Do you ever feel yourself wavering?

[Hopefulmama]

DD is trying the K-4 program through our state's cyber school. It's Calvert, and it's pretty easy for her. She enjoys it and it was a good compromise for us because she really wanted to go to school. Where she gets that, I don't know. Only one friend goes to pre-school and we only see her occasionally. DH and I had decided that we wanted to home school if we could for many reasons. It seems feasible for us. However, I took DD to a class at the zoo, and she LOVED the classroom environment. She said she wished she could be in a class like that all of the time. We also go to a library class that she loves. We tend to stick to a routine, but it has been disrupted lately because we were moving. I digress. We also have a 19 month old and it's hard to teach DD when he is getting into everything. I know that it will get better as he gets older. However, as much as I love my kids, I sometimes worry that we will get sick of each other being together 24/7. Do you know what I mean? Have you felt like this? If so what did you do to combat those feelings? I feel like home schooling is better on so many levels, but will DD really thrive if she does so well in a traditional classroom setting? I know a four year old doesn't really know what traditional school is like. She is enjoying a class in small doses. Am I over-thinking this? Worrying too much? We have friends on both ends of the spectrum. Hard-core home-schoolers that will never consider public school, and the other families will never consider home-schooling. I see both sides and ultimately I know we have to do what is best for our family/individual child. I just worry that I will be able to give them what they need to be capable, well-rounded, educated adults. Sorry for the ramblings. Have you been here before?

[pigpokey]

No, I don't really. My daughter likes classes and sports training, takes a ton of it, and that's very different from being in a full time classroom with all the inefficiency that brings. It's just not the same at all.

[MaterBum]

Yes, I've been there before! And I've talked to other HS'ers IRL who have felt/worried/thought/considered those ideas, too.

When I find myself fretting about such things, here's what I do to re-focus:

1. Remember (as you implied and the pp mentioned) that ALL day, EVERY day group learning is different from classes here and there in subjects she really enjoys. Think how much MORE balanced and rounded of an education she is receiving by being exposed to less traditional forms of learning coupled with more traditional classroom settings. She's learning to thrive in both! Kids in school all day every day rarely have exposure to more free-form learning.

2. Think of the school day in terms of real learning time. To me, real learning time is when an individual is willingly focused on and enjoying thinking about material being discussed. Take away all the time for lining up to go to the restroom, the time it takes for 20 or more kids to go to the restroom, the time to line up for lunch, then eat lunch, then line up again, etc. etc. All the fabulous things imagined going on at school quickly disappear in my mind when I break a school day down in this manner.

3. Admit that there are some positives going on at the school. Then try to find a way to get that benefit for your child. For instance, if she loves the group learning model, seek out (as it sounds you're doing!) some of those opportunities. If she's craving more play mates, seek those out in other hs groups. If it's the cool science projects, make your own little co-op to do science once a week or month.

4. Admit that hs'ing isn't going to be perfect and blissful every minute of every day. That's okay. Going to school wouldn't be either. There would be conflicts with kids, with teachers, with aides, etc. at some point during the years. There would be family time interrupted for homework, for conferences, etc.

I hope at least one thing on here helps you figure out what is best for you and yours. But trust me when I say that not all of us are 100% confident 100% of the time. And I know that the same would be true if my kids were IN school: I'd be second-guessing that decision from time-to-time, too. Deep breaths. One day at a time. That's the best we can do!

[MaterBum]

Just had another thought about your worries. You said you're afraid of not liking each other all the time. School won't remove that worry from the equation, either. I'm thinking of my neighbor whose daughter does go to school. Their time spent together is little and combative. In the morning, it's a battle to get her dd up and ready on time for the bus. After school, it's a battle to get homework and chores done. So my point is that hs'ing actually may afford more peaceable hours together since things can be more flexible.

Burn out is something perhaps more of a concern? That's where having breaks with those little classes and playing at a friend's house are lifesavers, imo!

[Ruthiegirl]

My kids love classes too. But classes are not school. Classes bring a 'newness' to learning. New people, new places, new ideas, new things, new toys. Of course she loves classes!

My son went to preschool last year and adored it....for one week. New classroom, new teacher, new friends, new everything! What a joy it was for that week. But then, it became monotonous. It became boring. The discipline started. Stay in your seat...no talking without raising your hand...gone was the newness and the adventure.

We have been homeschooling for a few years now and yes, there are days when we need break from one another. So, we take a break. We take classes, we go to the playground, we go to the science center. We get back out there and explore something 'new', something we can learn about and talk about and be excited about.

Your daughter is very young. Take it slow and be gentle with yourself. This is a big deal for everyone involved. Do what feels right, what inspires your daughter and know that the rough patches are temporary.

[Hopefulmama]

Thank you for all of your input, suggestions, support, and reassurance. I feel like I was second-guessing myself and it was good for me to hear from others who have BTDT. Thanks again. I am sure I will be here in this forum more often!