You know I just don't remember school being so stressful when I was a kid. As a student, I went to classes, did my homework, studied for tests, hung out with friends, and was upset when I missed a day.
As a parent, I dread when one of my kids shoves a note in my face. If it isn't a permission slip that requires funds for a field trip then it's always a request for something involving money (book orders, fundraisers, recycling items class party money...etc), volunteering, or notes about school supplies. Frankly, I'm tired of getting things that require a less than 24-hour turnaround response.
Parents need more time than that. I wish schools would realize that. As a single parent of two children, I feel overworked and have to constantly stay on top of everything: kids' music, sports, church schedules, and mine.
And my biggest concern is where are my tax dollars going? When I get the list of required materials for the next school year, I cringe. Teachers are being too picky and demanding. I had one teacher request that parents buy a certain type of pencil for "environmental reasons." The pencils were more expensive. My kids nagged me about what their particular teacher wanted. I didn't appreciate that.
Buying school clothes for two is expensive enough. Now I have to buy tissues, anti-bacterial stuff, erasers, folders, paper...etc. It makes me wonder, why? When I was younger, my parents didn't pay for that stuff. That was part of the reason for paying school taxes. I remember little machines in the school where you could buy a pencil for a nickel and notebook paper for twenty-five cents.
This nickel and diming is a big headache for parents with more than one child. It's close to the end of the year and I have already had to shell out money for an end-of-the year field trips, dresses for upcoming concerts, school lunches, music equipment and lessons and sports equipment. I want my children to have a well-rounded school experience. I now wonder what the final price tag on that will be?
Posted By: Marsha Jones
Thursday, April 29th 2010 at 9:51AM
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