Back to School...or not

Yesterday was the first day of school for many of your kids. For us it was the first day of school after a three week Ramadan/Eid vacation. But only my Wilberforce started back to school yesterday.
We could not convince Gilbert that he would enjoy going back to school. He's been complaining about school for a few weeks now. It was getting increasingly difficult to make him go each morning. Over the holiday we tried to figure out what the problem was, and little by little he would talk about it.

He does not like school anymore! Mostly this is just due to his personality. He's a goer and a doer, always wants to be busy and doing new things and interesting projects. If he's not actively engaged in some exciting work, he gets cantankerous and bothersome to everyone! At school he was getting bored with the repetition, which was naturally for him causing behavior problems, which didn't lead to the best relationship with Teacher. He also needs lots of attention- he's very demanding in that way. It was very frustrating to him when he needed help with his school work, but Teacher didn't help him because she was busy with others.

There's also a couple of cultural problems. Gil felt badly when the teacher called them names. The other children are more accustomed to it; it's pretty common for adults to do that to kids. He was also very let down when the teacher would promise to give him a gift when he did a good job on his school work- but then never did. This is a sad, but common practice here. Parents or other adults will attempt to manipulate a child by promising him a reward if he does well, but then not give him anything. Of course, older kids wisen  up to that gimmick pretty fast, and don't believe a word they say. (Way to teach a kid to trust you, right.) But we have never done this to our kids. If we promise our kids something, we make sure we can fulfill our word. So Gilbert was pretty upset by the teacher's deceit.

After praying and discussing, we decided we would not make him go back. There were many good things about school- he got to be with other kids, learn more kiswahili, play and have fun with others in a structured morning. It was good for the time being. But now we are back to homeschooling! It fits his personality better. It's just a lot more work for mama and papa!

Force will continue to go preschool. he loves it. And what kid wouldn't? They sing songs, play games, watch ESL movies...:) His best friends are Ali, Ikram, and Chales. He's learned Swenglish. It's all good! I think it's good for him to get some time that is his own, with out his bossy older brother!
Such decisions about our kids are not easy. We don't want them to give up on something just because it's hard or they're not having fun. We pray for wisdom each day to raise our children with love in the way of the Lord. Different kids have different needs, and we try as best we can to be sensitive to that, and help each of them grow and develop in their weaknesses and strengths. O Lord, for wisdom, and grace to carry it through!

~Rachael