Hi! My daughter is currently in seventh grade, which means for us this year is middle school. My husband and I are very afraid to send her to the local secondary school, because we (especially I) do not want my daughter to be bullied. The school system is crappy anyways, and our family friends have had to switch to homeschooling because their son & daughter had such a negative experience. I've talked to my daughter about it, and she said that nobody has ever come to her school to prepare her or her classmates for this transition. Is homeschool right for my family? I also have a younger girl who is in Pre-K. I just can't send my child to school, knowing that through the years parent's have had to pull their kids out because of bullying/gangs/drugs/fights/exc. Please let me know ASAP. School starts October 11, and the un-enrollement cut date is September 28th. I'm a writer and I work from home. I'll update you guys and let you know the decision that I made. Thanks!
I might be the wrong one to ask, because I think homeschooling is the best choice for just about everyone, but yes. You gave valid reasons as to why you feel you should homeschool, and it sounds to me like you maybe just need one more nudge as you stand on the edge. There are so many resources available to you to help you get started (The Spot being one, the best one, of course). Fear not, dear Momma!
I cannot answer for sure, yes, you should homeschool. I will say this: Protecting your precious young daughter is a great motivation and reason TO homeschool. I started homeschooling my son in the 7th grade mainly because I knew peer pressure was only going to increase. It hasn't been perfect, but I see who he is now and wonder what he would be like if he went to public school. I think he would have been a little lost in the large number of students with all of their "cliques" and all the bull that goes on. I would suggest one thing. If you do homeschool do a lot of research and don't get overly focused on academics. The relationship you have with your daughter is just as (in fact more than) important than book learning.
I agree with the other ladies. I think your reasons are more than valid and it seems like you may be in a good position to make it work well for your family.
As a homeschooler, I say yes. I am curious, why do you have to have your child out by the un-enrollment date? Is this a private school?
We're all obviously very pro homeschooling but this is not a question we can answer for you. Are your reason's valid? Yes. Very! Should you? Only you and your husband can answer that. Homeschooling is the best answer for many, the only answer for some and the wrong answer for a few. Your first stop should be http://www.hslda.org/ (for your state laws) and find a local support group. (Yahoo groups is a good place to start-search for 'homeschooling' and your county, town/city, and surrounding areas) and of course the spot is a GREAT place to come to for quick advice and answers from a variety of homeschoolers!
My daughter is 7 and in second grade. However I just this week pulled her from school because of many of the same things you are expressing. The school wasn't very good, the teacher was not good, she was developing a huge dislike for school. We have begun homeschooling and so far it is going great. I would say if I were in your shoes I would defintly pull her out and homeschool. It sounds like it's something you guys have thought about and discussed and everyone is on board with the idea. I say go for it and your friends are close by so you can get together to work on things if you wanted or bounce ideas off each other or just discuss frustrations.
Thanks for the quick responses. We have decided to go with homeschool. I think that this will be better for both of girls, and our family as a whole. To answer a question: You need to pull them out by the un-enrollement date, so the teachers have an approximate class number. As I said, terrible and meaningless public school system where we live.
Definitely go to hsdla. org for information regarding CA. I am in CA and have been homeschooling for 10 years. No matter where you live in CA, you can remove your child at any time of the year. The affidavit has to be filed between October 1-15 of each year. BUT, you can file as a late filer once you remove your child from public school. The un-enrollment date is for the schools convenience. San Diego is known for trying to give homeschoolers a difficult time. Again, go to hslda.org and type in San Diego. You should be able to find some cases HSLDA took on because San Diego tries to pull the wool over the eyes of new homeschoolers. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. If you are going to operate as a private homeschooler, the same laws and regulations apply to you as to any private homeschooler in CA, no matter where the live. Welcome aboard, fellow homeschooler and Californian.
This is legal analysis for CA. It is a summary. Hope it helps. http://hslda.org/laws/analysis/California.pdf
Patty- Thanks for all of the information. I think un-enrollement date was the school trying to get us to stay. I've never un-enrolled my child from public school, and this is my first experience. I think a lot of people in our town have either switched to private schools, or homeschool. I don't know that it was them for sure, but I was given that information, and it could be anybody. I will definitely visit the links that you gave me. We are planning to start in October, and I'm hoping to get a curriculum, schedule, exc picked out by then.
Your welcome. San Diego and Palmdale are one in the same. They try to hold on to "their" students. From the sound of your posts, it seems like you have an idea of what you want to do. That is great! A bit of advice, it is suggested that you do not wait more than three weeks from the time of removing your children to the time you start homeschooling. If your children are removed after the file date, HSLDA suggests that you file right after you have legally removed them from the school. This way the school can't say that they are truant or not in "school". But you do not need a curriculum right off the bat. As long as your kiddos are learning something, and you can show proof if asked, that is all that matters. This could help give you time to really find a curriculum that works for you and your children. If you want to deschool, this will also be a great time.
I just wanted to say WELCOME !!! to the homeschool club Make sure you find some other homeschoolers around you for a local support group. But all of us here will all be with you on this incredible journey.
Congrats on your decision! I think the school may want you to pull the kids before the enrollment date for their own convenience, but you can pull your kids out of school anytime you choose to.
I have been lurking around the forums for a couple weeks now and this post made me decide to join just because I'm nosey and want to know what part of san diego you're in? I'm in north county and trying to decide the same thing (only my oldest is much younger- she's only 4!) I am really looking for insight into what kinds of challenges homeschoolers actually face and the different methods. I've done a ton of research and am definitely leaning in that direction, I'm just nervous about everything depending on me! Plus, i am not super creative and am afraid of boring my kids to death! This probably should have gone in an introduction post, sorry!
It sounds to me like you re pretty sure about it already. You have friends who have had problems with the school that you are concerned will effect your dd. I personally have pretty much figured if I had not done the whole nine yards from the beginning I would have pulled my dc during Jr/Sr probably for same reasons. The school my older two would have gone to public wise was known for violent situations. I am so glad that I decided to home teach them all and sometimes I wish I had kept them all the way to graduation. For my children when I had three at home, one was primary, one jr/sr and one was just starting high school . the oldest wanted to go out to school and 'make friends' new ones. He had his friends he had grown up with but wanted new ones and new adventures in learning from other people. I prayed, God answered detailed that ds was to go out for high school. I guess I can't fight that one hahah So my ramblings are to say you have to look at the whole picture-- and if you are still not sure, pray and ask God to give you direction. Homeschool is not something to enter into on a whim, but something to look at the pros and cons of then make a for sure decision that you will not regret and disrupt your childs schooling by going back and for too many times. So take your dd beside you look up online and see what is out there, look at a list of what she will need to take, and then look for some really fun electives! Enjoy! Also plan an outing with your dd like a feild trip with maybe the friend who is already home schooling?
Are you currently a SAHM? If so, doesn't your daughter depend on you for everything now? I was scared at first too, but what helped me was a veteran homeschooler telling me "What does a 5 year old need to know that you can't teach them?" I haven't looked back since, if there are things I don't know, I can learn right along with them Welcome tot he spot!
I am currently a SAHM and it's not so much that I'm afraid there's something I can't teach her at this age, it's more that I lean toward a matter of fact, basic approach to most things and I wish I had more creative, fun inclinations to things. Does that make sense? Especially things like math and science. I know there are a ton of resources out there to help with this, it's just something I wish was more natural for me. Thanks for the welcome! It has definitely been interesting reading through the posts and getting a glimpse into the real world of home schooling.
