Stop Head Start, says the Trib editorial

Stop Head Start - PittsburghLIVE.com Stop Head Start

Monday, March 28, 2005

The scandalous mismanagement of the misnamed Head Start program is another reminder that a village cannot raise a child.

Humm....
The one quote that stands out like a sore thumb, "Parents must be allowed to reclaim their children."

That line makes a show stopper and doesn't wash well enough. I'm okay with the headline. It is my feeling that we need more attention paid to the middle school and high school kids than we do to the tiny tots. My other hunch is that the school teachers unions have been making a push to head start as a way to grow their base and influence.

I want to keep schools out of the lives of the youngest kids as parents and other care givers are better suited. Private day care centers are great, not just mom, dad and grandma.

I'm scratching my head when the editorial speaks about parents being allowed to reclaim their children. That's a big stretch.

I've been very fortunate to be able to stay home with my children for most of the past ten years. My kids are 10 and 7. These have been the best times of my life. It is, without a doubt, the best job ever. I'd wish the same on nearly every couple. But, we are lucky for these choices.

It takes a good bit to stay home with your kids. But I'm thinking that it takes a good bit more to get your kid through ninth grade algebra too. More parents are capable of keeping a 16-week kid in a smooth setting with the right stimulation than a 16-year old kid.

I'd want to lean lightly on the governmental programs for the wee ones -- and dedicate more energy and coaching to the more difficult years between 6th and 11th grades.

In an ideal world, those in 10th grade would get a good glimps of what it means to be with a baby so as to take out the glamor of having one at such a young age.

Our first kid came when I was 35. Patience pays dividens when it comes to parenting. And we could all use more of it.