Hi, I'm just wondering if you chose to homeschool your kids, or if it comes from something your kids want...or both. My daughter is finishing up K at home and has told me that she wants to go to school next year. I know that I am the parent and ultimately make decisions, but if she is miserable because she just wants to be in school, then that wouldn't be all that enjoyable for either of us. Part of me wouldn't mind at all if she does go to school (more time to get things done, less worry about curriculum, etc), but a larger part would like to continue homeschooling. Have any of you encountered situations like this? What did you end up doing?
I make the call on the big ones (like homeschool vs. public school) because their underdeveloped brains can't possibly process all of the information needed to make the choice. And because I take my marching orders from God, not them. lol. BUT... I let them have some say in curriculum or subject matter. That helps a lot.
For us, it's not a choice our kids get to make right now.. We will homeschool until high school.. IF they want to stay home, we may allow it but I doubt that will be something they want.. My 9 year old says she wants to go to school from time to time, but she wants to go only to see what it's like.. Not because she doesn't like homeschool.. She's the only one who has been homeschooled from the beginning. Dd12 has been home since 2nd grade and doesn't want to go back.. The boys are older so they are craving more social interaction.. Football games, sports participation, and girls.. So they WANT to be in school.. But they had a TON of friends even though they weren't in school.. They just have more now.. Busy busy boys..
I forgot to give my usual shpeel about this topic... Find out why she wants to go to public school. Don't blow off her desires, but see if you can work them into her homeschooling. If she wants more kids around, join groups. For my oldest, it was as simple as wanting to pack lunches; so we had park picnics often. For my 3rd, he wanted to ride the bus. So we took regular trips on the city bus.
Homeschooling is good but I prefer the schools outside because this could build their social communication with other kids. But because of the happenings nowadays, some mothers might think of homeschooling rather than public schools. Well, kids could not understand things so I guess the parents must decide.
Well when I brought my oldest home it was my decision... but he was on board. My littles don't have a choice but they also don't want to go to PS..so problem solved...lol I agree with finding out why she wants to go to school. Many kids only want to go because of something silly like a backpack or riding the bus. Figure out what it is and try to satisfy that desire for her. ps... do I smell something in the dungeon?
I'm thinking yes. Right now my sons don't have a choice. They are too young to make such a huge decision. They've never been to school and have say quite frequently they are glad to be home and don't want to go to school. I don't know how they will feel as they get older. Going to high school is on the table according to my husband. I am all for homeschooling through 12th grade. They will have more say by ninth grade I think, though my husband and I will still make the final decision. If my sons wanted to go to school I would find out their reasoning and see if a compromise could be found. Like others have said, sometimes it's as simple as a backpack or lunchbox or having more time with friends. Also, sometimes it is just simple curiosity about something different. For younger children, playing school might be enough to satisfy.
We believe this is what God wants for our family. Our kids were told that this was how God was leading Daddy, and Daddy's responsibility was to be obedient to God; their responsibility was to be obedient to Daddy. End of discussion. HOWEVER, we decided to enroll our oldest in a cyberschool at the end of her Junior year. This enabled her to take classes at the local community college for free. At her age of 16, yes, she DID have some say in the matter, and it was an EXCELLENT choice for her! Lastly, our neighbor across the street had the opposite problem. The day before school started last year, she came over with here 7yo in tow. "JACKIE!!! Zoe's having fits about going to school! She says Phillip does school at home, and she wants to stay home, too!!!" I looked at Zoe, and told her, "Do you know Phillip has to get up at 7 AM and have his breakfast and then he does math, and language, and history, and science, and some days we're so busy we don't even get a recess! And he doesn't see ANY friends until after 3:30." She looked at me, sighed, looked up at her mom and said in a defeated voice, "OK. I GUESS I can go to school...." LOL!
My kids do not get a day in the matter. We decided when I was still pregnant with our oldest that we would be homeschooling. I do try to make it a fun and enjoyable experience.
Thanks for your responses...I'm just wondering though, what you mean about the dungeon? I've never heard that expression before. For a little more background, we live in a very remote and small town, and all the kids here go to school. My daughter knows all of them and I think feels left out because when she asks if so and so can come over to play, that child can't because she's in school. Also, we have very long winters (we had snow for 7 months...) and there is nowhere but the school to go and run around in a gym. I have started Sparks here in town so she can get together with her friends and we have play dates on weekends. These are the reasons I suspect she would like to go to school. She didn't talk about going to school though until we came back from a trip to visit my sister in law who really thinks she should be in school. One day my sister in law took her to my niece's basketball game at the local elementary school, but also took her on a tour around the school. I wasn't there, so I don't know what my sister in law said, if anything, about how great school is. It may have been something my daughter came up with herself.. Thanks for the idea to chat with her about it and find out why. a simple, but really good idea...
We gave them a choice when they were old enough... it didn't help we had 2 foster children who HAD to attend PS. They went and both came back home... then 1 of the former foster children (now adopted by us) ASKED to come home... something I NEVER thought she would do... her older sister (adopted by us) had already graduated from high school so that wasn't an issue....they all have their moments when they want to go back - but only for social issues (and they admit that) except the oldest who said to me when she asked to come home "I don't have any friends I really LIKE at school and NEED to hang around so that isn't keeping me there".... they socialize at a local PE class, Tae Kwon Do, and I have no problem with friends coming over etc. Now the 6 year old is miserable at PS. She has good days - but most are bad. If she wasn't in foster care, I would pull her. I'm hoping that the court goes our way in July because if it does, I'm requesting permission to homeschool starting next year. Everyone else in our house is homeschooled and I think she now feels left out. The novelty of "going to school" has worn off and she wants to stay home. We are at the point, I've told them all they are staying home. Alexis is skipping 8th grade and heading straight into 9th.... Jake is entering 11th... Karina will graduate next year and I hope to have the 6 year old home for 1st.
It's a line from Harry Potter.... I'm sorry, I keep giggling. I keep thinking of the spray can we had ready for Steve way back in the day... anyone remember that? I know there are so many newbies here these days that they are probably lost and thinking we are all off our rockers... but yeah that was funny.. I can't believe he stuck around after that.
Currently, I'd have to say we both have a say in the home school decision. Neither of my children have any desire to go to public school, but I would take their opinions into consideration if they were contrary. As they get older, their desires would hold more weight, because I think older children should have more of a say in what they do, including decisions that would be a mistake. Public school was always an option when I was growing up, and I made the decision to go at just the right time, with no regrets.
I am having this issue right now. My son wants to go to school, but just for a few days to see what it is like. He is 8 and has never been to public school. Sometimes he thinks it would be easier, more fun, and just the curiousity. Fortunately, dh told me the other day that he does not think ds is ready for it either. I had wondered if it was just me not wanting to let ds go. And, started to wonder if I needed to let go of ds a little bit. We are going through major anxiety and OCD issues tied to his TS. Dh said that if ds could not even be in a room alone at home, he is not ready to enter the crazy and chaotic world of public school. I said that if we did a few trial days, I would want it at the beginning of the year when new routines are introduced, not at the end of the year and interrupt an already established class just to "see what it is like.". Oh, and another reason for ds wanting to start now is that he would get summer vacation if he were a public schooler.:lol:
My son begged me for a year to homeschool him. The oldest was struggling so much and having 4-6 hours of homework a night and bringing home D and F's. The younger son was just not being challenged. But financially, we just couldn't afford it. Then we got pregnant and everything changed. We couldnt afford daycare, nor do we want a stranger raising our child. We still can't afford to be on one income, but we just hit our first year of homeschool, and we still have a roof over our heads and food in our tummies. So God really does provide when needed. This is the best decision we have ever made, for the boys and our family.
I say at that age, parents choose. We would open it up for debate in high school if my kids brought it up but they have no desire to go back to ps! We are in it til graduation unless God changes our course! If you have the space you could let her help you set up a school area and choose some fun books and school supplies. That might excite her. Also, tell her what time kids have to get up and how late it is when they get home! Our neighborhood is five minutes from school but the bus comes through at 7:20. I don't see my kids until 8:00 at the earliest! We have usually been finished for 2 hours by the time the bus comes back through at 4:00!
My kids don't get to decide. This was a decision we made because we felt led by God to do it. That trumps the whims of an underdeveloped brain.
