private school, money, neighbors, and co-workers - Page 2

[aslyn]

Linda on the move

Although I do not know you personaly, I will say this in all the time I have lurked here, posted here and stressed out over my own issues on these forums never once have you come off as an "elitist". You have provided support and encouragement to many on this board (myself included) and choosing to send your kids to private school vs public is what is right for your family. From everything I have read their school sounds way cool. It really shouldn't matter to anyone else if you send them to public or private.

We live in a area with a very good district, and alot of people still send their kids to private. We don't differentiate in our area who goes where..the kids in the private school still take part in the community and our public schools work with the private for things like sports,transportation, community events, tutoring etc..Those who can donate money and time to bring our community together as a whole and nobody is ever left out because of where they go to school or their financial status..Honestly I think around here anyhow people could care less where the kids go to school as long as they are showing our city in a positive light.

[lach]

I'm significantly poorer than most of the people in my neighborhood, and we sent DD to a private school. We make considerable sacrifices for it, and usually the second week of each paycheck our bank balance is in the 2 digits: we can't even afford more food or gas unless there's a real emergency. But we're happy to sacrifice to get her what we feel is the most appropriate education for her.

I would be really surprised if anyone I knew actually gave much thought to how much we're spending or about our financial situation at all. I'm not one of those "anyone who judges anyone else is evil and I never judge anyone ever!" types, because I think that judgment is normal and I judge plenty of things. Ridiculous houses, clothes, cars, sure. But education? I can't think of a situation where I would judge someone for spending any amount of money on educating their child. Anyone who does has some real priority issues, IMO.

[Needle in the Hay]

Originally Posted by Linda on the move

I do feel very blessed financially. We have other struggles in life (one of my kids has special needs, we don't have extended family, etc) but money is something that is an issue for so many people and thankful, it is one thing that is easy for us. I'm really grateful to be able to give my children what I feel is best for them for right now.

And don't forget, Linda, how much your husband's job has required your family to move (around once a year or so, right?). A lot of people wouldn't be OK with that, even if it meant less money-making potential. I do understand why you'd prefer the information wasn't out there though, making it too easy for people to know more of your financial business than you'd like.
I'm glad to hear your girls are happy with their new school!

[amma_mama]

Let other people think what they want and take refuge in the knowledge that you considered the options and chose what was best for your family and priortized as you saw fit. What is right for one family may not be right for another in terms of priorities.

I am in the opposite situation. I work in an enviroment where a lot of my co-workers send their kids to private school in an area with good public schools (IMO), while we are doing public school. We could afford private, if we wanted to go that route, so I feel particularly thankful that we actually have a choice to make in the matter. To each their own - we all have different beliefs and priorities for our families.

[Linda on the move]

Originally Posted by aslyn

You have provided support and encouragement to many on this board (myself included) and choosing to send your kids to private school vs public is what is right for your family. From everything I have read their school sounds way cool.

Thank you!

I feel less weird about it now than I did when I started the thread, and I really appreciate everyone's comments. I guess I just needed to talk about it.

I wasn't feeling like I was being judged, just that I had a lack of privacy about our finances. My kids' school is very cool, and I guess that lack of privacy is part of the costs of the providing them with this opportunity.

[cchrissyy]

Love the comments so far, and I agree that even though the tutition is publically shown, in reality, everybody is too busy to go check your kid's school's site hunting for the admissions and fees page. Even the curious folks probably never actually get around to checking, lol : )