Reasons I am Glad We Homeschool: A Child's Most Basic Needs

by Andrea Hermitt | More from this Blogger

04 May 2007 10:47 AM

Children and humans in general have a few very basic needs that at minimum should not be restricted. They are the need to breathe, the need to eat, the need to eliminate. Without these needs, a child will be unable to learn, focus, and even survive.

This past week there were two incidents in the news where the basic need to eliminate was denied to two middle school boys. The first incident involves an honor student child in California who claims the teacher told him to urinate in a bottle instead of allowing him to go to the rest room. The child was suspended and the teacher was transferred to another school. The child is the person who reported the incident to administrators. Yet, he was still punished. Today I read that a 6th grade boy in Ohio was denied a bathroom break during a test and accidentally urinated on himself. Administrators have apologized to the child and placed blame on the teachers' overzealousness. There is no information as to how the teacher was punished.

My son had bathroom issues when he was in public school. He was born with colitis, which the doctors called a slow colon. Because of bathroom rules at school, he was not allowed to take the time he needed to eliminate, and so the problem escalated into a chronic condition that had us at our wits end. Doctors could do little to remedy it and their attempts made it worse. We eventually found a home remedy that made the situation better, but the problem would come and go, getting worse during the school year.

The year we started homeschooling, the problem took care of itself. Because he was able to go the bathroom whenever he wanted instead of being forced to "hold it" until he was too constipated to go. While he still has a slow colon, his problem is manageable with herbal tea and being able to use the bathroom at will. This was an unexpected benefit of homeschooling.

I sure am glad we homeschool.

*Have a question about homeschooling? Just ask.

*Want to know more about homeschooling? Start with the 2006 homeschool blog in review!

Learn more about Andrea Hermitt

Andrea Hermitt is a native New Yorker currently residing in GA. She has been married for over 16 years and has two teenage children.

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Nola Redd (7081) 04 May 2007 02:24 PM

Why the heck was the first boy suspended? Indecent exposure or what? Did he actually go in a bottle? Both of these stories - all three, counting yours - are insane!

Andrea Hermitt (5472) 04 May 2007 03:15 PM

Not sure why the boy was suspended. He did go in the bottle and all of the kids turned their backs, so you can't tell me that the teacher didn't tell him to do it and them to turn thier backs. As for my son, we never thought anything of it. Children were only allotted so much time in the bathroom and my son could take a long time. In hindsight I should have demanded an exception be made but I always thought my verbal reminders that he had a physical problem would be enough.

karabu (980) 05 May 2007 04:31 PM

This happened to me in the third grade. Teacher was upset with the whole class and forbid anyone from getting out of their seats - I had an accident. I never thought too much about it anymore - but you're right - these poor kids are put through thinkgs that make no sence.

Lyn Newton (3966) 05 May 2007 09:56 PM

In first grade I had surgery for kidney reflux. I had to go to the restroom very often after the surgery. The students were not allowed to get up during rest time. My mom actually had to get a note from my surgeon to give to the teacher so I could go the restroom during nap time without punishment! I always tell my kindergarten students to go when they need to (we have a restroom in my room). I had much rather them get up than me have to clean it up! Thanks for the thoughts! I had not heard the news you mentioned!

Andrea Hermitt (5472) 06 May 2007 07:46 PM

Karri, the good news is most kindergarten and pre-k classrooms have bathrooms now. thanks for the note. The problem with the middle schoolers is teachers treat them like adults when their bodies have not matured yet. When they have to go, they have to go!