No! Dd technically is not an only but there is such a big difference (10 1/2 yrs) in ages that she really is an only (especially since sd moved out of state 4 1/2 yrs ago). We had experience with the results of ps with sd and would not want that for dd. I just make sure that I take extra care to make sure she can get to see friends and hang out with other kids.
No. DD did quite well in PS, but DS not so much. For some reason, the school acted like he was the only ADHD kid they'd ever seen. He was back and forth about it for years, whether he thought it was good or not, but when his older one had trouble with PS, he was convinced that Grandma School was undoubtedly the way to go. So we're DGS's "boarding school" until they can arrange to move here. Then the younger one will start Grandma School too. There are kids to play with, mud to play in, and Cub Scouts, so he has "social outlets" - which is even better than at their house, because they live in the country with no close neighbors.
No. Spending our academic time focused solely on academics without distractions from a crowded classroom is a luxury in my eyes, not a detriment. DD's involved in numerous activities throughout the week that offer plenty of social contact with kids her age as well as other ages. If we have any challenge, it's limiting the number of activities she participates in to give us a little healthy "downtime"as a family.
