Some scattered thoughts... We're from the last generation that was allowed to play outside. A lot of stuff from the 80s and 90s from when we grew up is becoming a lost art, but we can still pass on lessons that we've learned. You strike me as a thoughtful and very capable person and I'm confident you'll make great decisions for your kiddo. Whatever insecurities any of us have about raising our kids, most of us will end up making pretty good decisions and they'll turn out fine.
I remember that panic so well...and now he's entering COLLEGE! (and that's a whole other panic!) Anyway, don't stress. Everything will fall into place! And I can't to see you here in Cincy! :)
As long as you can see that your daughter is thriving she’ll do great, regardless of what option you choose! I spent all my childhood attending public school on the “bad” side of town—far less resources to be sure but nevertheless, the teachers were caring and motivated and the experience was very positive. Even without an archeologist on staff, regretfully.
Felicia, I would hire you in a hot minute. You have shown you can do comedy & drama without a second thought. With school, you are absolutely asking the right questions and taking the right approach with finding a school that fit Calliope's needs. I really have to admire your parenting skills. I had the same response to the comment about an archeologist on staff. Holy Buckets that's insane. And can't wait to make the Apple Cake recipe. It looks so good
There is not a lot of hard data that great schools produce better results for kids than average schools, so as long as you avoid a really bad one, your kiddo is likely to turn out well. Most of the impact in test scores comes from having all the kids who have parents that did well in school sending their kids to the same "good" schools.
My only clear memories of school are the hours I spent in detention in the fourth grade. I was a political prisoner. Unless your daughter declares that math is something that must be accepted on faith, is therefore a religion, that as a math atheist she should be excused from the whole mess and ends up in detention defending her beliefs, it doesn't matter how you educate her. She isn't going to remember any of it anyway.
As you pointed out, it's all about the child. I'd try homeschooling first. If they don't thrive in that environment, there's always public school. I'll say this; I've seen young people turn out just fine having gone through either and sometimes both (both kids of a good friend did homeschooling until Grade 8 then public for highschool). I've also seen some who fell through the cracks, especially in public school. You obviously have your kid's back, so that's not going to happen. They'll be fine, Mom, and so will you! :)
I won’t pretend to advise you on school choices. I put my son through the gamut of homeschool, private school overseas, and public school. My daughter only went to public school. They both excelled.
Be encouraged. Love your daughter, and she will be fine whatever choice you make.
Let me put in a word for your local public school. As you said, your taxes pay for it. Kids from all races, religions, and socioeconomic levels attend it. You are exposed to modern life, not sheltered from it. If Calliope has an aptitude for study, then there are magnet schools and gifted-and-talented programs she can access. Plus, whatever other supplemental education she can receive at home, I wouldn't worry at this point. I know parents who somehow come up with $20-$30 K per year for private school tuition and it seems to be more a burden than a benefit. Just sayin'...
Yes and no, and kinda yeah. There's no rules against having wheelie bars and training wheels on the same bike.
Group schooling offers learning, activities and socializing skills. It helps spread wings.
You obviously kicked learning's butt, alternatively. You set out to at least try some new experiences while flogging it. You achieve activities.
You have affiliations with others who've been dealing with similar considerations and circumstances.
I have a few friends and family members who have or still do homeschool their children, some prior to covid, who aren't happy with with what's available otherwise. I've heard home schooling has become much easier with the substantial increase of focus in distanced learning.
I suggest working with a group of friends, building a group of local parents with children at Callie's level, and forming a program that IS homeschooling WITH a trusted group of parents who share some of the more general responsibilities. Take advantage of the programs available digitally, and get the children together periodically for group involvement. Maybe bring in a teacher or two along the way for some directly paid sessions. Maybe an archeologist would volunteer a few hours for the cause.
Most local public school systems are required to allow homeschooled children to attend public school events. Might be awkward not knowing 95% of the people at a V-Day formal, but the inclusion makes for potentially great opportunities.
Good luck with all that. At her age, so long as she learns to read, write, and add in a safe environment she'll be doing ok. You'll sort the rest out when you need to.
The school thing is brain-bending. I’ve homeschooled my kids their whole lives. The oldest just graduated, and his brother is going to start doing a hybrid of homeschool and public high school for his last two years, because mama’s tired. 😂 (I offered both of them the chance to go to high school every year; this is the 1st year one took me up on it.)
Every year, I wonder if I’m ruining their lives. Every year, I remember that we did it because public school was so miserably tedious for their dad and I. Every year, I look at how cool and creative and engaged they are, contrast it with how naive they are, and hope that it all works out. If not, I’ll help pay for therapy!
What I have learned is that there’s no perfect system, no perfect situation, there are costs and benefits to every path. As long as you keep that big-hearted focus on what your daughter needs in order to meaningfully engage with the world, she’s going to thrive! It may change from year to year, and that’s okay. You two get to co-create her childhood, what an adventure. <3
Some scattered thoughts... We're from the last generation that was allowed to play outside. A lot of stuff from the 80s and 90s from when we grew up is becoming a lost art, but we can still pass on lessons that we've learned. You strike me as a thoughtful and very capable person and I'm confident you'll make great decisions for your kiddo. Whatever insecurities any of us have about raising our kids, most of us will end up making pretty good decisions and they'll turn out fine.
I remember that panic so well...and now he's entering COLLEGE! (and that's a whole other panic!) Anyway, don't stress. Everything will fall into place! And I can't to see you here in Cincy! :)
As long as you can see that your daughter is thriving she’ll do great, regardless of what option you choose! I spent all my childhood attending public school on the “bad” side of town—far less resources to be sure but nevertheless, the teachers were caring and motivated and the experience was very positive. Even without an archeologist on staff, regretfully.
Felicia, I would hire you in a hot minute. You have shown you can do comedy & drama without a second thought. With school, you are absolutely asking the right questions and taking the right approach with finding a school that fit Calliope's needs. I really have to admire your parenting skills. I had the same response to the comment about an archeologist on staff. Holy Buckets that's insane. And can't wait to make the Apple Cake recipe. It looks so good
There is not a lot of hard data that great schools produce better results for kids than average schools, so as long as you avoid a really bad one, your kiddo is likely to turn out well. Most of the impact in test scores comes from having all the kids who have parents that did well in school sending their kids to the same "good" schools.
You do you. She will be fine.
My only clear memories of school are the hours I spent in detention in the fourth grade. I was a political prisoner. Unless your daughter declares that math is something that must be accepted on faith, is therefore a religion, that as a math atheist she should be excused from the whole mess and ends up in detention defending her beliefs, it doesn't matter how you educate her. She isn't going to remember any of it anyway.
As you pointed out, it's all about the child. I'd try homeschooling first. If they don't thrive in that environment, there's always public school. I'll say this; I've seen young people turn out just fine having gone through either and sometimes both (both kids of a good friend did homeschooling until Grade 8 then public for highschool). I've also seen some who fell through the cracks, especially in public school. You obviously have your kid's back, so that's not going to happen. They'll be fine, Mom, and so will you! :)
I won’t pretend to advise you on school choices. I put my son through the gamut of homeschool, private school overseas, and public school. My daughter only went to public school. They both excelled.
Be encouraged. Love your daughter, and she will be fine whatever choice you make.
Let me put in a word for your local public school. As you said, your taxes pay for it. Kids from all races, religions, and socioeconomic levels attend it. You are exposed to modern life, not sheltered from it. If Calliope has an aptitude for study, then there are magnet schools and gifted-and-talented programs she can access. Plus, whatever other supplemental education she can receive at home, I wouldn't worry at this point. I know parents who somehow come up with $20-$30 K per year for private school tuition and it seems to be more a burden than a benefit. Just sayin'...
I love you! You are so adorable. You always cheer me up. Thanks!
One option you did not mention was possibly... moving? Esp with the (now completed) improvements, I bet your house is worth a lot more than it was.
Is there anything truly keeping you in the LA area?
I have recently heard that many cities now also have Internet technology (even the ones in "good" school districts!)....
Yes and no, and kinda yeah. There's no rules against having wheelie bars and training wheels on the same bike.
Group schooling offers learning, activities and socializing skills. It helps spread wings.
You obviously kicked learning's butt, alternatively. You set out to at least try some new experiences while flogging it. You achieve activities.
You have affiliations with others who've been dealing with similar considerations and circumstances.
I have a few friends and family members who have or still do homeschool their children, some prior to covid, who aren't happy with with what's available otherwise. I've heard home schooling has become much easier with the substantial increase of focus in distanced learning.
I suggest working with a group of friends, building a group of local parents with children at Callie's level, and forming a program that IS homeschooling WITH a trusted group of parents who share some of the more general responsibilities. Take advantage of the programs available digitally, and get the children together periodically for group involvement. Maybe bring in a teacher or two along the way for some directly paid sessions. Maybe an archeologist would volunteer a few hours for the cause.
Most local public school systems are required to allow homeschooled children to attend public school events. Might be awkward not knowing 95% of the people at a V-Day formal, but the inclusion makes for potentially great opportunities.
Headshots look great. You know ❤
Good luck with all that. At her age, so long as she learns to read, write, and add in a safe environment she'll be doing ok. You'll sort the rest out when you need to.
I know this doesn’t help you, but I saw this super neat kindergarten in Japan. It’s the neatest thing I’ve ever seen and wanted to share.
https://ideas.ted.com/inside-the-worlds-best-kindergarten/amp/
The school thing is brain-bending. I’ve homeschooled my kids their whole lives. The oldest just graduated, and his brother is going to start doing a hybrid of homeschool and public high school for his last two years, because mama’s tired. 😂 (I offered both of them the chance to go to high school every year; this is the 1st year one took me up on it.)
Every year, I wonder if I’m ruining their lives. Every year, I remember that we did it because public school was so miserably tedious for their dad and I. Every year, I look at how cool and creative and engaged they are, contrast it with how naive they are, and hope that it all works out. If not, I’ll help pay for therapy!
What I have learned is that there’s no perfect system, no perfect situation, there are costs and benefits to every path. As long as you keep that big-hearted focus on what your daughter needs in order to meaningfully engage with the world, she’s going to thrive! It may change from year to year, and that’s okay. You two get to co-create her childhood, what an adventure. <3