mama's I'm sad

[Blooming]

My wonderful little guy is not happy in school, He has been lableled an average to above average student. But he keeps complaining he's bored. He used to love learning at his Reggio preschool now I rarley see him excited about school and he crys at the blink of an eye.

He is not thriving.

We are so poor right now I never intended him to go to public school but here we are. I don't know what to do.

Should I sell everything not nailed down to send him to private school?
Is this just a phase?

My heart is breaking. This is so not what I wanted for my children. I feel as if I'm going against everything I beleive in because we are not in a good financial space.

Sigh, am I making a bigger deal out of this then I need to be? Will he get over it the way my husband seems to beleive he will?

[USAmma]

Are there any charter schools in your area? My dd is going to one and it's so much better than the public school down the street for her needs right now.

Have you considered homeschooling?

[sarasprings]

If private is your only option, I'd do it. Maybe it only has to be for this year. 6 hours is such a big part of a child's day that I would hate for someone to be miserable for it. Plus, it spills over to the rest of the day and into self-esteem.

[kathymuggle]

Is he crying just over being bored??? It seems unlikely. I think something else is may be going on at school - mean kids, teachers, ect.

If it were a little earlier in the school year, I would say he was having a tough time transitioning, but it is almost December.

kathy

[Mothra]

I think it's possible something else is going on, too. I don't think most kids would cry over being bored if they are otherwise happy with their teachers and peers. Have you asked if anything else is wrong? Sometimes you have to pry, ask leading questions to see what is going on.

[Redifer]

I cried daily from being bored... it bothered me.

Some public schools offer programs targeted to kids who are "bored"... either after school or during certain times in his school day.

Try to get him to talk to you more. Why exactly is he bored, and with what? Is he bored in a specific subject, is he bored because his teacher is a lecturer, is he bored because he has to sit still all day? If you find out exactly what is boring him, it's easier to resolve the issue.

[Lia M]

Listen to him! Help him talk about what is wrong! Public school can be really horrible! Home teaching a 5 year old is very easy. I have done it with my mom's help with 4 kids. Nothing to it! If you want suggestions I am here.
Lia

[Liz]

By all means, talk to him but also talk to his teacher. My ds went through a crying phase in junior kindergarten and I just put it to the teacher, "He cries every day and says he does not want to go to school. Why do you think he doesn't want to go to school?" Between the two of us we figured it out and he hasn't cried since (he's in grade 1).

[inkedmamajama]

what sorts of things do yuo do to supplement his education at home? public school is not an academic death sentence, but too often people leave out the at home supplementing. we do little art projects(with simple white paper, colored pencils and tape) at home, i recruit the girls to help in recipes(measuring and stuff) and we play computer games, and read lots of science books...if i didnt do this stuff im sure my daughter would be bored as well. and im a unmarried, poor mom on welfare and pregnant on bed rest. i say that jsut so you dont think im a rich sahm that has a ton of money and family to supplement these things.

if you are doing this sort of stuff with him already, then perhaps you could talk to his teacher and school counselor to see if they have noticed a certain problem or issue...

good luck

[LindaCl]

Is it possible to visit the classroom to get a better sense yourself what it's like there? Some classrooms are genuinely boring, and a huge waste of time. Sometimes children just claim something is "boring" because they don't know what else to call what's bugging them, or maybe they don't quite know themselves. He's obviously not happy, but it sounds like you might need more information to determine exactly why.

And I too recommend exploring what charter schools or magnet schools you might have available. I'd recommend that route before committing to a giant financial sacrifice.

[bobandjess99]

I don't know your situation...is homeschooling not something you want todo? If not, i suppose private school *could* be better.......how about trying to work with the PS? like getting him put in a dif class or maybe even skipping a grade?
If he's only 5, I'm guessing thet he doesnt *have* to actually go to school yet, right?
Perhaps just keep him home?

[Blooming]

Well, after much time and talk he exploded with a list of the reasons he does not want to go to school:

1. They teach boring (he comes grom five years of Reggio part time preschool) He's bringing home lots of cut and paste, writing over and over again. I dropped him off late recently all the kids were at the tables writing. You could hear a pin drop it was so quite in there. No laughter no smiles.

2. At choice time there are not enough toys and only two children are allowed to play together at a time.

3. So Here's the biggie that came out this morning-At morning recess he is being kicked and pushed by another child this has been going on for some time and I did not know.

He's starting to say things like. I'm stupid, Everybody hates me. This was so not my child months ago. He begs to stay home with me but I can't teach him, I'm chroniically ill.

We do supplement at home I was one of his reggio teachers and I went to school for early childhood education. Like now ds and dh are making a movie using ds's own drawings. Ds and I bake together, read, tell stories, make art projects, we try to get outside when it is not freezing.

I wrote a lettter to his teacher today about the bullying. I'm going to start being in the classroom at least twicw a month. I don't know what else to do. He is my baby and I know he is not getting the best education he can get. It feels to me that until we are well off my children won't be able to get a good education.

[mamaofthree]

Most areas have charter schools (I know someone mentioned that) have you looked into that? Sometimes you have to do alot of research as some are better than others. But that is a good option when you don't have the money for private school and don't want to or can't homeschool.
Also some private schools offer scholarships. Maybe you can get one of those.
I am sorry your little one is having such a bad time.
Is it possible for you or dh to be a room parent occationally? Like once a month or so? That way you could see what is going on thru the day. Maybe a change in teachers would be in order?

H

[mommy68]

Have you atleast checked with any of the private schools in your area to see if they enroll children who need financial assistance? They do this at most of the private schools in our town. It's worth a try!!

I've found that the charter schools are just as bad as the public schools in our city. The same kids are pushed over there by parents that want them out of public school so it's no different because it's free.

Lastly, is it possible for you to homeschool??

[Liz]

Talk to his teacher! At any school, whether it's public, private or charter, you have to get involved. You can't just throw up your hands and blame it on public education.