Kanav just turned 9 years old and over the past few weeks
has stopped playing with the kids in the neighbourhood for they seem like kids
to him now. He has also started spending a lot of time on youtube learning to
make various craft projects.
On Tuesday night, 26th November 2017, Kanav was
playing in the Jumping Bouncer whom they call as Mickey Mouse in a marriage at
Swaran Farms. I got Kanav out of it when I realized that he along with a few
other kids was hurting the younger ones unintentionally. But when later, after
dinner, Kanav wanted to , Kanav wanted to spend just 2 minutes on it but he was
not being let on it by the caretaker. He started crying and asked me to talk to
the caretaker to let him spend a few minutes before he goes back home.
I simply denied to do that and I asked him to convince the
caretaker by himself. His reaction surprised me for he was clearly hesitant, afraid
and becoming drawn back and had lost almost all confidence in himself. I then
started motivating him and trying to teach him ways to do it without any
result.
Finally, I placed a bet of Rs 100 if he convinces the
caretaker and the smile on his face was worth millions more than that. He
simply took off and in a single stroke convinced the caretaker, went on to the
ride and signaled me that he has won Rs 100.
After spending 5 minutes on it, and after a week now, he
doesn’t even remember those Rs 100. But that one incident was a tipping point
for me.
Kanav had been complaining of the strictness of his teacher
for some time now. I even talked to the Principal once but for a class of 40 students
who are reaching an adolescent age, it is really difficult to manage the class.
But I was thinking something else now? What exactly a school
is teaching and what it would be teaching Kanav in the next 5 years. I realized
- some Maths and Science in an uninteresting way, details about some unknown
countries and boring things about India and some unconnected history. Little to
understand civics and then some unimportant computer skills. Oh yes, I forgot
about the boring Grammar.
So what about his personality, oh yes…some contests like
elocution, quiz, debate etc might be there. Seriously, do I really want my kid
to do that? And this question I had been asking for over 2 years now. But I have
finally got the answer – No School can teach Kanav what he really wants to
learn and what he should actually learn.
So, before it gets too late, We would say goodbye to
schooling for Kanav. The solution which I have started to explore seriously now
is Homeschooling for Kanav. But before we start that journey, I have a lot of
apprehensions.
1.
Would Kanav spend enough time on his studies
when at home? Would he act responsible?
2.
How would we manage our Jobs and Kanav’s studies
together?
3.
Would we be able to get enough time to spend
with Kanav?
4.
Would we be able to create a right environment
at home?
5.
How would Jay reach and behave?
6.
Above all, how am I gonna convince my dad and
mom who already think of me as a rebel?
But then…..
The woods
are lovely dark, and deep.
And I have
promises to keep , and
miles to go
before I sleep
