I saw that commercial and another similiar one with the parents by the bus stop and it saddened me also. Jackie, I think you are right on the money about Kathy's situation. JLee, I love that comeback, can I borrow it? That would leave them speechless, it's great! I did also find last year both things- that I could have used some downtime once in awhile, and also that I enjoyed everyone else being back in school so places were much quieter.
Everyone needs down time-even people without kids. I just can't believe that many parents need 6-7 hours per day/5 days per week.
I started school early this year for two reasons. one - because I can. two - because quite frankly my kids were driving me crazy. ok, so I don't get "rid" of them with homeschool, but they are much more willing to follow the rules. No tv or gameboys or computer (non-educational) before you are done with your work. I was tired of telling them to turn off one thing and next thing I know they were downstairs playing the wii, or the tv was turned off and they are watching cartoon network in the office on the computer. ugh. So I get it, but it is different.
The only reason I can think of that parents would feel happy that their kids would be going back to school would be the extra cost of daycare over the summer. Other than that - my kids don't drive me crazy, granted they are big now, but I really don't ever remember them driving me crazy enough to wish they were somewhere else, even when they were young.
While my Kevin was in school, I'd cry the 1st day. I'd cry the last day cause I got used to all the free time, then I'd get so used to him being home that I'd cry that 1st day! Kids do need to be separate from their parents for a time. I think it's healthy for them and the parents. My Jeannie's going to camp next week, and I will cherish those hours between 9 and 3, cause I have things to do.
I think the commercial is funny too. I think like some of others have said that it is sad to see so many people not want to be around their kids. Which is most people who question hs say something along the lines of "how can you be around your kids that long" My dad always says that if you don't like being around your kids how can you expect anybody else to like being around them. I also have been counting down the days until ps starts. I love going to the park, zoo's etc when others are in school. We are going to have a Not back to school vacation at the beach the week school starts. LOL
I totally understand! I felt the same way. We had a very boring summer due to limited funds, a broken-down second car, and me on modified bedrest due to my pregnancy. I was more than ready to get back into a more scheduled routine, and tired of the boys having so much screen time. I also agree with whoever it was who said they understand needing downtime, but not six hours a day five days a week. And the one who's dad said if you don't want to be around your kids, who else will? That is SO true!
I like the summer break because I don't have to plan anything anymore! Other than next year haha! I like that I can play on the computer, and enjoy the gardening, and read a good book with out thinking about if someone will need me to help them with a problem or if I need to read a history or science lesson, or if I am going to be late for co op... I think summer is a wonderful time o fyear to really take a rests.. rejuvinate and regain the excitement to go another year of homeschool! Yeah!
You know, the best happy medium for me would be a part time school that I could send my kids to for enrichment, and not have to go myself. I often wish I had more time to myself, but 5 full days a week is WAY too much time. If I could get two afternoons a week and my kids could go be with other homeschooled kids and do fun things like Art and P.E. that would be awesome for all of us! We've found coops that offer twice a month classes, but require parental participation. I've done it, but it doesn't fill my need to have ALONE time. We've looked into P.E. classes at the YMCA, and that's possible, but my youngest is too young yet, and it's in a larger town 20 miles away, so I can't be at home during my time. I have to stay in town. I could grocery shop I suppose, but that doesn't give me MY time. Shopping with my 4 year old is something I really try to avoid when possible. I have friends who I swap child care with sometimes, but my littlest is younger than my friends kids, so it's much more of a burden for my kids to go there. I can't just send them all off on bikes and tell them to be home by 4:00 or whatever like my friends kids do. Not everyone is willing to take on an extra little one on a daily basis who still wants help going potty etc. Also, I tend to use those swaps for things I really CAN'T take my kids too... like annual girly doctor's visits or meetings at work. So I can see the draw for back to school for parents, but I would be very sad to be away from my kids for so long, and I wouldn't like dealing with all the fallout that happens with attendance at public school (kids picking up bad habits, homework, bullies, grumpy kids who are short on sleep, dealing with upity school staff and teachers who think they know your child better than you do, academics that move too fast or too slow etc. etc. etc.) Edie
edies, thats what i am hoping for with the christian school dd is goin to is that my ds can participate in PE there and give me a chance to not be teaching him for one class. He needs to learn from different people as much as I need to be the mom not the teacher once in a while, so I can relate. And I agree not all the time but once in a while once a week? that would be super, but our CO op also requires parental involvement. good , but still.
If anyone hasn't seen the commercial here it is. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9ZgH4AtdUY&feature=related My fav back to school commercial is the one with Alice Cooper. It is funny to see a guy who was supposed to be so terrible do a back to school commercial. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqI4xfsdv7Y&feature=related I can honestly say by the time summer was over when I was in PS I couldn't wait to go back because I could get away from my parents and also I was home alone for 8-10 hours a day which gets borning. My mom used to tell me she couldn't wait for me to go back to school. It was mainly because all I did was sit around the house and didn't do anything.
I actually HAVE seen that Wonderful Time of the Year commercial! Carl and I appreciated the Alice Cooper one, btw!
My kids go to a great co-op on Mondays where they take art, PE and music. But it also has that pesky "parental involvement" rule. I, too, wish for a class or something where they could go without my having to be there. That one academy I mentioned earlier will let you opt-out of staying each week, but you have to pay a higher fee...ugh!
I'm happy PS kids are going back to school..lol. I am also happy to start school because it means more time with my kids and more time learning together. I would not be happy to send my kids off to school for 6 or more hours a day. If I had to, I had to but I wouldn't be singing songs about it. My mom's friend was always happy when school started and she is a fantastic mom. For her, the summers were so full that she simply looked forward to things calming down and getting back on track again. But I also know someone who looks forward to the start of school for her kids mostly because her kids are strangers to her and she is frustrated with them all summer. Sad. So...I suppose it's a case by case thing. I know if some of these kids on my block belonged to me I'd send them off to boarding school! LOL!
I'm happy too it means the zoo will be less crowded and I can take the LO out with me and not run into a gaggle of kids. Besides it means halloween is right around the corner, which means pumpkin pie....mmmmmm pumpkin pie. Oh! and the Circleville Pumpkin Show and swiss fried cheese on a stick....mmmmmmm cheese on a stick.....
I love my Tivo...didn't see the commercial. But I've seen a ton of postings on Facebook. It makes me sad. I've refrained from commenting. Every once in awhile, I imagine my kids...gone for a whole day...silence...no fighting...the house stays clean... ....but I can't imagine it for a whole 9 months.
