So after a huge meltdown....... We put our "trouble" child into public school. He refused to do hardly any school work for me. He would read and answer a few questions in the subjects he liked. We also put him in counseling for Defiant Disorder. So that left me with my 6th grader and my 1st grader. My 6th grader already went to school 2 periods for special services help, so I stuck him in PS too, to simplify my day. (Both are doing great, my 8th grader has a 4.0 and is running track. The only thing they couldn't offer him Algebra, so he is "re-taking" Pre-Algebra. (The teacher thinks he is a genius.) My 6th grader has had some adjustments, but he is doing very well too. (Math still being his biggest issue. He hit a wall again with multiplication and division, but Dh and I expected that. (with his learning disability ) So I'm at home with the 2 little guys. Sully is doing well. Moving Beyond the Page and him is a great fit. Right Start Math gave us fits (and more fits) so I'm switching to McRuffy. I already have all our paperwork in for next year and I'm picking out Curriculum. (Moving Beyond the Page...... just need the levels)
Sometimes school is the best decision for a family. I sent my oldest 4, and it has been a great experience. I have 2 that didn't want to work for me but do fine for a teacher at school. I'm only homeschooling my youngest.
It was one of the hardest decisions of my life, however my son had gotton out of control. He wouldn't listen to me or dh. It was the right decision for our family at the time. Putting # 3 in was for convenience but he has begged to go to school and when dh and I were discussing next year, he made sure to let us know he wants to be in school. (With his learning disabilities, going to school actually boosted his confidence because he is no longer comparing himself to his older brothers.)
My defiant child went back to public school. I still cannot stand the public schools, but she was awful!! It really was the only solution. And as much as I hate the public schools, I still see no other way to have done it. And for me to say that, it is very drastic that I feel it was needed. I cannot stand the public schools. Graduation is in a couple weeks.
I'd like to think there was another way to handle this but he was out of control. (And still has his moments. I felt like I was between a rock and a hard place. The only good thing is that our local middle school has made huge changes under a new principal. (Our local High School is decent: small and caring with a good staff. The only down side is there isn't much class options especially for highly capable students. ) We have a couple of other options if this doesn't work, but so far so good.
Glad things are working well after such a hard decision. We are at a point where on a year by year basis we discuss with the kids that hey can go to school if and when they want. They are not little and will transition at some point. I actually think it best if they do at least a couple of years of high school if not 9-12 so we can be there for the transition into the world. I don't like the idea of sending them to college cold turkey.
With my two oldest, they are looking into "running start" a college program for high school students. It is basically free of charge. (We have to purchase books, pay for tests and transportation.) This starts in 11 grade. So the plan was to put him in the high school next year.
