from waldorf/homeschool to public school

[muse]

ds was in waldorf preschool, and we have been hs-ing with enki education for the past year. it's been a struggle financially, socially and in other ways and this week we finally decided it looks like we need to have him in school next yr.
after looking at the waldorf school ds actually preferred the local public school (much closer, and he was excited about reading and writing). In many ways I feel like that is the right decision but, it's heartbreaking, too. I can't imagine life without waldorf/enki or life without hs-ing..has anyone gone through this transition?

[lauren]

I haven't gone through this but just wanted to send you a for going through a tough transition. Perhaps you might think about the parts of enki/waldorf that helped feed your soul as you taught, and find alternatives to replace these experiences.

[muse]

Thanks, Lauren. It's certainly a very emotional decision. I do hope to be able to keep the festivals, stories and crafts a part of our lives, but i'm just not sure how realistic that is.

Last night ds said, "I'm excited about the new school because I'm curious about different kinds of schools. And the next year, when I'm 7, I'll go to a school where I learn to knit on needles".

I just hope I can keep that part of him alive, against social/peer pressure. The part that wants to run and pick flowers and knit and paint his room purple and pink and that believes in fairies and has pretty much no clue about media/superheroes/certain kinds of toys....

And to keep our family rhythms and space/time somehwat intact.

Ironically we decided on public school partly because it seems to impinge the *least* on our time and finances. No co-op hrs required, no huge commute, earlier finish time (1.20), nobody dictating what our lifestyle should be, and of course it's free. I also feel like, even with it's downsides, it was the only school where I could talk comfortably to the teachers/principal if an issue comes up.

I'm struggling mainly with the social aspect, the media/commercial aspect (though so far it didn't seem very present in this particular school), and well....all the change...letting go of my "ideals" about education....ah, so hard...

[lauren]

We have never been a Walforf family and have always used public schools. WE didn't really have choices around here and homeschooling was never a viable option economically (we both work). I wanted to share that our older children are both very uninfluenced at this point (3rd and 6th grade) by typical media fare because we have always talked very openly about it. They watch a good bit of TV, participate in some gaming, and computer stuff. We have always talked a lot about how commercialism tries to 'take people in,' including them. Both of them have become very saavy about spotting commercialism. This is true even though we let them go through their Spiderman, Barbie, Dora, Blues Clues obsessions when they were littler. Both of them have very independent heads on their shoulders. My oldest, in sixth grade, loves that he is different and that he is "into" things that no one else is, both musically and activity wise. He still has a great spark and happily marches to a different drummer. My dd also is her own person. I just wanted to let you know that I think it is possible to go through public school and come out "intact" in many ways, because what goes on at home is the most important.

We will see what middle school brings next year, but I have a lot of confidence!

I think if you are getting home about 1:30 that leaves you lots of time for your own good rhythms and routines. YOu can come home and have tea, take walks, etc. If you think the school is that approachable also, I think you will feel involved.

I hope it works for you!

[kangaroo_mom]

Hugs mama!

We are in this situation right now, trying to decide whether to keep with the Waldorf homeschooling or do public school. My sanity can't really handle full-time homeschooling with three little ones. Oldest DD is very very demanding and hyper. She is a full time job just by herself. I need time with my other ones and I am returning to school so I feel for you! I like the idea of tea time after school and doing morning rythms together before school. Maybe we will do that too. Best of luck to you. It is hard.

[muse]

kangaroo_mom, nice to know I'm not alone.Maybe we can support each other through this journey; i'd love to hear how it works for you.

The morning part stresses me out; we have slow mornings here, long breakfasts, then the kids have a morning walk with dh before our circle time. In PS ds will need to be out of the house by 7.45 and into the car. At school by 8am, and they're strict about it. Bleh. The only thing I can imagine is driving half way and doing the walk on the way to school, singing some of our verses and songs.

When i've talked to friends about keeping the rhythms in the p.m. I've been told that kids come home completely exhausted and aren't open to much at all. Even kids in the waldorf school. I can imagine that.

[Mirzam]

Originally Posted by muse

I've been told that kids come home completely exhausted and aren't open to much at all. Even kids in the waldorf school. I can imagine that.

This really isn't the case in my experience, my kids seem to have boundless energy after school. DD only goes to school part-time -- three days a week at a democratic school and I home school her the other two days, DS goes to a contemplative elementary school which used both Waldorf and Montessori teaching methods. He flies out of school every day to play soccer on the field with his friends, it is difficult to get him out of there. They both have activities after school two or three days a week as well. No homework though!

I think once you get into the new rhythm you will be fine I am sure. It is going to be quite a transition for all of you.

[muse]

uccomama,your kids' schools sound ideal! do you mind me asking where you are?

i think here ps kids are exhausted because they're being pushed so early on and they get so little free time, even in kindergarten.recess is 15 minutes long. and class sizes; ds would be in a class with 20+ kids and is a sensitive kid; i know he'll be overwhelmed by it all. he was overwhelmed in his waldorf preschool and came home exhausted and cranky.

I talked to a mom today who had her dd in waldorf preschool and then ps kindergarten and felt that the ps experience undid so much of what had been established in the early years. so she pulled her out and is waldorf hs-ing.

I'm having serious second thoughts...

[Mirzam]

Muse, I am in Boulder, CO. My DD goes to The Living School and DS goes to Eastern Sun Academy.

[Alohamelly]

My daughter did 4 years at a Waldorf which we *loved*. We moved when she was in 2nd grade though, otherwise she'd still be there. Not living very close to another Waldorf, I homeschooled for the rest of 2nd grade and it was *okay* but I didn't have the discipline for it. I was scared to put her in public school, but it has worked out well. She's had excellent teachers the last 2 years and for that, I'm grateful. I think it's made the whole experience worthwhile and all my worrying was for nothing.

[lauren]

Originally Posted by muse

When i've talked to friends about keeping the rhythms in the p.m. I've been told that kids come home completely exhausted and aren't open to much at all. Even kids in the waldorf school. I can imagine that.

This is not the case with my kids at all. Though I must say, the kindergarten year was hard on both of them. I think it is just the adjustment to full day,not necessarily ps vs private school. At this time there is plenty of energy after school....sometimes too much bcause of not getting enough outside time (they have 30 minutes for recess).

[dramamama]

Muse,
It sounds like you are being very thoughtful in this process. I am a Waldorf preschool teacher, and my son is about to enter Waldorf K. I would say that Kindergarten is a crucial year for establishing the tone of a child's educational experience, and if there's any way you can do it a little longer, it might be a good thing. The impact on your time and finances is really important to consider, however. Sometimes it seems like the most Waldorf thing to do is to find the thing that supports your family the best, because ultimately that is what holds your child.
Good luck mama.

[muse]

Originally Posted by uccomama

Muse, I am in Boulder, CO. My DD goes to The Living School and DS goes to Eastern Sun Academy.

aaaahh, the Eastern Sun Aacdemy is my *dream school*
I keep visualising something similar out here.

Thanks everyone for all these different views & experiences, they are all so helpful for me to hear.

dramamama, i agree about the kindergarten year. The odd thing for us is we're "off" a year because we were in the UK where the timing is different. so essentially he's already had 3 yrs of kindergarten in waldorf/enki, including our year at home (which is one reason i don't think waldorf K would work this year; I think he'd be restless and needing more).

I do feel like he's got a good foundation from his early years and that if PS doesn't feel right to him he has a sense of there being a "different way". Waldorf/Enki and homeschooling (and reading a lot of John Holt!) have also given me a large enough view of education and child development that i think i will know what to be on the lookout for if things aren't working.

I realise I sound soooo negative about ps. I need to shift my thinking a little, I think. After spring break I'm going to go back there without ds and get a better sense of the approach to academics; so far we've only visited on unusual days (post field trips, pre christmas, etc).

[Mirzam]

Originally Posted by muse

aaaahh, the Eastern Sun Aacdemy is my *dream school*
I keep visualising something similar out here.

I could well happen. ESA is working with the Garrison Institute (http://www.garrisoninstitute.org/home.php) to come up with a model for comtemplative elementary schools. You could always move to Boulder, though. I know of a group of moms that are in the process of setting up an Enki homeschool group.