Me vs. the public school evangelist
I’m not kidding. A ten year old boy preached his school to me.
It happened as I drove my car full, plus one more, home from Vacation Bible School. One of Peter’s friends from church invited for an afternoon of Lego’s and computer games. Out of the blue, this boy’s voice came from the back seat.
“You should send Peter to public school, then he would get to play with me at recess.”
Uh. I didn’t know what to say. Amazing, I know, but I was surprised he would be brazen enough to tell a grown-up what to do.
He continued on about the things he likes about his school, and of course it’s all those silly things a ten-year-old boy loves. Like seeing your buddies in the hall and eating in the lunch room. Finally he gave one last effort to convince me, to win me over to the converted.
“School is so much better than home schooling.”
Oh, really?
I know from past experiences that if I turn my head away from watching the road I tend to crash into things (remind me to share those two stories sometime), so I didn’t turn around to give the kid a dirty look.
And how I wanted to do just that.
Evil Monica really wanted to say some not-so-nice things. Evil Monica likes to defend herself, even against a little boy who doesn’t know any different than what he’s been taught. Good Monica decided that wouldn’t be very Christ-like, and since the boy is the pastor’s grandson, and he might possibly repeat the conversation, I kept my obnoxious reply to myself.
See? I am definitely improving at biting my tongue.
As a result of that conversation with School Preacher Kid, I’ve been thinking a lot lately about our church and it’s lack of other home schooling families. The only other home school family at our church has two teen boys, and the other family, also with older kids, are going to Christian school next month.
So as it stands right now, we are the only home schooling family with young children in our fellowship.
Any nice home school families with kids aged 10 to 3 out there willing to uproot and move to Jersey? We’re a super easy state when it comes to home schooling, I promise.
I love my church, our pastor and his wife are like family, but if I could change one thing about it, this would be my wish - more home schoolers. More kids for my kids to relate to and be friends with, know what I mean?
Yeah, I think you do.
Tags: boys, home schooling
8.19.08 at 4:16 pm
Sally comments:
Some children go to public schools, some private schools, some charter schools, and some homeschool. It’s natural to think that yours is the best. It’s the a new version of the old game of “My dad’s bigger than your dad.”
Try to not let it bother you.
Sallys last blog post..Tropical Storm Fay & Bloggy Giveaways
8.19.08 at 5:04 pm
Monica Brand comments:
Oh, of course he thinks it’s the best, I’m just not too keen on him pestering me to put my kids where he goes. Very rude, IMHO. When I was a kid, I never would have told an adult what to do. Maybe that’s what bothers me the most, his disrespect.
8.19.08 at 10:42 pm
Tara R comments:
well you know how those pk’s are… I’m sure it also applies to grand pk’s.:)
Just kidding. I hope.
Oh I really hope my three kids don’t say stuff like that to people!!!
Tara Rs last blog post..Noodleboro
8.20.08 at 1:38 am
Elizabeth Channel comments:
Yes, we have a sweet 8-year-old neighbor who sounds like your friend. I do feel for you, however, in being one of the only homeschooling families in your church. That is rough.
I’m enjoying your blog. Glad I found you!
Elizabeth Channels last blog post..It’s No Cheap, Showy Trinket
8.20.08 at 1:39 pm
Heather comments:
Girl, we don’t have kids, but I’ve been trying to move back to Jersey for years now.
Oh, how I miss Jersey.
Heathers last blog post..Book Thoughts–Stone Crossings by L.L. Barkat
8.20.08 at 2:34 pm
Monica Brand comments:
Heather Anne, you would be most welcome to move any where near me. I’d even lend you my kids “for practice”.
8.21.08 at 12:46 pm
casual friday everyday comments:
Every single person I’ve talked to who went to public school and want to defend their way of schooling have ALWAYS brought up the social aspects of school. NEVER have I heard one person talk about the educational aspect of school. However, when I talk to homeschooled kids (I was one of them) it was about the learning, the field trips…etc. Isn’t school supposed to be about learning?!
Nell
casual friday everydays last blog post..He’s Getting Ready
9.17.08 at 10:24 pm
Rose comments:
Wow! I’m so proud of you! I’m not so sure I would have been able to shut the Evil Rose up, myself so I commend you in your Christian walk!
That’s my only thing with our church too… no homeschooling families! I’m the only one with an 8 yr old homeschool boy… so guess what? I took him out of the children’s church. Why should I have in a class room for more than 2 hrs filled with a bunch of public schoolers ages 6-12 yrs? That’s why he’s HOME SCHOOLED!
*Hugs to you my dear*
Roses last blog post..My first 12secondstv post! =)