Old School, New School

I'm an 'old-school' guy.
One can tell...I haven't had as much as some kids today.
And I AM a high school graduate.
I'm talking about the schooling kids get today.
Now more than ever.
We were lucky to count to five, never mind to 100 like what's mandated now, by the time we started kindergarten.  Don't even get me started on this "new math" thing.
Pre-school, or pre-K, wasn't around back then.  At least not to my knowledge.  We were at home until age five, and then hopefully we were ready by the time we were off to Kindergarten.
But this is the real world we live in today.
With most parents today working outside the home just to make ends meet, daycare has gone from being a luxury to a necessity.
Some real 'old-schoolers' still think they have all the answers, though.
They say a woman's place is in the home.  Yeah, right.  If I tell my wife to get in the kitchen and make me a sandwich, she might comply...but afterwards, I would most likely never want (or be able) to eat again.
Even I know better than that.
They say it can be done on one paycheck.  Sure it can.  If the single paycheck comes from a high-paying job or profession, yes.  Otherwise, it's shopping at thrift stores, discount department stores, discount grocery stores or membership clubs, patching up a jalopy bearing a "don't laugh...it's paid for" sticker on the bumper.
There's nothing wrong with that.  Don't get me wrong.
But you as a parent, owe it to yourself, and your child, to ensure that they have a successful future.
Computer literacy has gone from being an asset to a requirement.  It's become almost as necessary as having to know basic mathematics skills (it was my worst subject in school).
Everything your child is involved in as a youngster are things that employers look at today.
From instrumental/vocal music to athletics.  Not just a place in Who's Who or the National Honor Society.
Kid raising money for band?  Yep, employers look at that.  Community service is a must.  City councils, school boards, and advisory non-profit boards don't come out of thin air, ya know.  Seats on those boards reflect positively on companies.
Because community goodwill is the best form of free advertising there is.  I should know...I've been in the advertising business for the past 25 years now.
My daughter is entering pre-school at the end of this month.
We recently attended an open house at the private Christian school that's located just down the hall from where our daughter's daycare facility is.
I looked around "Mrs. Yam's" (she goes by a nickname to make things easier for kids not used to saying a VERY ethnic-sounding name) classroom at all the small "Savannah-sized" tables and wondered about how she would be in this setting.
It didn't seem that long ago when she took a few naps during the day, snuggled in a little pack-n-play in the infant section of the daycare center.  Then transitioned to the toddler's room once she was able to walk.  Then as potty training progressed, up with the older toddlers.
Time for this Old School Dad to get back in the classroom.
Because I have to learn how to deal with how fast my child is growing up.
And how I can temper my desire to protect her with her desire for independence.
Continuing education, if you will.


NEXT WEEK:  Little Big Girl