STRESS

My daughter is starting 8th grade, officially, in September and I already feel the stress of her future planted squarely on my shoulders.  There is an over-abundance of information out there and I find myself getting overwhelmed.  The advantage of public school is they have the whole schedule already planned out...they know what is required to graduate and move on and they push their students along on that path.  The disadvantage, of course, is whether or not this plan is the right plan for my kid and is the pace too fast or too slow.

I am just starting on this journey of what my daughter will need in the next 4-5 years of school and find myself getting so irritated.

Here are some facts:

1. She will, in no way, do anything in the science field.  She will not become a scientist nor do lab work or anything else in this field.  It is not her thing.  As I prepare for 8th grade science and ALL that she has to learn there (Physical Science), I wonder in what realm she would need to know how to figure out the density of a cloud.  Oh, some of science I can see as relatively useful...types of clouds could be interesting, though I, honestly, do not remember one bit of that from my own education.
   
2. As is the case with science, my daughter will not be a mathematician.  She has no interest in math equations. I see validity in math, but not so much in knowing algebraic equations.  I mean, when is she ever going to need know the quadratic equation?  Basic algebra could, possibly, be useful.  Basic geometry might be something she MAY use.  But, why spend time on these subjects.  I would rather her take a course in accounting, a subject she would get a lot of use out of.  Rather than a full year's credit of Algebra 2, I would rather her take a full year's credit of Economics...understanding the stock market and social security and 401K.
3. I see the validity in Language Arts programs.  Let's face it, too many of us (myself included) have issues forming proper sentences.  My biggest downfall is the use of then and than.  I think it is important that she reads books...well-written books.  I think it is VITAL that she learn to spell properly.  
4. I would like to see more emphasis put on communication and less on science and math (well, with math, I would be ok with a certain level of math if it were USEFUL math).  I like the idea of speech and communication with some emphasis on leadership.  To me, these are far more valuable in the real world than learning how to dissect a frog (when has that ever been useful)...don't even get me started on dissecting the earth worm.
5. I don't even know if Sierra is going to go to college.  A year ago, I would have said yes, without any doubt.  There are so many pros and cons given me as advice on the subject of college.  My view is, it is not for everyone.  I have a friend whose son wants to be a mechanic.  That's GREAT!!  He knows his interest and he can pursue it.  Now, if Sierra did so choose to go to college, is there any doubt in my mind that she would succeed?  No doubt in my mind, she would succeed.  She is determined and tends to conquer whatever she puts her mind to.  But, she has been talking, lately, about wanting to go into the ministry with an emphasis on using her art skills to help children...maybe in an art therapy realm.  She is also interested in participating in a Christian Leadership Program that is a year long program when you graduate as well as missions.  I applaud her aspirations.

It drives me crazy...all these courses she is expected to take that have no point in her future.  As a homeschooler, I have felt such freedom in choosing what my kids need and do not need....tailor making their programs.  But, I feel helpless in these later years as I feel I may be forced to have her take courses that will frustrate her and me and will be useless to her present and future.

Any insight is appreciated.  I am just getting my feet wet in this. I know many parents who, at this point in their kids' education, would just throw their hands up and put their kids in school.  This is not an option for us.  First and foremost, Sierra has absolutely no interest in returning to school.  She has been there and sees no redeeming qualities in it....and I agree.