We have a nice homeschool group that we are a part of and enjoy. So, I don't know why they are still bugging us! The kids also take classes with this group and have playgroup at the park. It's just not the "norm" to hs so they think we shouldn't do it I suppose. My dh is for hs but he always says that I'll want them to go later like when they get into middle/high school grades. We'll see!
I feel your pain . . . First of all - Hi! i'm new here and this is my second post but the first one I read that made me want to reply. I soooo didn't know this place existed and I am stoked to the gills to be here. I too suffer from an MIL. The upshot for me is that dh is more in favor hs than I am. He's lucky he got a wife who is on the same wavelength as he is! As a result, often it is dh who deflects the comments from MIL or SIL. My FIL, comparatively, loved what we were doing, but passed away in June, so dh and I feel that we lost someone "from our corner" if you will. He was truly supportive and bought us books and took our ds on vacations and the like. It is hard when so few support what we try to do, then we lose someone who was so supportive. However, this bone of contention does have an upside as well - I knew my MIL was starting to "feel better" after the death of her dh when she started in on us about putting ds in ps. I just smiled at dh and said, "Well, we know she's doing better!"
giving up Do you ever feel like just giving up? After 7 years I still get that feeling after the kids fuss all day or we don't get far enough in school that day. Can you tell yesterday the boys fussed most of the day? LOL Most days are very good. It just happens every once in a while.
One of those days . . . On days like that I say: "Forget it! Let's go to the park!" (or McDonalds or the library if the weather is bad) Fortunately those days are few and far between in the scheme of things. I know that we can always come back to school later that day, or do more reading together that night, or have dad help later. Right now I am worried because in addition to the 4th grader and new 1st grader, I will have a preschooler as well - I could handle two, it's the third in the mix that always throws me off!
I think people feel empowered when they feel they have you "On the Spot" drilling you about hs. When some have gotten out of hand I have said, "With all due respect, this topic is not open for debate".!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Lorna we all have days like that hang in there. It will be worth it in the end. Just tell yourself you are doing what is best for the children. Everyone has bad days even adults they wish they could go home some days too. And yes some do, like golf or other things.
Lorna...I just had a day like that. We had a day of crying over work, distractions, and sickies. I managed to get dd to finish her work but I am thinking tomorrow will be spent resting and going to the dr. We all will have those days (even and especially ps teachers). I guess we just have to look at all the great days and say a few bad days in between is okay.
Wow-- Missy I am sorry you have to deal with this. My MIL always makes comments about when our kids "Go to school" I always say they are already in school. (they are 1 & 3 yo) She never says anything bad about hs or our decision but you can tell she doesnt think it is a good idea. The really funny thing is she just ran across a bunch of my dh report cards from 1-3rd grade. All the teachers comments were that my dh was a bright student but was never there. He missed like 30 some days in one period! WHAT WAS SHE THINKING?!? I have good ammo if I ever need something to keep her quiet. My dad gave us a little bit of a hard time -- it appears he thinks they need the socialization too. But luckily my mom came to our rescue-- She had a cow LOL and told my dad there is NO WAY her grandchildren are going to ps and he was CRAZY to even suggest it! ( I went to ps) I just told my dad one of the biggest reasons why I dont want my kids to go to ps is because of the SOCIALIZATION they will be subjected to there! Good luck God bless and Stay strong sister!!! Jill
Your mom sounds like mine, Jill! She was my biggest supporter from Day One, is "very proud" for homeschooling, and has even attended the homeschool convention with me (Grandparents are free!)!!! It makes it SO MUCH easier to have someone like her in my corner, especially at first when the in-laws were uneasy about things. And there's the time she went to the Family Reunion (we weren't there) when my oldest was just turning 5, and my aunt asked, "Jackie isn't REALLY going to keep that little girl out of school, is she?" and Mom let her have it with BOTH BARRELS, LOL! (Oh, BTW, that same aunt's oldest daughter is now homeschooling her three kids, the oldest being only a month older than "that little girls" and is loving it!!! Auntie had to do some backtracking REAL FAST, LOL!)
Jackie, Your mom sounds like she is really cool! Glad to hear your mom doesn't have a problem bringing out her double barrel shot gun (both barrels). I have one of those too when it comes to my kids!
