I have a tendency to get worked up over things that I shouldn’t. Things that don’t even affect me. Yet, I think about what if…
For example, back when we enrolled our oldest two in a preschool down here in North Carolina that was not affiliated with any church, I was blown away when it was my day to help with snack and I saw that the kids sang a little prayer before they ate.
They’re praying! I told my husband, who looked at me like I’d lost my mind. In the boys’ previous preschools, they’d prayed at 2 of them and didn’t at the third. I had no problem with the praying. But I also wasn’t shocked by it either- those were schools at a church, ones that were clearly defined as Christian schools. The one where they didn’t, wasn’t affiliated with a church. They had stayed neutral on religion and learned about all different holidays.
But why would it even bother me? I pray, I teach my kids to pray. But, I just couldn’t get over how a school that didn’t clearly say there was a religious component to it would pray.
I had similar thoughts at our public school’s Christmas program this year. I enjoyed it, the kids did a great job, but it was definitely a Christmas program. Which is what we celebrate, so why would I even give it a second thought?
It’s not just a religion thing. Another example is with my oldest’s class- in order to complete at least 3/4 of the night’s homework, you have to have internet access. Obviously, being the blogger/social media addict that I am, we have internet access. And I realize that most people do these days. But not everyone does. That’s not a good assumption to make.
What if one of the families of one of the kids in that class don’t have internet? How do they get their work done?
These aren’t things that I have an issue with for me or my family. But I still hear that what if in my head.
Maybe it’s because there are circumstances when I or a member of my family is the odd one out. Who doesn’t fit the mold of the majority. And I appreciate it when someone else notices that hey, this isn’t for everyone, why aren’t things done differently? Why is this the expected way things are done?
So it bothers me when things are done a certain way that leaves people out, even if I’m not the one being left out.
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I get where you’re coming from. My son’s school used to hold PTA meetings at 9 am, and it used to irritate me because it left out parents who are working during the day. I know that not everyone gets to hold 9-5, M-F hours (people in the service industry work nights and weekends), but come on… Why would the meeting be during school? It leaves out teachers too! So I guess it was just a ‘P’ meeting 🙂
I’m the exact same way, especially with internet stuff. My kids aren’t required to do use the internet for their homework, but a lot of things school related are done online. I always wonder about the families who can’t access the net at home. My own daughter can be the odd man out so to speak. One of the programs she uses at school to write papers isn’t a program we have at home. So far she has finished her work at school, but what if one day she doesn’t?
I completely agree with you, I do not have a problem with how things are structure to include religion, or anything else for that matter, but I need to have all the information going in.
I’m glad I found #Pouryourheartout. I feel like I always have something to say that is just not completely mainstream, so thank you for hosting this.
I totally get what you mean. That is true about the Internet thing. Tt would be frustrating if you were a kid without Internet access. I guess you’d have to go to the library daily?
I am the same way. I feel like everyone and their circumstances should at least be thought of even if, at times not everyone’s needs might be able to be met. It feels very narrow-minded to me when circumstances are created with the assumption that everyone is in the same situation.
I so get that. I’m always concerned about people being left out. It’s one of those things that I was raised with, and I think it’s good to feel that way. Someone has to look out for those who might not be included in everything.
We’re not quite to school age yet, so I’m sure I have a lot of this coming … but I have definitely experienced this with kids’ programs in my town. It seems like everything is set for moms who stay at home. I get that those programs are super important, but I’d also love a chance to do something with my kids after work hours. I think it’s awesome that you’re able to see another point of view, especially when it’s not your own…
I used to be a junior high teacher, and it was the first time I encountered a few kids that did not have the internet at home. I felt bad for them and told them they would probably have to use the internet at the library. At the same time, in some ways, I can’t understand how or why, in the 21st century, you wouldn’t have the internet, unless you couldn’t afford it at the time? In any case, they were still able to get the assignments turned in on time. But like I said, I did feel bad for them.
I was surprised to hear the songs selected for this year’s school sing along. We won’t have been able to sing them at my old school.