Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Settling isn't an option

Yesterday, I had a conversation with a very close family member.  A woman whose opinion I respect.  But yesterday she said something that has stuck.  I was explaining the Turning 5 process and she said, "You're going to have to settle and send him to public school."  And while it may be the truth, sometimes the truth is the last thing I want to hear.  Because why should I settle? 

If I settled, The Boy wouldn't have made the progress he's made.  I'm not asking for the impossible.  I'm asking for what I feel is the most appropriate.  I know some of my options are out of my reach.  I'm realistic about my finances.  I'm not against a public school so long as its the right public school.  And if he's accepted into a funded private school, I will do whatever necessary to make sure he can attend. 

I've settled on many things in my life.  I'll settle for a few less hours of sleep.  I'll settle for tuna sandwiches on weeks when money is tight.  I'll settle for generic clothes when what I really want is fabulous designer digs.  I will settle on holes in the sofa until I can buy a new one.  And I'll settle on taking one class at a time until I graduate.  But to settle on The Boy's education?  Sorry, that can not be an option.

That being said, I wanted to post one of my favorite poems -
 

Listen to the Mustn'ts by Shel Silverstein
Listen to the MUSTN’TS, child,
      Listen to the DON’TS
      Listen to the SHOULDN’TS
The IMPOSSIBLES, the WONT’S
      Listen to the NEVER HAVES
Then listen close to me-
      Anything can happen, child,
  ANYTHING can be
 
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1 comment:

  1. You've got your priorities straight. But one thing that makes education difficult, I've found, is that it isn't even always a question of settling versus not. Sometimes its just hard to find the "right school." I'm not sure that one even exists in all cases. You just have to try to make the best of the resources you get.

    Gotta love Shel Silverstein!

    ReplyDelete

AutismWonderland - written by Lisa Quinones-Fontanez - is a personal blog chronicling a NYC family's journey with autism, while also sharing local resources for children/families with special needs.