Wow! I didn't realize how much our society revolves around the traditional school year until we stepped away from regular school. On every channel, I see "Back to School Sale" commercials for clothes, shoes, electronics and school supplies.. At the grocery store, I glance at magazines that share their "School Night Dinner Recipes" and "Tips for Getting Your Kids Ready for School". I've even seen the pictures and video clips of parents who are dancing, singing and acting like they won the lottery because they're kids are finally going back to school! Woo-hoo!! Everyone is so happy!!!
As happy as parents are that their kids are finally going back to school, I wonder if they've forgotten the frustrations, problems and even heartaches from the months of the previous school year. Common Core (There! I said it!). Increasing hours of homework. Cookie cutter learning. Stress from over-testing. Teachers who are overwhelmed with overcrowded classrooms. Budget cuts in the arts. Bullying. Cyberbullying. Promiscuity. School Violence.
Let's talk about bullying for a moment. I just read an article,"Safety Net" by Lambeth Hochwald, in the September issue of Family Circle. In her article, Ms. Hochwald shared that "up to one in three kids report being victimized at school" and "49% of students between grades 4 and 12 say they've been targeted at least once in the past month".
Being the new kid in elementary, middle and high school (we moved around a lot), I was often bullied. Our son was bullied in school, as were some of his friends. Statistics don't lie, bullying has become more rampant than ever. Not only is bullying on the rise, but it's getting worst in ways we never could have never imagined! Cyberbullying that is 24/7. Cruel videos of kids who are being victimized floating around the Internet. Apps and websites that are virtual playgrounds for kids to bully each other in anonymity. More news of kids retaliating with unspeakable violence. Did we ever think that bullying could be taken to these new, scary levels?
In August and September, we try not to think about these things. Parents are optimistic and hopeful for a good year...but aren't we just sweeping these problems under the rug? Trying to focus on the happy, back to school season until these many issues start rearing their ugly heads. We'll keep sweeping until the lump under the rug gets bigger and bigger...and then we'll have to deal with it. Year after year. It just gets harder and harder. As a parent, you don't know what to do.
In previous posts, I've mentioned that there are a lot of freedoms that go along with being a homeschool family. Freedom from scheduling vacations around the school year. Freedom in having your days be less stressful. Freedom in having your child's learning be a hands-on experience. Freedom in knowing your child is in a safe, learning environment. Freedom in teaching your child to learn in the way that is best suited for him or her. What I know, as a homeschool parent, is there is a freedom in not being of the "Back to School World". Freedom is being blessed to be able to do what is best for your child and family.
I'm through with sweeping things under the rug. Our happiness is year round now....not just the first months of fall or first months of summer..
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