Rebecca Eckler

It’s so strange to me that sometimes parents are so secretive. We talk to each other about our kid’s bowel movements, their sicknesses and how they were up all night puking, the ridiculous and hilarious things they say aloud to strangers, and sometimes even how our children annoy us.

But there is one aspect of parenting that I found parents don’t like to talk about, and that’s where their children may or may not be going to school. Maybe this only happens in the land of private schools.

My daughter attends an amazing private school, where’s she’s been since JK. I love her school. I love all the teachers, the parents and her classmates. I feel that the school she attends now is like a second family to her.

But, in the private school world, entrance years are usually kindergarten, Grade 3, Grade 6 and then Grade 8. And I have to think about her future. While her school is amazing, no one can guarantee that the amazing teachers will always be there, or that her amazing classmates will always be there.

There is only one private school that I’ve applied for my daughter to get into next year. I love the school because it offers amazing programs and it has a “family” atmosphere. I’d prefer my daughter get in while she’s younger than older, thinking that maybe the transition will be easier. But that’s just me.

We all know what’s best for our children. And I know my daughter best and I think she’d do very well at an all-girls school. But that’s my daughter.

In any case, I’ve asked a couple of other parents in her class what they have planned for their children next year. It’s almost as if I asked them what position they like best in bed, their reactions were so shocking.

“Well, don’t tell anyone,” whispered one father, and then went on to whisper what school his child applied for.

I really don’t get what the big deal is. Is it a competitive thing? Are people worried that if my daughter gets in, their child won’t? But that doesn’t make any sense.

So why the secrecy? Is it because if their child doesn’t get in, they’ll be embarrassed? Again, I have no clue. I know if my daughter doesn’t get in, then it will be slightly disappointing, but definitely not the end of the world, because I love the school she attends now. And that’s where she’ll continue to go.

Maybe it’s because parents don’t like to jinx things. Maybe they feel that if they say it aloud, something bad will happen. Again, who knows? All I know is that if people ask me, I tell them.

Maybe you can tell me. Are you secretive when it comes to plans for your child’s education? And, if so, why?

Happy New Year!

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