Letting go of private school?
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| Thu, 08-21-2008 - 11:47am |
Hello everyone,
As I've shared before, my kids attend a private Lutheran school. Grandparents have been paying the tuition. Remember me? I'm the one who was facing an $1800 hole each month! Well things have gotten better for us, I am getting my home daycare license and dh got a new job making almost twice as much as his old job(and still a little more than his old job + second job). So now that we're making more ourselves, we feel we should take over paying our kids school tuition. DH really likes the religious education side, but I see more of the snooty rich people side since I'm in the school more. I've started to become disillusioned with the whole private school thing, and huge tuition payments is part of it. But my older son just loves his school, and when I think about pulling him out, it makes me sad for him. I wish I'd just sent him to public school for kindergarten! (he's in 2nd now) I'm hoping others will have some "been there, done that" stories about switching from private to public school. I think we will not make a change until after Christmas the earliest, or next school year since here we are at the start of school already. It's just really bothering me right now.
Thanks!
Anne

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My daughters never went to private school, so I can't really help you there.
Thanks for your reply Heather. I know my reaction will color my son's reaction, so I try not to talk about it out loud when he's around. Your kids must be really flexible with all that moving! I personally don't like change, and that makes it really hard to think about putting my kids through change. But on the other hand, I do see the value in entering new situations and being successful. I never realized parenting would be *this hard!*
Thanks,
Anne
Carolyn,
Thanks for your reply! You are right--the unknown is really bothering me! I myself hate change. We moved a few times in my childhood, and I always longed for the feeling of belonging just because we'd always been there, if that makes any sense. It's *my* dream to always live in the same house, go to the same school, same church, and build a life long history. Although being deeply in debt never entered my childhood dreams, and that is my current reality. People who have as much debt as my dh and I do should not be paying private school tuition. Realistically I know this. Emotionally, I don't know!
I like your idea about visiting the school and talking to the principal. I have all year to get things set up for next year. If I explore a little at a time I should be more comfortable by start of school next year. Sigh. . . .
Thanks!
Anne
Anne,
We don't really enjoy moving, either.
My son was in Catholic school from the first grade until it is was time for middle school that was 7th grade and then he started in public school Since all the kids starting in the 7th grade were new he was in the same boat as the rest so it worked out great and he did better in public school He is an engineer in Florida now I don't think it really hurt him that much. But the middle school was a maginet school so that could have made the difference to
Mary Ann
I don't know what teaching is like in your area, but just to give you some perspective--in the area I live in, all teachers want to get into the public school (better pay and benefits).
I've done the switch before with no adverse effects to the child.
Thanks for your reply Mary Ann!
I see your savings is inching upward. . . good for you!
Maybe I should finally just get myself a ticker, too :)
Anne
Hi Erin,
Thanks for your thoughtful perspective. The crazy thing is, I myself am a certified teacher, and I taught in a public school before my son was born. I do know how competitive the field is around here. Heck, they want certified teachers for their aide positions! It's not really a matter of thinking the public school teachers aren't very good, it's more an emotional thing. My son has friends at his current school, he is comfortable there and has had great experiences. Socially, I am not an outgoing person and so my circle of friends is very small. My son is also quite shy and I fear he'll be swallowed up by the other boys in the public school. It's not a teacher thing, or a school thing. . . it's a social/emotional thing--with my emotions the main stumbling block!
Anne
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