Should school control how you parent at home?

Last year I wrote a post about how screentime can be good for mom’s sanity.  At that time, I was a full-time mom without any help (except my amazing husband, of course!), and a break actually made me a better parent.  It was a trade-off I made. (and felt guilty for, of course).

Now, I’m still a full-time mom but the snerd’s grandparents live close again and I have other breaks, however I still let them indulge in an occasional Dora, Jake or Kai-Lan episode. (I’m actually encouraging Kai-Lan because we’re adopting a baby from China and the series introduces basic Chinese culture and language in a way they are interested in).  It’s my decision.

However, a school we’re considering is threatening to take that decision away.  Waldorf school’s have a NO MEDIA policy.  No TV, videos, no computers– not even an innocent YouTube video of dolphins or volcanoes– no screentime at all.  And not just at school — at home too.

My husband is ruffled by this– how can a school dictate how you parent in your own home?  But I’m encouraged by notions of kids being kids, playing outside, and no other students telling my son Star Wars is the coolest. (which he hasn’t seen).  The school even demands lunch boxes and clothing not be adorned with “media characters” (yep, no Dora backpacks allowed).

It’s not like we watch a lot of TV (this post explains how we went Comcast-free), but the snerds do watch videos, especially in the car and before bed.  Is it a school’s right to ban those?

Does anyone have experience with Waldorf schools?