Raising kids comes with a myriad of decisions. What foods to eat? Which soap to use? What toys to play with? Use technology or not? The list goes on and on. Before I had children, I thought your child turns five, you send them to school, and that is where the decision-making ends. School is school. Right? Wrong my friends. Over the last 10 years, I realized school requires more than a one size fits all solution. Each child is different, and you need to figure out the learning environment that works best for your specific kiddo.

Some of the Options

In 2022, we are blessed to have many school solutions available to us. In the big picture, we have public, private, and charter schools. Breaking that down more, there are traditional learning models, Montessori models, and hybrid learning environments. There are also in-person and virtual school options; virtual becoming more recognized as a viable option after the COVID-19 pandemic turned the world upside down. You also have the homeschool option, both on your own or within a network of other homeschool families. We have more than one option to consider.

Three Children—Three Very Different Learners

I grew three children in this body of mine, three very different children. They each have strengths and weaknesses, likes and dislikes, and learn in very different ways. Starting with my oldest, I learned that school is not just school. With the oldest, we started in a traditional public school. She is a smart kiddo, and we expected it all to go perfectly smooth. Instead, we had turmoil. We made a change to a Montessori environment, which was a much better fit. I figured I found the perfect school solution.

My second child thrived her first two years in Montessori, but things changed in years three through five. My third child had a terribly difficult time from day one in a Montessori environment but is absolutely thriving in a traditional classroom. Child number two is also thriving after a move over to traditional public school. I was reluctant at first to make a change because I found the “perfect fit”. But it turns out perfect for one is not perfect for all.

Learning to Advocate for Your Child’s Needs

Environment is not the only consideration when navigating school with your children. Regardless of the environment, each child may have needs specific to their learning styles. Brains are not all the same. Some brains need more help than others. My husband and I were both traditional learners. Neither of us had any special needs or requirements to be successful in school. Our children are a different story. We have two 504 plans and an IEP between our three children.

Over the years, I learned to advocate for my children’s needs. It is not easy. When it comes to accommodations, all schools are not created equal. All teachers are not created equal either. Having the energy to request what is needed, follow-up on the request, and follow-up again is immensely important. It is also exhausting. But as a parent, you are your child’s best advocate. If not us—who?

Keep Learning and Re-evaluating

Each child is an individual. They also grow and change as time moves forward. With all the options available, I recommend not getting stuck in one specific method. As our children grow, their needs may change. While Montessori was a great fit for the elementary years, my oldest is thriving in a traditional public high school. If you asked me six years ago, I would have told you traditional public high school was never going to be an option. It was online or homeschool all the way. The pandemic taught me that online or homeschool is NOT an option for this child. It was an actual nightmare, in fact. I followed my child’s lead and found our perfect for right now situation. Sometimes we must zig when we thought we were going to zag. Don’t get stuck. Re-evaluate. Change course when needed.

Find the School that Works for You

Whether you are a happy homeschool parent or president of the PTA at your traditional public school, you are doing a fantastic job. If your decisions are made based on the needs of your family, you are doing a fantastic job. If you are exhausted and yet continue to advocate for your child, I applaud you. There is no one size fits all solution. Find the school where your child thrives; wherever that may be.