Thinking about homeschooling...

[2lilsweetfoxes]

But, I work full time outside the home. DH works at home. So, I would not have to consider finding her a child-minder during the day. (She's 8, so too young to stay home alone ) However, he does not have time to devote hours to teaching our daughter. I'm gone from 6-7:45 in the morning, then I have to go back from 9-11:30 and then from 1-5. When I get home, I'm tired. Her brother's ABA tutor comes in from 3:30-5:30 (which may change when we change his school schedule to half-days). The baby's naptime tends to shift as her daily needs dictate. Could we come up with a schedule that works for us? I think part of the problem is shifting the paradigm that "school" must be between 8 am to 3 pm and take up all that time. A sample schedule:

7:00--wake, dress
7:30--prayer time
8:00--breakfast and cleanup (while I'm home)
9:00-11:30--independent work (reading, art, Wii, Rosetta Stone, assignments, etc. so dad can work)
11:30-1:00--lunch and cleanup (I'm home)
1:00-3:00--more independent work (same as earlier)
3:00-5:00--new material with dad--or--
5:00-7:00--new material with mom (or mom & dad)

[elizawill]

yes, i think coming up with a schedule that works would be very easy. my daughter is 8 & we are somewhat structured, and school never takes more than a couple of hours a day. my biggest question would be regarding activities. would your dd want to participate in activities or field trips outside of the home? would those opportunities be available to her with your schedules?

[2lilsweetfoxes]

It would be a "framework", not a set-in-stone schedule. Most activities in this area are geared to traditionally schooled kids. In fact, I found a ballet class that starts at 6 in the evening. If she is interested in something, she can work for hours with it. However, what about when she's "bored" and nothing is looking interesting? I find that is the time to send her either for a nap (if she's grumpy) or to the park--but during the school day, without a parent--is that a good idea? (She often goes to the park across the street without us. She knows the rule--straight to the park, nowhere else: if she wants to go to a friend's house, she needs to come home and ask first.) I'm worried about a "well-intentioned" neighbor saying something to the 'wrong' person--military families can be a bit 'gossipy'.