8 children, 1 mom, plenty of education

It is that time in the summer when a woman longs for the clean, crisp air of autumn, and the sound of buses grinding gears as they drive down her street and take her children to school.

The mantra of ''pool, park, library'' doesn't work anymore. Sigh. These are the days that try mothers' soles.

And then, of course, there are women like Judy Bailey of Forest Park.

Twenty-nine-years old. Mother of eight. Sane. Happy. Likes summer. Worries that school will start too soon.

Her name and other identifying details have not been changed. She is not a composite of other women. I wouldn't have the nerve to make up somebody this good.

She is that most endangered of species, the Old-Fashioned Mother. Warm-hearted. Seventeen-handed. With a mouth that kisses away hurts and one flat second later threatens you with a ''butt-whupping'' you'll never forget.

If you think a woman like that is going to let you while away a summer, your name is obviously not Tiffany, Jonathan, Kenneth, Jermaine, Stephen, Karmen, Patricia or Joshua.

Those are her kids. On this year's Mother's Day card, they wrote this bit of poetry in her honor:

Do your homework. Tie your shoe.

What do you mean, there's nothing to do?

Books and babies

The ''little bitty books'' that came home almost as soon as each new baby did, to promote reading skills in infancy.

The leftover school-year homework sheets, cut and glued into new and improved homework sheets to be done over the summer.

The Bible verses learned to rap. ''Now WHEN the DAY of PENTECOST is FULLY come . . .''

The grocery-shopping trips in which her children are asked to clip coupons, figure prices, count change. ''It's math,'' says son Jonathan plaintively. His mother smiles conspiratorially. ''Some of them know it's math,'' she says. ''Some of them think it's grocery shopping.''

The Bailey kids would have every reason to slide through with little direction or attention. They are a blended family from their parents' former marriages, current marriage, plus a cousin. Money has been tight at times. They have grown up in suburban areas that are no strangers to crime and trouble.

But Kenny and Judy Bailey had a different vision for their kids. And six years ago, when she heard about a Lincoln Heights Elementary School program called Home-School, Judy jumped at the opportunity. The school district provides home visits by a teacher and parent training, and lends more than 500 instructional materials. Parents who are willing can learn to help their children do better at school.

Taking it all in

The school lent; Judy borrowed - computers, educational videotapes, school supplies. The school taught; Judy learned - how to improve discipline, standardized test scores, literacy skills.

Although her sizable family could have used the extra income, Judy stayed home to work with her children. She is a reminder that ''Mom and Dad'' are still the key words in education reform.

And here is what Judy Bailey got for all her trouble: several children scoring in the 98th and 99th percentile on standardized tests. Son Jonathan, 11, nicknamed ''Einstein'' by his homeroom teacher. Son Kenneth, 11, whose grades lead his class, and whose career goals hover between rocket scientist and spy.

Daughter Tiffany, 14, who joyfully declares, ''Let it be known that when I go to school, I'm going to be valedictorian of my class.''

A wall full of plaques, certificates and awards show that she and her siblings are well on their way.

So when you start to worry about the state of American children, you can cross one handful off your list.

''I believe if I raise my kids with strong beliefs, good morals and the help of the Lord, they'll grow up and do the same,'' Judy Bailey says, beaming at a sofa full of smart, nice kids. ''As long as I have breath in my body, I have assurance there will be eight good kids left in the world.''

Krista Ramsey's column appears in The Enquirer on Saturdays. Write her at 312 Elm St., Cincinnati 45202 or fax at 768-8340.

Published July 13, 1996.