Homeschoolers and conservative parents?

[BuzzandAriel'smom]

Thanks to all that posted. I really wanted to hear diverse opinions. I was working at my church this morning and talking to the ladies there and got some perspective also. I do realize that the kids most likely don't know what they are saying. I also see that keeping the lines of communication open and keeping my daughter's trust are the most important things here. I asked her if she would like me to talk to the councelor and she said that would be a good idea because she believes that if these kids knew it was wrong then they would stop, god bless her! I hope she is right! I think I will invite the little girl that is also in the middle of this over to our house this weekend. Her parents are divorced and she has some issues with acting out. I am hoping that she can get an idea of how our family works and maybe my dd and our family can be a positive influence.
My dd does not want to be homeschooled. She wants to go to school. I explained to her in the car this morning that I really think that the kids in her grade are acting like highschoolers and that I would be really sad if she missed out on the fun that she could be having as a first grader if she started acting like them. She said that she understood that and that she doesn't want to grow up too fast because she likes to play. That made me breathe a little easier and see that she really wants to make the right choice but she want everyone else too also. Don't we all!

Thanks to all of you compassionate parents for taking the time to ease my mind and give me your input.

 

[declansdad]

I agree with you husdand; you are over-reacting to nothing more than young children playing around. I don't think this is any reason to consider homeschooling or changing schools.

 

[brymolmom]

I think that kids will be exposed to that type of thing either now or tomorrow - and dealing with it and your dd talking to you about it is the best way to handle it. Not to run and hide from it, unless it gets way worse, IMO.

I am 36 years old - and it isn't that much different than when I was in school. I had a 'boyfriend' in kindergarten and even though I don't think I heard the words hot or sexy...I do remember hearing some words that I can't write here and discussing what they might mean. And, I went to a small, private, catholic school. There was no harm in the stuff I was exposed to - and if there's no harm in what your dd is exposed to - I think you're handling it great - talking to her about it and specifying what is appropriate in your house and your family. GREAT JOB!

Oh and just so you know - your kid will likely find out 'the truth' about Santa at school too. Again, no real harm done - just maybe not exactly what you'd have wanted.

 

[mom2princessj]

Thanks to all that posted. I really wanted to hear diverse opinions. I was working at my church this morning and talking to the ladies there and got some perspective also. I do realize that the kids most likely don't know what they are saying. I also see that keeping the lines of communication open and keeping my daughter's trust are the most important things here. I asked her if she would like me to talk to the councelor and she said that would be a good idea because she believes that if these kids knew it was wrong then they would stop, god bless her! I hope she is right! I think I will invite the little girl that is also in the middle of this over to our house this weekend. Her parents are divorced and she has some issues with acting out. I am hoping that she can get an idea of how our family works and maybe my dd and our family can be a positive influence.
My dd does not want to be homeschooled. She wants to go to school. I explained to her in the car this morning that I really think that the kids in her grade are acting like highschoolers and that I would be really sad if she missed out on the fun that she could be having as a first grader if she started acting like them. She said that she understood that and that she doesn't want to grow up too fast because she likes to play. That made me breathe a little easier and see that she really wants to make the right choice but she want everyone else too also. Don't we all!

Thanks to all of you compassionate parents for taking the time to ease my mind and give me your input.

Glad you were able to gain some perspective and talk with your dd. I do agree with a pp poster in that my opinion is to try and talk with your child and their teachers/admin/counselors etc before pulling the child out. I do feel there is a lot to be learned. I'm not for homeschooling either but to each their own. That's a personal decison best left up to the family and if it works for you fantastic. I am a sahm and wouldn't even dream of it. I think there is many lessons to be learned by children being taught away from the parents and it provides great independence. No flames though...its all about what is best for you and your child for me that's not best.
I agree though that what she was hearing was inappropriate. I wouldn't be happy with it either. Regarding the marriage comments though...my kids play like this in the house. My dd tells ds she is going to marry him and they dress up and so forth. We obviously explain to her she can't marry her brother but I do think this is just something kids that age go through and not meant as anything inappropriate. Sexy lol that's another story
Good luck OP!

 

[SLK1]

Apparently you wanted flames by stating such biased opinions. Are you saying that children who are homeschooled can't open a bag of chips? Or wait on a line? Or identify right from wrong? Seems you hold a very prejudiced opinion.

What ways of the world do children really learn in school? Many homeschooled children are atually out in the real world learning about the real world. They wait in lines at the grocery store, at the theater, at Disney World . My 5 year old can prepare her own lunch and make smart choices about what would consitute a healthy lunch. My 13 year old can set her own schedule for school and get it done, and she understands deadlines and how to study on her own without mommy whispering in her ear. When I was very sick, she even wrote up her own lesson plans and went ahead with her school week. She has also a job already.

Now, for the op. I would be ticked if my children were exposed to the teasing your daughter is being subjected to. It may not be a reason to homeschool, though. Talk to the teacher, the principal, the counselor. Get involved in the school. Try to get a bully education program started. We can't control other people's children, but we can try to teach them right from wrong. Just because your child may be exposed to worse in middle and high school, doesn't mean it is acceptable. No sort of teasing is acceptable.

I must have struck a nerve because I don't think my opinion is either biased or prejudiced. It's just an opinion. Ease up!

 

[BuzzandAriel'smom]

I emailed the councelor today and here is what she replied:

Thank you so much for bringing this to my attention! I have already spoken with Mrs. L***, and she did address the issue today. I would like to continue to investigate and see what else I can find out about the situation. I may chat with A*** in the process. I do want to let you know how proud we are of A*** for speaking up and reporting this issue to Mrs. L*** today. Many children are afraid to report things like this because they don't want to get other children in trouble, forgetting that sometimes reporting is necessary. Especially if they're feeling uncomfortable! A*** is learning how to take care of herself and be assertive! And it sounds like you have helped her develop a plan that helps her do just that! I'll do some more observing and detective work and let you know what else I find! Please keep me up to date with the goings on! Thanks again for trusting me with this information - I'll be contacting you again shortly!
Sincerely,


So I think this is a great start and genuine concern. The kids that said the not so nice words lied to the teacher today when she asked them about it. I didn't tell my dd that she needed to tell the teacher but she did it on her own. I'm very proud of her!

Thanks to all!

 

[Minnie_me]

I have to agree with a couple of the PPs about homeschooling and private schooling not being the surefire way to protect your kids.

We had two families leave our school a few years ago: one went to a private Catholic school, the other homeschooled. Both kids (a boy and a girl) became parents before they graduated. So much for protection!

I'm a FIRM believer in educating my children rather than shielding them.

I would tell your DD that the boy was just acting silly, and that "sexy" is a grownup word that means pretty, but it's not an appropriate word for children.

She will learn and hear all kinds of things along the way that may rattle your cage a bit. But none of them will scar her! As long as you remain rational and don't overreact, she'll be fine.

 

[Chelley00]

I emailed the councelor today and here is what she replied:

Thank you so much for bringing this to my attention! I have already spoken with Mrs. L***, and she did address the issue today. I would like to continue to investigate and see what else I can find out about the situation. I may chat with A*** in the process. I do want to let you know how proud we are of A*** for speaking up and reporting this issue to Mrs. L*** today. Many children are afraid to report things like this because they don't want to get other children in trouble, forgetting that sometimes reporting is necessary. Especially if they're feeling uncomfortable! A*** is learning how to take care of herself and be assertive! And it sounds like you have helped her develop a plan that helps her do just that! I'll do some more observing and detective work and let you know what else I find! Please keep me up to date with the goings on! Thanks again for trusting me with this information - I'll be contacting you again shortly!
Sincerely,


So I think this is a great start and genuine concern. The kids that said the not so nice words lied to the teacher today when she asked them about it. I didn't tell my dd that she needed to tell the teacher but she did it on her own. I'm very proud of her!

Thanks to all!

What a great response! You are very lucky to be in a school system that will handle situations like this.

 

[Ellester]

I emailed the councelor today and here is what she replied:

Thank you so much for bringing this to my attention! I have already spoken with Mrs. L***, and she did address the issue today. I would like to continue to investigate and see what else I can find out about the situation. I may chat with A*** in the process. I do want to let you know how proud we are of A*** for speaking up and reporting this issue to Mrs. L*** today. Many children are afraid to report things like this because they don't want to get other children in trouble, forgetting that sometimes reporting is necessary. Especially if they're feeling uncomfortable! A*** is learning how to take care of herself and be assertive! And it sounds like you have helped her develop a plan that helps her do just that! I'll do some more observing and detective work and let you know what else I find! Please keep me up to date with the goings on! Thanks again for trusting me with this information - I'll be contacting you again shortly!
Sincerely,


So I think this is a great start and genuine concern. The kids that said the not so nice words lied to the teacher today when she asked them about it. I didn't tell my dd that she needed to tell the teacher but she did it on her own. I'm very proud of her!

Thanks to all!

I'm so glad it sounds like they are taking the issue seriously. Good for your dd for reporting it to her teacher! You should be proud. Thanks for the update!

 

[Bama mom to 3]

I have a 7 year old son (he is my youngest) and I about died when he told me "C***** is hot!" Um, excuse me, I did not just ear that. I asked him what he said and what he meant by it. He told me again what he said and said it mean she was sexy. Again I asked him what that meant and he said it meant she was very pretty. I asked where he heard it (fully expecting him to say his 13 year old brother or one of his brother's friends) but he told me a girl told him that one day. Oh my goodness. I seriously wonder what these 6 and 7 year olds are subjected to (on tv or just hearing others say things). I had a talk with my son explaining when you are 7 years old it is not appropriate for him to talk like that about someone like that and I wanted him to understand I better not hear him or have someone tell me they heard him talking like that again.

It makes me sad knowing that I didn't have to worry about things like this when I was 7 and I hate that my 7 year old isn't able to be a child it seems because of what he is learning from other kids.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

It looks like the counselor responded appropriately and will address the situation with the boy involved. Hopefully this is an isolated incident with that child and not a widespread problem in the school. I would definitely keep close tabs on the situation. Chat with your daughter about her day when she gets home. It sounds like she's comfotable telling you things that happen at school and that's great. Also, it helps to chat with other parents at drop-off and pick-up time. There are a few parents in my son's school that I consider allies. We watch out for each other's kids and discuss things that we observed or heard about. I think these things go on in every school. I wouldn't pull my child out unless the school repeatedly mishandled the situations.

My 10 year old son told me something rather surprising last week. He is a 4th grader this year which means he got to sign up for safety patrol. They patrol the 2nd/3rd grade playground at lunch recess. They can give reminders about safety but are supposed to report major problems to an adult via their walkie-talkies. I asked my son if he had any major incidents during his shift last week. He said yes, a kid was running around grabbing other people's privacies (his word). I asked him what he did and he said he got on the walkie-talkie right away and told the advisor what was happening. The advisor and the principal both heard him and came running out to the grass right away. The offender was taken directly to the office. I'm glad they took the situation so seriously and handled it immediately. I also told my son I was proud of him for reporting it.