Are you afraid to send your kids to school?

@ravinskye (8237)
United States
April 23, 2007 1:07pm CST
My daughter starts school next year and I'm afraid for her. I read about kids getting expelled by the "zero tolerance" policy...a 5 year old got expelled for pinching a classmates butt! And what they expect them to learn now at such an early age! And I know there were bullies when we were in school, but it seems so much worse now. What do you think?
1 person likes this
4 responses
@sunshine4 (8703)
• United States
23 Apr 07
Don't worry. I am sure that your daughter will do fine. At the beginning of school they will review the rules with your daughter and her classmates. Our school system also sends them home for the parents to understand and review with their children. This way, everyone knows what behavior is acceptable and which is not. The kids do learn so much more at an early age. I remember Kindergarden being for socializing, not reading. The programs that the schools use are very effective in childhood learnings. Everyone has anxiety when their children start school. Your concerns are natural.
@ravinskye (8237)
• United States
23 Apr 07
thanks for your response. shes a smart girl so i'm not too worried about the school work, but shes kind of sensitive and i'm worried she would get bullied or picked on.
@sunshine4 (8703)
• United States
1 May 07
Thanks for marking me best response. I think that once your daughter gets in school and has her own group of friends, she will be fine.
@wmaharper (2316)
• United States
23 Apr 07
I think it's a big descision, whether to send your children to public, private or homeschool them, one that no one else can really make but you and the other parent. It is hard. I went to a great school growing up, and it was in a prodominently catholic commmunity, so most of the teachers were catholic/christian, and we agreed with most of thier conservative values. I loved public school, and it was pretty safe and stuck to our morals for the most part. Where we live now, has a great school system, and if we still live here when our boys are old enough, they will most likely attend public schools, or a private school if we feel it's neccesary. I think there will always be situations where our children will face bullies, whether at recess or the neighborhood park, it's how they deal with such situations that determines what kind of character they will develop as adults. We cannot and should not attempt to sheild them from any kind of exposure, because eventually they will be faced with it and be unequipped and unprepared. It's better they learn these life lessons while mom and dad are still there to guide them. Having said that, if we move, and we do not like the school system, either we find it to be inadequate or extremely liberal, we will homeschool or find a private school. Also, about the zero tolerance, I do think it is a little overboard, but then also, I know some parents are encouraging questionable behaviour in their 5 year olds, because they think it is funny. I am sure most schools are just overcompensating, b/c of the recent violence, (not just v.t. but the other school shootings in the last 5-10 years), and hopefully will soon find balance. It seems that most people will go to one extreme then the other, but eventually end up in the middle somewhere, where they belong. good topic by the way.
@ravinskye (8237)
• United States
23 Apr 07
Thanks for your response. I thought about home school, but I want her to have the school experiance...plus i don't think i would make a very good teacher :)
@usama46 (861)
• Pakistan
23 Apr 07
no i am not afraid to it is it not a bid task.
• Canada
3 May 07
omg the 5 year old kid is a perv. lol