| I toy with the idea of homeschooling from time | | | | do worry about her sensitivity being annihilated |
| to time. I'm ambivalent about it at best. I have | | | | over time. Or, just as bad see her become one |
| mixed feelings because of my own homeschooling | | | | of the bullies so akin to the ones who tortured |
| experiences - and I wonder how much of it is to | | | | me years ago. |
| do with my desire to protect Riley from | | | | But I'm getting ahead of myself, none of those |
| EVERYTHING. Oh don't mind my neurotic self, she | | | | things happen overnight or without our input or |
| doesn't get that absolute protection isn't desirable | | | | influence. But still my fears hang out there |
| or even possible. | | | | anyway. Nonetheless, I seriously doubt my ability |
| I can definitely understand some of the benefits | | | | to fulfill the role of educator as well as parent. It |
| of homeschooling, particularly in terms of all the | | | | blends boundaries that I don't really want blended. |
| wasted time that traditional schooling entails. And | | | | There's a reason teachers go to university. I'd be |
| even beyond that, the traditional school | | | | pretty arrogant if I thought I could do as good a |
| environment is not suited to everyone, is inside | | | | job by just winging it. |
| and more dogmatic than experiential. But I also | | | | Every now and then it's a romantic notion. The |
| see it's limitations. And mine. | | | | idea that the majority of education could happen |
| The idea of giving up hours of potential free time | | | | outside four walls. In the kitchen, in the great |
| while the munchkin is at school? Not so hot. And I | | | | outdoors, completely tailored to what her needs |
| can't help but think I'd be doing her a disservice on | | | | are - not just the majority. A just as romantic |
| a social level. Not necessarily in terms of social | | | | notion is that in her education journey she might |
| skills, but in terms of ability to deal with social | | | | come across some teachers that truly inspire her. |
| norms. Like it or not, bullying is a part of | | | | Not everything in my school experience was |
| everyday life, not just in school. But what's worse | | | | tainted with negativity. Along the way I did come |
| - a nurturing and challenging environment that | | | | across a couple of teachers who changed the |
| leaves her ill prepared for the real world? Or a | | | | course of my life through their passion and |
| slow, steady desensitisation to human cruelty? I | | | | dedication. And that's nothing to be sneezed at. |