <\/p>\n
Of course there are things I am tense about, as anyone knows who has read this blog for longer than five minutes. But not school, as it turns out. I am not tense about school.<\/p>\n
School is starting in September for my kid. I have mentioned before that we lucked out when we moved to this neighbourhood because we live three blocks from an elementary school and less than one block from a middle school, which it turns out we will be needing because the elementary school is only grade K – 5. I assumed it was K-7. That is how lazy I am – I didn’t know until three days ago that it was only K-5. But see, now I know and it’s too late to do anything about it. Kind of like the whole time we lived here I was assuming because it was a French Immersion school that I could just sign my kid up for French Immersion. Technically true, but I would have had to do it while he was fetal. Oops. No French Immersion for us! No problem! <\/p>\n
Perhaps I’m not lazy. Perhaps I am just naive. Certainly I am lucky, and sitting in this lucky place it’s easy to not do much. For the entirety of Trombone’s life I have thought: There is a public school up the road. My child doesn’t have any special needs that I am aware of, therefore the public school up the road should be fine. I will think about it when he is five. Oh look, he’s almost five. I guess I should sign him up for school. So I did, the other day. He is registered for full day kindergarten. Yay, milestone! <\/p>\n
I am fully aware that without any first-hand knowledge of The Public School System I am setting myself up for a fall, here. I have heard people complain about the school system (probably because of its “system”ness, not because of any inherent good or badness) but I can’t pay attention because it’s like warning a pregnant lady about toddlerhood. I’m just not there yet. I’m sure you’re right and I’ll tell you so in a couple of years okay? <\/p>\n
I am also aware that I approach this from a place of privilege; as a white, middle-class, nuclear family in an upper-middle-class part of town, with my blond, blue-eyed boy who has had all his shots, of course it is easy for me to sign him up for school. <\/p>\n
Anyway, with those disclaimers, here is my idealistic view of school, grades K – 7.<\/p>\n
I think school should teach kids how to learn. Have them learn their basic math and basic writing and the principles of reading and then set them free in a well-stocked library. Let them follow their interests. Guide, pique, support. I fully think a kid who is curious – which is every kid I’ve ever met, though some have the curiosity ‘beaten’ out of them – and can read and is supported in her interests can do anything. Despite bad teachers. Because of good teachers. I hated math. I don’t remember a single math teacher’s name. I can still do multiplication tables in my head and make change faster than the cash register at the store. I loved English. I remember all my English teachers. (I have a blog! Success is mine! Snort!<\/i>) <\/p>\n
And I think school should teach kids how to get along with their peers. How to play and argue and bond and do it respectfully. <\/p>\n
I think school should expose kids to differences; cultures, abilities, opinions. And teach them how to respect those differences. <\/p>\n
There should be safety in school. Not terror, not diminishing, not shame. <\/p>\n
Yes this is ideal. And it doesn’t account for variables like: funding. Quality and satisfaction of staff. Kids who need more attention than others and don’t get it. I still remember that kid called Sean who used to sit behind me in grade 2 and hit me on the head with a ruler. I still remember his snaky blue eyes. But hey – life is long. School is only part of it.<\/p>\n
Even if, in two years, I have to eat my words, I want to start out by expecting the best. <\/p>\n
When I say I expect the best, I don’t mean I expect perfection. I mean I expect that there will be mishaps and apologies and learning experiences. It is, after all, school. And a school is a building full of people, not robots. Teachers are human beings doing jobs. I know a few teachers. Every single one does it because of a calling, not because it pays well and has great benefits. (I hear you all laughing) And my kid is a human being doing his job; learning. He’ll screw up. Some teachers might screw up. Probably not nearly as often as I screw up. And yet, I didn’t research my own ability to parent before I just started in on doing it. Imperfectly. <\/p>\n
I intend to go into this thinking – and expecting – that everything is going to be fine. Unless I have to sell chocolate almonds. Then we might have some trouble. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
My approach to parenting can often be described as lazy. Sometimes I think it is a self-protection measure. I do have a tendency to over-analyze. And I prefer the path of least-resistance if I know it’s taking me to the … Continue reading