Okay... I think I know what is going on with my inability to decide on a curriculum and always trying to "keep up" with public schooled kids.. The fact that the kids are supposed to return to school in 9th grade.. THAT'S the problem.. I DON'T want them to go back!!! I truely feel that they would get a better education at home.. BUT then there's the fact that we live in a small community and there is NOTHING here for homeschoolers.. UNLESS I travel to the nearest town with a big homeschool group I feel that they are missing out on the activities.. I can't afford to put them in dance or gymnastics.. That would solve the girls issues for the time being. I watch my 6th grader mope around the house bored half the time.. Not sure it would change if she were in school, but she would at least have the chance to be in some outside activities such as choir and basketball.. Since the public school here doesn't allow homeschoolers to play in sports this will be her last year to play basketball until she enrolls.. She doesn't have any close friends and it's NOT because she doesn't socialize, but it's just one of those things.. Girls her age are NOT very nice.. I'm considering pulling out my 15 year old until we can get his health condition under control. He excells in sports and I can totally see him getting a scholorship to play.. I'm totally having a hard time deciding if I should send them out to public school or not.. I am homeschooling them for so many different reasons now.. Education, moral, religious.. And the list goes on and on.. Am I going to take something away from them if I keep them home?? If we lived in a bigger town it would be a no brainer.. We would have sports,co-ops,and anything else that we are lacking right now.... I just don't want my kids to look back and say that I held them back.. On one hand I want them to go back to experience school because of the oportunities they would get to enjoy that they can't be a part in being homeschoolers here in this little bitty town.. But on the other hand I feel that educationally and spiritually homeschool is a better choice.. Nobody else understands the dilima I am dealing with.. It's too bad that the school here won't allow homeschoolers to play in the sports.. They are really missing out on some good athletes.. And it's really not fair.. But then I feel that finding something for them to love doing is up to me.. Be it serving in the community or finding a talent that they love like sewing or singing.. I feel overwhelmed.. It's all on my shoulders..
We live in an area that offers very little for homeschoolers as well. We can not afford for our kids to be in extra stuff other than scouts. We are allowed by state law to participate in public school sports, but we choose not to... mostly because they are not interested in them and then there is that little fact that we could not afford them (uniforms, shoes, trips, meals on the road for away games... we just can't do it, and couldn't whether they were here or there for school). You need to decide what is most important to you, make a list of reasons to homeschool and reasons to public school then give each thing a number based on importance. Rewrite them in that rank and compare them side by side. Whatever you decide will be fine. Public school is not going to kill them, and neither is homeschooling.
Hi! this is only my first year homeschooling, but I just want to say that I feel for you! We live in an ultra small town too (under 1000 people) and so much revolves around the local school. There are lots of homeschoolers about an hour away, but otherwise, I've been feeling very isolated lately. I don't have an answer for you, but hopefully you find it! Just curious to know if you've asked your kids what they'd like to do. It could take a little pressure off..escpecially if they say they want to continue homeschooling...
I have and my daughter says NO WAY!! Of course my 9 year old wants to go back NOW so she can play on the playground.. But 12 year old doesn't want it.. I'm sure she will change her mind though.. And that's okay.. IF they want to go back then I probably will send them once they are in 8th or 9th grade.. I'm glad you reminded me to consider what they want.. My oldest son would NEVER want to be homeschooled EVER again! 15 year old son says he doesn't care.. I say I would pull him out, but I'm not sure I would.. He was a major disruption to our homeschool days when he was here.. Constant fighting to get him to do his work.. Unfortunatly, the fact that they could be going back keeps me going back to the whole "keeping up with public school" mindset.. :/
You must keep in mind that just because a child goes to public school does not mean that they will be able to participate in things like choir and basketball. There are tryouts for these type of things. Part of you're middle schoolers wandering around bored is a stage. My son went through that and is just starting to come out of it. I'm not saying you shouldn't consider putting them in school, but realize that it may not take care of your concerns.
It's good to know all your options. I think you should take a tour of your public school, with your child, and ask questions about what they can join and what extras they have to offer. Find out if the school offers anything to homeschool kids too. By middle or high school, let your child be part of the decision too. We homeschoolers tend to talk bad about public school, and nothing is perfect, but there are great things about public school too. If you send your children to public school, you can always "afterschool" them if you feel they are not getting everything they need at school. We thankfully live in a large town with LOTS of homeschool opportunities. My kids so far don't want to go back to public school. But, my own experience is that I LOVED school once I got to high school. I feel a little sad that my kids will miss out on marching band, pep rallies, homecoming events, etc. But I know they'll have different memories with their homeschool activities. If we didn't have those options though, I would likely think more about sending them back to school in the high school years. Good luck with your decision!
Another thing to consider is that kids have a tendency toward boredom, and grades 6 to 8 or 9 are really hard for girls because they get so hormonal and catty with each other. There are some issues that just don't go away because they go to public school. Most teens - home or public schooled - will struggle with friendships on different levels through high school. That's just the way we're wired at that age. I like the thinking of really keeping open communication with the kids. Let them know that you're not willing to put them in until a certain grade (for those keen to go), and let the others know that if we get to that age and they don't want to go to the school then it's negotiable (if that works for your family). The other big thing is to let yourself off the hook. Don't feel guilty. You are giving them a good home, and education. All that other stuff does not mean kids are happy. What they need most is a loving family that spends time with them.
