9 Reasons why we loved sending our kids to a School

For about 2.5 years our children were going to a Montessori school. L started at age 3.5 and E started later at age 3. Deciding to send our kids to school definitely had some pros and cons (like all things!) Here are some reasons we loved sending our kids to school :

Uninterrupted mornings

Many a mother’s dream is to have hours to herself for at least some part of the day to work uninterrupted! I was living this dream – Every morning I would get the kids out of the house and drop them off at school. Then I would have a couple of hours to myself to do my own things – pray, run errands, cook, clean, catch up with loved ones, or work on side projects. My time was my own until it was time to pick up E (age 3). I would then get my special time in with her until it was time for us to pick up L (age 5).

Exposure 

We tend to live a cultural bubble. Not just Indian culture, but our family’s culture and our community’s culture. I loved that school provided good exposure for both us and the kids to different cultures, different routines, different methods of doing things, and different adults who our children can learn are good and trustworthy as well. 

Community 

Our school provided a beautiful community. It was great to be around other like minded young families. The vibrant community meant lots of opportunities for getting to know each other, helping each other, serving each other. 

Friendships 

Our children made so many good friendships. Because of the montessori nature of the school, they made friends with children older and younger to them too. This felt more natural to me. The older children looked out for the younger ones, the younger ones learned from the older ones. It feels so good to trust who your children are spending time with! At this young age, I wouldn’t have it any other way. 

Independence and Fun 

Our kids had lots of fun! A montessori education means “play is the work of the child”. They had lots of fun working with the classic montessori materials that were teaching them the fundamental building blocks for math, language, geography, art, sensorial, faith and practical life work. Because their work was fun they would finish it on their own and be so proud of their accomplishments. Learning was not separate from fun. When they got to work with their friends it was like the icing on top. Learn more about the Montessori environment HERE

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd 

Our school has a beautiful, long established atrium for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd – Levels I, II, and III. I cannot share enough about the value of having this catechesis so accessible for 2-3 hours/week! While we have CGS available to us outside of school, the programs are never for so long and are not so established. It makes a huge difference for the child. I’ll have to share another time about CGS and why we love it!

Routine

Going to a formal school everyday also forced the family to run on a routine. Every morning we had to get out of bed whether we all got enough sleep the night before or not. The drop-offs and pick ups set a flow to our days. Routine builds a good foundation for discipline which is especially beneficial for my very scattered brain!

The Right School

School was only even an option for us because we found the right school. It is such a blessing to have a school close to home that not only cares for the academic education of our children but also for their spiritual and personal growth. The teachers and staff care that the children make it to heaven one day! I can’t imagine entrusting my children (who were first entrusted to me) anywhere else for this many hours every day.

I hope you enjoyed reading about the reasons we loved sending our kids to school! Even though having a great school nearby certainly made these benefits possible, we felt our family was being called to homeschool. (You can read about our discernment HERE)