My dh and I selected a private Christian school in town that we would like for our children. Money has been an issue, but this year, they opened up a distance learning program type. You take the classes from home, but you come in for labs and electives and sports and such. This costs way less. We think it may be a wonderful opportunity and want to try it. You still have to do the admissions testing and the interview and such. Problem is, dd grumbles over it! She is sooo put out. She says she hates the school. She doesn't know the school. I think she would be a good fit for the school. It actually follows the Well Trained Mind largely. Should I just forget it for another year? Or should I perhaps tell her too bad, she has to do this curriculum anyway? She is 13 yrs old.
Your the parent, you need to make her do at least a year. I make the the parenting / schooling choices for DS, with him in mind of course.
This is a tough call. It sounds GREAT! I'd talk it through with dd more. Have her read up on it. Go in and have a tour, and talk with people that will be running the program. Let them talk with and show her around. That could be the "visual" she needs to really see what it's like. It could help her see more that she might actually like that program after-all! I'd also discuss options with her: What does she think she doesn't like about it? What DOES she like about what she's doing now? Have her make a list of the pros and cons of both, then discuss that as well. Let her have a voice. You have the final say, but it's good to know why she's reacting negatively to something that looks so good! Plus she'll appreciate you being willing to work through it with her! I wouldn't force her into it if she's still adamantly opposed after all the discussion and visit to the school!
Although we have gotten curriculum that didn't fit over the years, my daughters have had to finish the year with that curriculum,and we just added it to the set aside maybe another year. When my girls are at high school level, I get their imput on the chosen curriculum, and if it doesn't suit her,finishes the year with it or figures out how she will pay me back(which the money goes into a rainy day fund).
I would agree with Deena as a homeschooling parent we have these great opportunities to walk through our dc's decision making with them. If she really doesn't want to go forward with it, is she willing to put forth the effort to make a case against it? You may just get a wonderful surprise and have her come up with some cost saving alternatives. I am just now venturing into these "teenage" years with my ds (14) so I am not speaking from a wealth of experience but I can imagine a difficult year ahead if you try to force the issue. It seems an honest and open discussion about the situation will go a long way here. Even though you are ultimately responsible it is her education.
That's how our charter school works and it works out well for us. And she may be saying that since it's something new and not necessarily what she's use to. And I know from experience it really blows to be the new kid in school and at her age, that could be part of it. It took my girls a good year to get comfortable with the kids at our charter school.
I guess it would depend on how serious she is about being opossed to the idea. Are you willing to stall her progress if she refuses to cooperate and spends the entire year bucking the system? I understand the parent is the boss, but I personally wouldn't force outside school because the battles that would come with it would not be worth my time. Especially if everything at home was working fine. If it ain't broke...ya know. And I would never keep using a curriculum just because it was already purchased, that seems counter-productive when the whole reason I hoemschool is to accomodate my kid's learning style.
Did she say why she didn't like it? Maybe there is something really valid you just need to find out what her reason is. If it is just because she doesn't want to try it then put your foot down and say you are going to do this. It is most likely that she is just a little scared and doesn't know if she will like it. It would be like going to a new school.... GL
just a thought, maybe she is just scared about a new learning env. i know that she will be at home most of the time, but she could be a little scared about something new.
I'm on both sides of the fence on this one- you are the parent and the adult in the situation but if your daughter has given it a legitmate wholehearted try and still hates it I would rethink it. What is the point of having your kid be miserable? Is she just "being a teenager" and rebelling...just because. Is there something she truly does dislike about the school that you could compromise on? Maybe she just needs time to adjust?
Although I understand wanting to keep her in the "loop" while choosing the curriculum she will be using for the next year, we also know that as a teenager she is basing her decision on a limited number of years experience and emotions could be playing a big part in her choice. Like others have said, I would ask her to present you and your husband with a well thought out/planned case for not going in the direction you are wanting to; but I would also take it a step further and ask her if this isn't the direction she wants to go in, what would be her choice be and why (again, in a well thought out/planned manner).
