I always wanted to homeschool. I just thought it would be great and I'd get to spend time with the kids and help them explore their world and learn together. I especially wanted to homeschool since the schools in our area are NOT AT ALL desirable.
However, I with my assistant having been on bed rest and about to deliver a baby and dealing to the adjustment of being a new mom I have realized... I just can't. It broke my heart to admit it. I just can't run a successful business where I have to devote 100% of my attention to my clients when they're here AND give my kids and their academics the attention they'll need AT THE SAME TIME. I've tried to work with them since my Mac finally got fixed and it just turned out to be a "let's destroy mommy's studio and see how many props we can try to break and how big of a mess we can try to make" fiasco. If it were just my house, meh, it's alright. If I could run a business during naptime, I could do that.
But photography isn't like that. There's consults and meetings and networking and marketing and portrait sessions and editing sessions and viewing and ordering sessions and pickup sessions and, apparently, the need for run-on sentences. When my clients are here paying me for quality portraiture, I just can't have my toddler running naked through the background of their shot. That won't end up on anyone's walls.
So, we made the decision to invest in private Christian school. Break.my.heart.
Then, it was finding the right one. Which one had a good reputation? Which one had good test scores? Which one would accept us if we're out of town? Which one would accept us if we weren't that denomination? Which one wouldn't cost 10k/kid/year not including books and uniforms and extracurriculars? Which one wasn't an incredibly long drive away? Which one still had openings?
Did you know that if you're from out of town you can get charged up to $500 per kid per year? Then, if you're not their particular denomination, it's an extra $500 per kid per year? That's 2k per kid, per year in addition to $600 a month tuition and uniforms, books, etc. For preschool. WHAT?! Get into elementary and high school and it's 10k a year a piece. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
I know that they have the right to charge what they charge and that it is a luxury to be able to send your kid, but holy cow. I wasn't expecting that.
And then they book up. In advance. Way in advance. The school we were looking at booked up preschool last year. For the fall 2013 semester. Seriously? I have a friend who looked into it for her daughter in December and is wait-listed. Wait-listed! For preschool! And it's competitive. Really competitive.
They give priority to the children of the staff first.
Then they give priority to younger siblings of children already there.
Then they give priority to tithing church members. I know people who don't want to go to the "owning" church, but will tithe there while attending their church just so they can be counted as "members" and have a greater chance to get in.
Then they open it to the public.
It's like trying to get into college. And these are 3 and 4 year olds.
But, we lucked out. There is a new academy opening up this fall. Because they're newer, their fees aren't quite so high. They only charge 2.5k a year per kid. The next cheapest is 3.5k. Then they go up to 10-12k. Per year. Per kid. No frills attached. Anyway, they're accepting applications and interviews (you have to have references and be interviewed as a family to get in) until the end of this month. There are a couple of prek4 spots open. A handful at most. I had them rush me an application which is being sent back and am trying to schedule the soonest possible interview appointment.
Fingers crossed, prayers being said, everything else that they like us and accept us. If they don't I have no idea what we'll do. We can't do public preschool. I have no idea how to school them at home without either their education or the business suffering. It's a wing and a prayer right now that we can get in to a brand new school that most people haven't yet heard about that's already 99% booked for the fall. It's February. Am I the only one who thinks this is nuts?
And, we're saving up to send Auds to dance school. I didn't want to force her into being a prima ballerina and don't think kids should be forced into activities at a young age to fit stereotypes. Yes, I believe in gender roles as the Bible lays out. But for society reasons, pfffffb. Well, Auds has been obsessed with ballet and Angelina Ballerina for about a year now. Begging to go to dance class. Making up dances and performing shows in the living room and/or for anyone who will watch.
Okay, I'll let you go kid. Well, then it's trying to find a decent school. Which one is ethical (actually teaching fundamentals instead of trying to steal money)? Which one has a good reputation? Which one isn't booked up? Which one isn't too far away? Which one won't dress my little angel as a hooker and send her out to shake that thang on stage to a song and dance routine that is way to vulgar and mature for her age? Oi.
We found one. There is one ONE local Christian dance school that doesn't believe in full makeup and skimpy costumes for preschoolers. In fact, modesty in dress and movement is one of their key tennents. Woo hoo! I was even more happy to learn that their end-of-the-year recital is a dance interpretation to a Bible story. Last year they did Ruth. Yay! And it's less than half of what the other dance schools cost. Others cost $100+ per month. This one costs $40. How they do that, I don't know. But I'm grateful.
Soooo, now we have to register and apply and interview for dance classes.
I don't want to burn my baby doll out. Our schedules are crazy as it is with prayer meetings, services, Bible studies, youth services, etc. Then to add school and dance school. If she weren't begging, I wouldn't even consider it. But I also don't want to make her think she can't go after her dreams. If she has a passion for dance, who am I do discourage her?
It'll all work out, but I never thought I'd be in this position, let alone schools be so hard to get into. Is it just in the south where it's cut-throat like this? We don't live in a huge city at all. Oi.
No new updates on Drum, my next midwife appointment is next week. Praying all is well. :)
It's not just down south that it is like that, but it seems to only be in more urban areas around here. In my hometown the schools aren't really that competiif Itive, but mainly because they all stink. There are a few preschools/daycares that have waitlists, but they too aren't that difficult to eventually get into.
ReplyDeleteThat's a tough call with the homeschooling. I know what you mean though. I work two days a week and it is possible with that schedule to get in all of the work, but if it were full-time or completely from home, it would be impossible. I know that you and Beau probably prayerfully considered your options and are following the Lord's lead on this decision, so you should be confident in that and know that it is the right thing to do.
As far as dancing goes, I think you made the right decision with the studio. I was a dancer most of my life and loved it, but it was before I became a Christian. Once I gave my life over the Lord, I realized how toxic and evil a lot of the dance culture can be - for a little girl's self esteem and for their developing sense of what it means to be a woman. Before Gabe came along I taught in a Christian studio much like the one you are describing and it was wonderful. The kids were there for fun and to learn about technique without the pressure to be perfect or to look like little hookers. When the studio owner moved to a different town, I looked for another studio to teach at and accepted jobs at two different places until I went to their annual recitals and decided I just couldn't do it. I couldn't be a part of what they were doing to the little girls through the movement, music, and costuming. If Gracie ever wants to dance it will be a tough call for me because there are no Christian studios in the area. I don't know what I will do.
Oh, and another thing to consider - some churches have dance ministries and have classes for little kids. If the dance classes get really expensive at the studio, that might be another option for Audrey.
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