I started reading a book called The Well-Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education at Home because I was told it would be a good resource for me in our homeschooling journey.
In the first few pages, I read a line that really struck a chord with me.
“If you want your child to have an excellent education, you need to take charge of it yourself.”
I believe this statement is true.
I don’t care what type of school your child goes to – public, private, or homeschooling. I’m not the one to decide what is best for your child and your family. You are.
But I will say as parents, we have to take charge of our children’s education.
If you send your child to school each day, you can’t sit back and let the teachers be solely responsible for teaching your child.
You need to meet with the teachers, discuss how your child is doing, and to help your student learn outside the classroom.
Even with private school you still have to step in and teach your child. Money doesn’t mean you get to leave it all to the teacher.
Teachers are faced with overcrowded classrooms and not enough resources. I have no doubt that they care for the children in their classrooms but they cannot be expected to teach the kids everything.
Learning never stops. It doesn’t end once the bell rings at 3:00pm and the school doors open.
We are the parents.
We are responsible for our children.
We need to take charge.
We need to give them the best.
(And because I want you to have the best drinks for 4th of July I’m telling you that you need to check out the Blue Margarita we have on One Martini).
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Twitter: elenawollborg
says:
I love your response and take on this statement. I couldn’t agree more that parents need to be involved – it’s SO key. I’ve never, and especially now as a parent – will never, understand when I have students in class and the parents are just absent from the whole education process.
I have to admit – when I read this statement on FB last night, I took it a completely different way. I think it’s because public schools are receiving so much criticism lately in the media, that I’m a bit defensive on the whole subject.
Learning definitely doesn’t stop when the school bell rings and it’s awesome that you see it that way. That’s the type of parent I love to have during the school year.
Elena recently posted..Protective Gear Required
I think the statement can be taken many different ways which is why I felt that I needed to write more about my opinion of it. Teachers do get a lot of criticism which is sad because they really do have a tough job and not enough resources. But as parents, we have to stand up for our children and give them the best we can.
Exactly! Learning doesn’t start and end in the classroom. We parents should take it upon ourselves to follow through with our children’s education.
The Pepperrific Life recently posted..How to Help Your Kids Love School
We are the best teachers our children will ever have.
Twitter: KimberlyAMuro
says:
Well said my Assy friend. Learning and education do not stop at school. As parents we have to be involved in it too. When I was a teacher I saw so many parents check out of the learning process and just figured that we would handle it. They didn’t understand that it needed to continue with their support. It was so frustrating.
Kimberly recently posted..To My Baby
I can’t even imagine what it would be like to be a teacher to kids that are not my own. Must be so difficult, especially when the parents check out of the process.
Twitter: AlisonSWLee
says:
We parents are the best teachers, period.
Alison@Mama Wants This recently posted..Shit I Did As A Teenager
Yes.
Twitter: UniquelyEN
says:
LOVE THIS!!!!
Please come to Meet Your Teacher Night in my classroom and guest speak
Seriously, so many parents don’t give themselves enough credit regarding being their child’s teacher. For one reason or another they feel that they don’t have the ‘education’ to teach their child. So much can be said about simply having a conversation and listening to your child, please parents just listen and talk out the reasoning behind the thinking. You’ll be amazed with the results!
Erin recently posted..Our Story Part 5 . . . The Conclusion
I’m a terrible guest speaker.
I do a lot of talking with my kids. Unfortunately my oldest usually replies with one word answers but at least I’m trying.
Twitter: babspinfrance
says:
I love this comment! Parents definitely do need to be more involved!
Barbara recently posted..Parenting 101
If we each take care of our own kids we will be in good shape as a whole.
Twitter: EverythingEvie
says:
What a great elaboration on that line, Jess. I’ll have to check out that book for myself. I definitely agree with you 100 percent. Parents need to be involved as much as possible. My sister has two kids in high school and recently she was only one of three parents who opted to recieve weekly student progress reports and attendance alerts via email and text message. Her son’s guidance councelor said he wished more parents were as involved as she and her husband. So sad.
Eve recently posted..Stress, Moving, and Family
It’s a good book so far and I think it can be used as a resource for parents no matter where the kids are going to school.
Twitter: ByWordsMusings
says:
So looking forward to this journey with you …. it is so the right time for you.
And you will be awesome!
By Word of Mouth Musings recently posted..Letters For Lucas – By Word of Mouth Musings
Thank you for all of your support my friend.
Right on! Couldn’t agree more.
Christine@theaums recently posted..PanCAKES: A Birthday Tradition
Thank you Christine.
I agree 100% with that line. I know it’s a ton of work to keep tabs on your child’s education, but I feel like it’s so worth it. At the same time, I panic a little because I feel like I need to be doing a better of teaching things, even though she’s only 17 months old.
Rach (DonutsMama) recently posted..Eeek! I’m Famous!
It is a lot of work to raise children but it’s what we sign up for when we have them.
I agree with you, 100%. We are, ultimately, responsible for our children.
Nicole recently posted..I think I’m a Winter
That is so true.
Totally agree!!! I think you’re doing a great job researching and making sure that they have the best education possible.
xo
Runnermom-jen recently posted..Radio Silence
Thank you Jen. I hope I am doing the right thing for them.
Twitter: beeswithhoney
says:
Jessica.
This post made my day. As a teacher, I almost shed tears as I read your words about how education shouldn’t be left solely to the teachers in the system. If only all parents (and governments) would think this way. “If you want your child to have a good education, you need to take charge of it yourself”. Couldn’t say it any better. I think it’s wonderful what you’re planning on doing for your oldest daughter come the new school year. She’s SO lucky to have a Mom who cares so much. Cheers to you!
Bruna recently posted..fairytopia
As a teacher, I respect and admire you Bruna. You have a tough job and I don’t know how you do it everyday and still have time for your beautiful girls.
Twitter: KoalaBearWriter
says:
YES! I totally agree with this. We have another year before we have to decide whether to homeschool our daughter or put her in school (and I lean toward homeschooling), but whatever choice we make, I believe that we aren’t simply handing over her education to someone else. Each parent must choose the education that is best for their CHILD and their family, but stay involved through it all.
Thanks for sharing.
Bonnie Way recently posted..Writers-on-Wednesday: Ginger Moran
No matter what you do with schooling, you will still be involved with it. And your children will benefit greatly.
I could not have said it better myself dear friend!!! So so true! I always tell people- there is no way a stranger is going to care more about my child’s education than I do. So it just makes sense that I be the one in charge of it.
Gina recently posted..Kona Brewing Company- Longboard Island Lager
That makes perfect sense and I’m sure your children are greatly benefiting from you taking the lead.
I couldn’t agree more!! I can’t wait to hear all about this new journey.
Leighann recently posted..Behind the Firey Doors
Thank you Leighann.
Twitter: laurenweber84
says:
Amen, sister! I just discussed this with my friend. As of now, I plan to send my kids to public schools (ours are pretty good), BUT, I will be that parent who gets involved in EVERYTHING and gets to know the teachers in the grades ahead so I can always request for the best. Parents are definitely the determining factor for a child’s wellbeing in the education system.
I’m so glad you’re figuring out what’s going to work for your kids and their educational future. Kudos, mama!
Mrs. Weber recently posted..4 Years Ago Today…
Sounds like you are well prepared already to handle public school. Good job!
Twitter: krrobi
says:
“If you want your child to have an excellent education, you need to take charge of it yourself.”
Jessica, I work for the school district, and this statement is “TRUE.”
If all parents believed this, our educational system would ROCK, but several parents would rather blame the teachers than be part of the solution.
Xxx
My Inner Chick recently posted..Laughing. Praying. Loving.
I’m sure if all the parents took control the public school system would improve.
You’re so right! I think the problem with many of the education related things in our society is that many parents don’t think they have any role in their children’s educations. But they do. They have a very, very important role. They have THE most important role! Teachers can only do so much, it’s the parents who must assume the leading role in inspiring their children to want to learn and love to learn.
The best thing we can do as parents is to make sure that we are involved for our own children and hope that other parents will do the same.
This is so, so true. I don’t know where the kids will go to school, but I do know that Ryan and I are going to be very involved in what they do there. As a former teacher, I know how important it is for kids to learn all the time — not just when they’re in the classroom.
angela recently posted..An Arrangement
Sounds like you are on the right track Angela.
Completely agree. I feel with teachers it’s 50/50 at least. I love that they can cover the basics but I actually really enjoy being part of the process too. In fact we’re doing a loose home-school curriculum this summer. It’s 30 min. each of chores, reading, math sheets, bible study, typing for Emry and Spanish for all when I can fit it in. I love it so far.
marie recently posted..X (or anything really) marks the spot
That sounds great Marie.
Twitter: AccidentalDesig
says:
That is a great book and I wish I had found it sooner in our homeschooling journey. 10 years in, I still feel just exactly as you said. I student taught in public school and knew I would homeschool. My daughters went to private school one year. I took them out the next year. I won’t say I never looked back, because we have gone through the tween and teen years face to face all day. But you are right. This is my job. No excuses. No regrets. No shame. Thanks so much for getting me fired up this morning!!! I can’t wait to follow your journey. You are fantastic.
Maggie S. recently posted..Wordful Wednesday: A Quick Catch-Up
I’m sure I’ll have days where I wish I wasn’t homeschooling but at the end of the journey I hope it will all be worth it.
Twitter: applesndroses
says:
I couldn’t agree with you more!
As a teacher I’ve had the best results with children when parents worked with me. Sometimes it’s just that little extra effort that helps kids overcome some hurdles in the learning process.
Mirjam recently posted..Hindsight
I didn’t know you were a teacher Mirjam. Learn something new everyday.
Twitter: galitbreen
says:
I love this and couldn’t possibly agree more – as a mom, and as a former teacher!
Galit Breen recently posted..Within, and Just Outside
Thank you Galit.
Twitter: Twinisms
says:
This is true. I’d add that once they are old enough to understand it, the children have to take charge of their own education too.
Bridget recently posted..Fancy Feet
My kids aren’t there yet but I do agree with you Bridget. Once they are at a certain point, they do need to also be responsible for their own education.
Twitter: NorthWestMommy
says:
I agree wholeheartedly.
Stasha recently posted..Farmers market
I’m glad to hear that Stasha.
Twitter: SharonPfeiffer
says:
You go, Mama!!
Sharon {Grumpy, Sleepy, and Bashful} recently posted..Painting A Dinosaur
Thanks Sharon.
This is so true. Every parent needs to realize that our responsibilities don’t stop, just because our children are in school. Well said.
Natalie @MamaTrack recently posted..Pieces of Me
Thank you Natalie.
Twitter: AccustomedChaos
says:
I love this post & think it’s an important one for those parents who are new to sending their kids to school. That first bit it can be a struggle to adjust to the new roles and realize that you are still so, SO involved & important even when they’re somewhere else.
Devan McGuinness recently posted..Fostering a Budding Artist & Embracing the Mess That Comes Too
It can be hard at first trying to adjust to life with a child in school but eventually it all gets figured out and we have to stay a part of our children’s education.
Powerful words and so true. It sounds like you have found a wonderful resource. I admire your plight, philosophy and determination. I look forward to updates.
Tonya recently posted..I’m Ready!
I have found a lot of homeschooling resources as we’ve headed down this path. now I have to figure out how to use them all together to figure out how to be a teacher.