Public School vs Homeschool...Continued

Did I mention how much I hate being a slave to other people's agendas and schedules?  For instance;  My children attend two different schools on opposite ends of town, I can't make it on time to drive them to opposite schools, so they have to take the bus.  If the regular bus driver is out sick (the regular driver is terrific) then the bus is usually about 20 to 45 minutes or more late.  Then they're marked tardy and miss breakfast (they can eat breakfast in the cafeteria at school).  Why should I have to wait for people who can't get their act together enough to be on time?

Am I selfish to want more than mediocrity from my kids?  I think that children should be challenged in the classroom.  When I was in school I don't remember anyone challenging me and looking back I know I could have done more with encouragement.  Because I was quiet and didn't cause trouble they just ignored me.  This is what is happening to my son.  The teacher marvels at his great behavior but says he needs more motivation...Isn't that her job?  We motivate him constantly at home.  I still don't understand how I can motivate him in the classroom if I'm not even there.

Kids don't respond to our frustrations they just shut down.  At least mine do.  Maybe I am being over-protective.  I just don't want someone else raising my kids...somone I don't know and literally say hello to on meet the teacher night and have to trust for most of my child's day.  Is that blind faith and a gamble or what?

One last thought.  My daughter is in kindergarten.  She gets a check mark just about every day for talking.  They have a color system if the child is on a certain color then they are good or bad.  Talking is bad?  Since when?  I can see if it is disruptive or if she said something that wasn't nice.  No explanation and I have to acknowledge it so the teacher thinks I actually care that she was talking.  I have noticed a change in her behavior since she started school.  I didn't send her to preschool.  She's not always the happy sweet child that she was before I sent her to school.

The laundry and some errands are calling me.  More tomorrow

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