Nothing But The Best

All mommies want nothing but the best for their children. We don't want them to suffer, we want them to be brilliant, well-liked, and grow into wonderful human beings. To give them the world on a platter, even if we're not able.

I've been looking into Montessori schools lately. I'm not happy with the way the public school system works, especially since the introduction of "No Child Left Behind." I never believed standardized tests were an indicator of the intelligence of a person, so the new increased emphasis on them (and the transition to essentially teaching the test) leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I used to want to homeschool, but we can't afford to have me stay home. Besides, we all know how well I've done lately with being home all the time - I'm just not cut out to be a SAHM. So that leaves private schools.

I had heard the term "Montessori" many times in the past, but never really understood the philosophy. Even now, I'm only just starting to understand it. But I do like the emphasis on child-led learning, that the child is allowed to explore and learn at his own pace and the teacher is more of a guide than THE authority figure, doling out the rules and punishments.

Fortunately, there are a few Montessori schools in the area. And I'm finding that the tuition isn't that much more than what we pay for daycare anyway, even including the before and after school care. Brian is sort of on board. He's known about my dissatisfaction with the public school system since we met over ten years ago. But it's a money issue. $20 more per week doesn't seem like much right now, but we were originally planning on TTC again this summer. Another baby means less money... And less money means less opportunities.

That's the hardest part for me. I was the eldest of 4 in my family, and each of us is 4 years apart from the next. I saw the impact each child had on the family's finances, as well as the opportunities for each of us. And it's something that is on my mind frequently now that I'm a mommy and considering having another. On the one hand, if we give her a sibling soon, she won't know the difference. Won't know what she's missing out on (unlike my experience). On the other hand, I don't want to give up those opportunities. I want her to have the best, especially when it comes to education. Because in the end, that's all you have that no one can take away from you.

The school that I'm researching starts the students at 18 months for the first cycle (Montessori teaching is in 3 year cycles). Which means, I have to make a decision soon if I want her to go because she would have to start in the fall when the new school year begins. And if we start her, we'd be commiting to a full cycle (which in her case, would be until 3 years of age for the first cycle).

What to do?

In other news, I'm feeling a little better emotionally right now. Brian took over and watched Margaret all day while I rested. My sinus infection took a turn for the worse and I spent most of the day in bed with a debilitating headache and feeling sick to my stomach. But the rest did me some good (although it has thrown my sleep schedule off, if you couldn't tell by the posting time). I'm feeling a little more like me again. :)