We Don’t Have a Lot of Money.
My husband, Bill, is not excited about private school. He doesn’t talk about how wonderful it is, that we’ve finally found a place for Dylan to succeed. He doesn’t wake up every morning relieved, or excited, or even somewhat content.
He says things like, “You have to teach him to deal with the problem, not remove the problem completely.”
The problem to which he refers, of course, is public middle school.
“I totally disagree,” I say, continuing to research the school, the administration, the teachers and the Quakers – just so we can be as prepared as possible, should Dylan be accepted.
Bill is worried about the money. He is only worried about the money. With all that worry, there is no room for excitement.
It is, after all, a lot of money. And we don’t have a lot of money.
“We might be able to do it for one year,” he says. “But if he wants to go to private school all the way through high school, we just can’t afford it!”
“Why don’t we do this one year at a time?” I say. We might be eligible for financial aid next year. There are a handful of private high school scholarships, too.
Plus, maybe I will actually work enough to pay the tuition for Dylan.
I have recently been cleared to work in – ironically – the public school system, as a home and hospital teacher. I can make reasonable money, if I actually start teaching. It’s just that, so far, I haven’t taught anyone.
The public school system kind of forgot about me, and I didn’t call to remind them that I am available. But now… I have an opportunity and a reason to teach!
I do find it to be incredibly ironic, though, that I’ll be teaching for the public school system in order to pay for my son’s private school tuition.
And – oh yes – we have to wait and see if he’s accepted. Then we can panic.