It really fired me up reading an article posted in the very early morning on Friday about our children’s education and how the rest of their elementary and high school days can be affected.

This lit a fire in me. As a mom but more so, an ADHD Mom. The article title…

Ford gov’t lifting class cap sizes, allowing parents to opt out of new sex-ed curriculum

Is slightly misleading… because its waaaay more than this!

“Ontario NDP’s education critic Marit Stiles said she believes the changes will reduce resources and overwhelm teachers, hurting one-on-one attention teachers provide students.

“I think what we’re going to see unfortunately are fewer teachers ultimately in our classes, that was quite clear coming out of this announcement,” Stiles said after the news conference.

“There are going to be fewer teachers in the classes, less one-on-one time for our students, fewer other education workers. The education system is also about educational assistants, ECE’s, caretakers, all those other people that make our classes safe and supportive for students.””

“Gone are:

As a parent of two amazing kids and living an ADHD lifestyle, this announcement is devastating. Already, prior to this announcement our children were not receiving enough one on one teaching assistance. Even children with an IEP who have a real identified need.

The school system is nothing like when I went to school, which really and truly was not that long ago. However now so much more is expected of children. What used to be play based learning is now homework or sitting still for way to long and expecting kids to learn more and more than we ever were expected to at the same ages. School starts so much earlier which was to be a blessing for parents, a saviour with daycare costs. Rather it was another way to bombard our kids with what they should already know and push more at them.

Dont get me wrong, I am thankful for my kids education and the fact that they have this opportunity.

However… maybe just maybe are we pushing too much on them too soon.

Kids are under so much stress at such young ages. Kids are pushed through school without fully knowing or understanding what they should know. Children (tweens, teens and young adults) are committing suicide at an alarming rate.

Maybe some don’t see the direct correlation but I do.

Quite honestly, Ive looked into home schooling. But I know, I alone am not able to provide the education my children deserve and require. We are active parents in our children’s learning whether its text book or life learning. Life learning truly is one of the best – hands on, real life learning. Even something as simple as baking in the kitchen. When you double a recipe you double the measurements. Cutting things for renovations (which we have done plenty of) you measure twice cut once.

As I began writing this and when I read the article yesterday, I was so angry. However I realize anger will not amount to anything. As wonderful as our kids school is, I recognize the school and teachers can only do so much. As more and more funding is taken from our children, we have to work with what we have while strengthening our voices. Our children need us to advocate for them. I used to silently sit back, not wanting to draw much attention to the fact that we legit live an ADHD Life and are finding our way through of what works for us and what doesn’t. Getting angry wont solve anything. Being REAL however… sure I am just one voice but real life living means living your best life. If our children have these high expectations on them, which lets be real, having a lot of kids in one room and expecting them all to succeed being taught the exact same way – its NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

Our children are all different. We are all different. We need to embrace our uniqueness and see it as a positive, no room for negativity, especially when it comes to education. Children and adults all learn differently and this is something the government should be embracing – not chastising.

This is real life already affecting kids. Our school only has enough support for children with severe physical needs and are unable to provide additional support for children with academic needs. This is real life now – before these cuts were announced. Its scary, it puts so much more pressure on parents and children. Its not right but if we simply stay silent about it, nothing will change. Our voices need to be heard.

Parents I encourage you, speak up. Let your voice be heard. Be your child’s best advocate – they need you. ❤