I first asked this question 3 years ago. I found that people very passionately defend where they have their kids. I know some people who feel public school is the only way, other homeschool and still others Christian education. One thing I found found very interesting is that often times parents want to protect their kids from the things they experienced at the schools they attended. The parents who went to public school knew what public school was like and didn’t want that for their kids and were more likely to want to send their kids to private school and kids who went to private school knew what private school was like and didn’t want that for their kids and were more likely to send their kids to public school.
I struggled with this decision for my oldest son who is going into first grade next year and I am still struggling with it for my middle boy who is going into Pre-K next year. Why do I struggle? Well growing up we moved A LOT. When I say a lot I mean I went to 9 different schools in 13 years. I went to Public, Christian, ACE school, and though I wasn’t home schooled my parents home schooled my youngest sister for a few years. Beyond that I have been a kids pastor in the same church for 14 years. So I have seen the good the bad the ugly when it comes to how parents decide where to school their kids.
We are at that place again in our home as I am sure many of you are. Where should I send my kid to school? I think this is a huge issue every family faces. What if we as kids pastors partnered with parents to help them the best decision for their kids. I don’t know how that would work but I think honestly discussing the options are a good starting point.
In the next few days I want to talk about the reasons why you should and shouldn’t send your kids where you send them.
Another blogger friend of mine who has an amazing parenting blog called EpicParent.tv talked about this very topic yesterday. He tackles this very debate over there.
I have learned at least this: take it one kid one year at a time.
I also know that God will give you wisdom as you ask for His best.
I think the reason we are called parents is that we are
free to make this decision for our kiddos.
Our own comfort level must be considered as we make this decision.
How about focusing on what is best… for our
own family and not compare too much with our friend’s
decisions?
Great post Sam!
Thanks Cindy! Great advice love it. We do the same thing. Each kid and each year is different.
I'm with Cindy. You have to take it one step at a time 🙂 I think that we, as parents, get too freaked out about this. While the school your child attends and what kind of schooling is important, what is FAR more important is parental involvement with your kids and what they are doing. It's not even necessarily involvement in the school… if a parent is engaging their child, has taught them how to be responsible and passed on a love of learning and has their child's back, then a child has the deck stacked in their favor.
Sam, I think we could compare notes about schooling experiences 🙂 I, too, went to private school, public school, and a small private school which was almost like being homeschooled 🙂
As a children's ministry leader, what I've done to help parents as they sort through all of this was to approach it from a coaching perspective. I did my best to empower the parent and encourage them as they thought through their options. I tried to keep the ball in their court and help them to consider all options as objectively as possible. Of course all of this flowed out of a relationship of trust that had already been established with the parents.
I look forward to reading the rest of this series.
Good stuff Henry. I think I went to that same christian school. I agree it's in the parents court just trying to come up with some thought provoking posts for parents to help firm up their decision. I appreciate your input.
We currently homeschool and send two to public school and as of today have no clue who is doing what next year. But I do know that have their benefits and both their downfalls. So I look forward to future posts as I always try to encourage others that bottom line our children's education is our responcibility no matter what you choose.
Hey Sam-
This is good stuff. We’ve done public school, public school at home (K12) and are now traditionally homeschooling. One thing the Lord has really shown me is that the decisions that we make regarding educating our kids should be based on vision- not fear.
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts…
Jen here are the other posts.
http://samluce.com/2011/04/4-reasons-not-to-homeschool-your-kids/
http://samluce.com/2011/04/4-reasons-to-homeschool-your-kids/
http://samluce.com/2011/04/4-reasons-i-would-send-my-kid-to-christian-school/
http://samluce.com/2011/04/4-resons-not-to-send-your-kids-to-christian-school/
http://samluce.com/2011/04/4-reasons-not-to-send-your-kids-to-public-school/
http://samluce.com/2011/04/5-reasons-to-send-your-kids-to-public-school/