Ahh So Much on My Mind

     If you've read my blog I'm sure you know I live in Chicago and this year we just got a new mayor. No, I'm not going to make this a political post, but with a new mayor comes many changes. Some of those being made to our schools, if you are not form Chicago you may not know that Chicago Public Schools (CPS) cover a huge area, there are many under performing schools in our city, but also many great ones.
   I'm lucky we live in a good district and my children would actually attend a public Montessori which is pretty rare around here. I was very excited about this being a former Montessori teacher myself. Now, though they are going to add two weeks a year and 90 minutes a day to CPS and are not giving schools any extra money, while giving teachers a 45 minute lunch and 60 minute prep period. I think it is great teachers will have extra time to prep and eat that is much needed, but with no extra money I'm not sure who they will have watch the children, which is what worries me. They are going to have to hire people to do this and since there is no money they are going to have to let go teachers, which will increase class size.
    All in all I think it is just a wacky way to do things. Basically they are saying: Add 90 minutes to your school day and two weeks to the school year, you figure out what the kids will do with that extra time, and no we will not give you any extra money and teacher's can not have a raise, are you crazy? Figure it out for yourself we are just telling you have to do it.  So that means kids will go to school 7.5 hours a day and for 90 minutes of that day I'm not sure who will supervise them, plus I just think it is too long for a 5 year old. I don't think I'd be so worried if my kids were older or they had a good plan in place, but now I'm not sure if I will want to send my kids there and we can't afford private school.
     This has brought me to consider......homeschooling or they have CPS virtual school (which is mostly done from home, but meets one day a week). I never thought I would ever consider these options (my husband isn't crazy about the idea but said he would keep an open mind), but I don't want to send my children to a school I am not happy with especially for 7.5 hours everyday, that's almost a full work week. I need to research more about homeschooling because this is an option I never really thought of before. I would love to hear opinions: positive or negative about homeschooling.
     Luckily my oldest has one more year of preschool, so I am going to watch how the grammar schools new day unfolds and how things work out. I know I probably worry too much, but as a parent you want to do what's best for your child and I want to make sure I make the right decision.

School Decisions

     I bet it's safe to say as a parent when deciding on where you wanted to live schools were a big factor or if you are thinking of moving that is a deciding factor for your family. I think I told you how I've lived in our house for a long time, and while our neighborhood is great the public schools are not as nice. This is due to many factors.
     Growing up here I went to Catholic grammar school and high school, and while part of me would like to send our kids there as well, I'm not sure if it is realistic for us with three kids. I was an only child, so while I'm sure it was hard there was only me to worry about. Now when I look at the price of grammar school, and let alone high school for three kids I think I might faint. Today it costs about $4,000 for grammar school and $10,000 for high school times that by three and add inflation every year and most or all of one of our salary will be paying for school alone forget about other costs.  That's more then some colleges, which is just crazy to me.
     That's why I was so excited to hear the public school by us that offers a Montessori program is no longer going to be a lottery system. They are turning the whole K-5 program into Montessori and offering it to anyone who lives in district, which is huge because now I know he can go to a great public school instead of there just being a slight chance. We still debate about what we should do when we really move, because the public high schools around here are not an option and Catholic school by then for three kids will probably be $40,000. I love our neighborhood and would like to raise our family here, it is just unfortunate due to schools we may not be able to. I hope in the future there will be a good public high school here, but I'm not sure that will really happen. Any other moms have this dilemma or decide to homeschool for similar reasons? All the things you never thought of before kids, it's crazy.

Preschool Dilemma

  Liam has been in preschool for almost 2 months now. He seems to like it for the most part and never really complains about going. We send him to the local public preschool that I heard great things about. I don't have any complaints about it really. He seems happy, he doesn't really tell me much about it, but I know that's normal.
     I guess I'm just feeling some regret, because we did have he signed up for a Montessori school I used to teach at and I really wanted him to go there. My husband and I went back and forth about it for months. Should we or shouldn't we? Finally we decided on the public school, mainly for financial reasons. The Montessori school costs $380 a month and we might end up having to pay for grammar school, so we decided to save money now. We probably could have afforded it, it just would have been hard and we would of had to make cut backs and maybe I would of had to find a part time job. I'm not really sure how things would of worked out. Then I was thinking of my younger kids and would we be able to afford it for them especially since Declan and Rory will be in preschool at the same time. That would be $800 a month.
     I have a couple of friends that are sending their kids to the Montessori school and I just feel bad because I know all the great things they do there. I feel like maybe if he went there he would end up learning more, and he is a really bright kid (really he is I'm not just saying it because he's my son). I want him to feel challenged and I know it's only preschool, but I love Montessori and think it would have been a great fit for his personality. So, now I'm wondering if we should have just payed the extra money and sent him there. Now they are full and I wouldn't want to pull him out of his preschool anyways, but I'm just feeling a bit of regret and guilt.  Its seems like that is always a part of parenting wondering if you made the right choice and feeling bad that maybe you didn't. If I sent to the Montessori school I may be wishing I didn't if it was too hard financially. Ahhh...the neverending mom guilt, I'm sure there will be more to come soon.....

Liam's First Day of School

   
 



     Liam started preschool last Monday.  The first two days were just an hour and I stayed with him. Wednesday was his first full day all alone, he did great I knew he would he's never had any separation issues. He's usually the one darting in the room and not even looking back to see if I'm still there.  I was a little sad though, I know it's only 2.5 hours for four days a week, but he'll never be home with me again all the time.  I feel like it's just the start of him becoming a more independent little guy with his own life. Of course all these things are great for him, though I can't help but be a little sad that he's growing up.  I don't know where these last 3 years went.  It makes me realize that I need to slow down and enjoy their childhood more. All I know is I miss this little guy when he's gone.