Educating the mighty

I finally did it. I've finally had enough stress over helping my 5th grader and 2nd grader with hours of homework each night that I switched schools. Extreme? Maybe. Necessary? Definitely. Now they get to wear uniforms and since it's a charter school, I feel my voice regarding the importance of play time might be heard.

When I was in grade school, I don't remember having a lick of homework. It wasn't until junior high that we actually had real bring-home stuff. Now, maybe I'm not the smartest kid on the block, but I think I turned out ok. I'm not all hopped up about raising geniuses, either. I rather think self confidence and an relatively anxiety-free childhood is important. I mean, when your kid starts saying borderline suicidal things, it's time to sit up and pay attention, don't you think?

I was speaking with a dear friend last night who made such an astute comment about the rearing of today's kids. She said that when she was in school, the were able to use reports from the encyclopedia for their work. Now, she says, there is such a panic over plagiarism (we're talking about grade schoolers here, keep in mind), that the kids only have their own minds to learn from. Hmmm. Learn how to do a report from reading and using professional reports, or learn how to do a report by muddling through with your undeveloped, anxiety-ridden, fifth grade mentality? Which do you think would be more effective? Plagiarism indeed.

Wish my children luck. They're going to need it, I fear. I guess the good news in all of this is that they would have been ready for high school right out of sixth grade and could skip junior high altogether. And we all know how wonderful it would be if we could have all skipped that part of our lives. ;)

I see London, I see France...

It's officially October, which means that in just over three weeks I am heading to lovely London to visit my sister. The day after I arrive, we will all (her family and me) traipse over to Paris for three days, then back to London for an additional seven. I'm so excited my co-workers can hardly stand me.

The hardest part about it has been trying to remember all the advice I've been getting on how to dress, what to visit, where to go, what to bring, etc. It's not like I'll be in outer Mongolia or anything, but it does cost twice as much for everything there. I'd prefer not to forget anything. I even offered to bring my sister some peanut butter!

Aside from all that commotion, I got an email from Lennon's teacher today saying that he's having a hard time focusing in class and completing his assignments. Sigh. That's all I can really say about that. Unless I were to add, "here we go again..."

My 20-year HS reunion is next week. I've opted not to go, but it's been fun hearing from some old classmates. Our reunion planners actually set up a site that provides email address for free, not like that spawn of satan web site classmates.com, which started out free but now makes you pay to view your own profile. Not literally, but it seems like it. Disgusting.

I've talked to Stephanie, Chad, Chad (no typo-- two Chads), Mike, and Mary Alice, plus others. What a great time catching up with them.

I've also almost completed my Level One certification for yoga instruction. I've completed the training, but now I have 8 hours community service, teaching for free, that I have to finish. Should be a hoot-- last week I showed up and had to do yoga all by myself. It's nice to know you're loved! ;)