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Our oldest attended public school for kindergarten, and let me tell you, it was an eye-opener. We quickly realized that public school had changed a lot since the days of neon windbreakers and cassette tapes. The basic structure was still there, but as Bob Dylan famously sang, “The times, they are a-changin’!”
That was back in 2019, and it was the last time we ever dipped our toes in the public school waters. Now, every so often, our oldest will reminisce about his brief stint in “the clink”—I mean, public school. There’s one aspect that he never forgets.
Picture this: a six-year-old with a bladder full of juice and the urgent need to go. Like any good student, he raises his hand and asks the all-powerful teacher for permission to visit the bathroom. Now, I get it—schools can’t just let kids roam free like a herd of wild goats. But here’s where it gets interesting: the teacher actually had the power to say no.
For a six-year-old, this is nothing short of a nightmare. Can you imagine? You’re just learning to navigate the world, figuring out how to make your own decisions (like when it’s time to catch the poopoo train), and suddenly, someone tells you that you don’t have permission to go? Cue the social anxiety! It’s like being on the verge of disaster and someone saying, “Hold it right there, buddy!”
It’s a small thing, but it speaks volumes about the public school experience. The fear of being told “no” when nature calls is enough to make any kid consider pulling a Billy Madison and trying to convince everyone that peeing your pants is the coolest thing since sliced bread. Luckily, our little one never had an accident (thank goodness!), but the whole situation left a lasting impression.
This is just one of the many reasons we’re grateful for homeschooling. Our kids never have to worry about asking permission for basic bodily functions, and they certainly don’t have to face the potential embarrassment of being denied. Homeschooling has given them the freedom to learn and grow without unnecessary stress—because let’s face it, they’ve got plenty of other things to worry about, like whether or not they have to take a shower at night or not!
