Any other diehard homeschoolers who decided to send their kids to school out there?? - Page 2

[emily31]

My older dd has been HSing since kindy, and will be entering 4th grade PS in a couple of weeks. I am not looking forward to it at all--our reasons for doing so are complicated (and I didn't receive much support on the HSing board, so I'm not going into it here). I am hoping that DD will just attend PS for either part of this year or just until completion of fifth grade and then return to HSing.

I am most upset about the change of lifestyle, and the limits that attending PS will cause. I will be continuing to HS my younger dd who is entering kindy. I'm just ready for school to start and get the beginning over with so that I can see what our life will be like.

[mamadelbosque]

Me! Sort of. I was homeschooled, and *LOVED* it and *ALWAYS* thought I'd homeschool my kids... only DS1 is now enrolled in preschool!! And he's excited, and I'm excited... but I have really mixed feelings. Part of me would really, really like to homeschool him. But, the problem is where we live: its where I grew up, and was homeschooled, true. But we had to drive an hour each way to see other homeschoolers... and that is still true. Not because there aren't others around - but because all the others (that I know of anyhow) around are extremely religious, to the point of requiring a 'statement of belief' before joing the group - which I won't sign because I don't believe.

So. He's signed up and we meet his teacher on wednesday... and I'm really second guessing myself right now. Because part of me just can't imagine not having hiim around all the time. Nor having to be home to get him on/off the bus twice a day... and thus being so 'tied down'... But another huge part of me is super excited for him - he's going to know at least one kid in his class for sure, who is like his best friend, and I know he's going to love it cause' he loves to make friends and play with other kids'n all... So yeah. Torn. Really nervous. But excited too. For him. For me & Ds2.

[mattemma04]

We have done hs,online public,public,and Montessori.Currently Montessori.While it is nice it isn't perfect(what is?),but dh wants the kids *in* a school. I would prefer an online public school. Home like I want,but schoolish enough for dh. Me being a teacher and hsing was never enough for dh.

I say if one method does not work try another.Even the same school but different teacher sometimes works.Differnet teacher,different students.In one year and out the next.You just never know year from year how it will be. I like the option of being open and switching while my dh seems to just want to stick to one thing,and lol he prefers schools that do not charge tuition.

Be open to trying it and listen to your kids. I do not like forcing a kid to finish a semester or year,but I have done it with Montessori since we pay and don't get that cash back. I ask them a million times during re-sign up if they want to go the next year.

Best wishes!

[imbarefoot]

Originally Posted by Intuition

Me! My son and I are both going to be starting school in September, and I am terrified. I'm going to be starting my pre-nursing courses, and I want to settle my son into school before I am full-time. With a combination of his special needs and extremely high-intensity personality, plus the fact that I was very isolated and depressed, and adding in a not great marriage, I felt like making these huge changes would be the best thing for all of us. I am hoping that school will add a whole dimension of things that I cannot provide for my son at home, and I really think he will thrive on the schedule. We are so lucky that we will also have a lot of transition meetings from his old SLP/school to help him ease into it, and for the school to really get a good understanding of his needs.

But I am really, really nervous.

I totally understand. We are choosing school for many of the same reasons.

[railyuh]

This is us too. We were 100% set on unschooling, and in fact I still *feel* like an unschooler and I absolutely support that philosophy and lifestyle and I want to even still call ourselves unschoolers, but I'm guessing that wouldn't fly in some circles since DS is going to pre-K this year.

Our story--last summer we had DD and after a few months of dealing with a rough pp recovery both physically and emotionally, we decided to put DS in a 2x a week preK that was play based and very low key. He needs a lot of social interaction and activity and I could barely walk across the house without feeling faint for the first month and a half pp, and a long time after that before I could get out of the house on a regular basis. It was meant to be just for that one year so DS could get some activities, play with other kids, etc. and give me more time to rest and recover and work through some stuff.

Then this summer we moved across the country and it has been very hard on our whole family. The reasons for putting DS in preK again (3x a week at a Waldorf school) are many, but none of them are for educational purposes The best way I can describe it is that given our current situation, this is the best way for everyone in our family to get all of our needs met--for DS to have the social interaction multiple times a week, make friends in a new place, and to give me the chance to get some rest and take care of myself (still working through lots of pp stuff).

We also felt like Waldorf was a really great fit for our family and our unschooling philosophy at this point in time. The program is totally play based, not academic at all. I think a lot of the things they'll do at school will be really great for DS (we think he has some sensory integration issues and a lot of the things like kneading bread, lots of outside physical play, etc. will be really good for him). They have lots of oral stories, painting and crafts, lots of free play, etc. He is in a small class so I think he'll have the chance to really make some friends. Plus as a bonus I'm hoping I'll make some new friends through his school as well.

I'm not sure if we'll send him to K next year. I sort of hope not mostly because I really want to completely unschool and that is exciting to me, and because the Waldorf school is so expensive. We won't send him past K because once they hit first grade the program isn't as play based and free as we would like. To the OP, you might want to look into Waldorf in the grades more before you decide, though obviously you have lots of time. While I feel like the Prek/K really fits with unschooling for us right now, I didn't feel the same way when I looked into how their grades work. From what I understand the grades are actually very teacher led, copying from the board or what the teacher says word for word, etc. That's not to say there aren't wonderful things about Waldorf school beyond K, because there is a lot I wish I could pick and choose! But the overall format is too structured and teacher led for us at this point. But again, you have time to figure that all out and I know for us I am just trying to focus on what is right for our whole family right now, and we'll figure the next year out next year

It is hard, I feel like a little bit of a fake. I wanted to go to an unschooling conference near me this summer but felt like it would be weird since I'm sending my 4 year old to school, you know? But I really *feel* like an unschooler. In many ways I feel like this waldorf program isn't school at all, but more like a 3xa week playgroup that I don't have to stay and watch, you know? It is kind of like being caught between 2 worlds and not really fitting in with either. I want to make some unschooling/homeschooling connections here, but what will they think when they find out my son is in school? Plus I know our families think we are finally coming to our senses and next year or the year after when aren't in school anymore they're probably going to give us a hard time. Not that it matters, but I'd rather not have to explain things all over again or face that kind of discouragement.

[CherryBomb]

I'm still hsing dd1, but dd2 has special needs and she's going to ps kindergarten. It was a hard decision to make, but I feel like it's the best thing for her.

[imbarefoot]

I did look into the curriculum for the older years, definitely. I'm actually really OK with it. I've always felt like my kids should be hardcore unschooled at the early years with more and more structure as they get older. I love the things they teach at this school, as they grow- German, Old Testament History, Woodworking, Lyre and String instrument playing, and more. I can always change my mind if we feel like it's no longer a good fit. But for now, we're really excited about it. At this school, it goes through 8th grade and it's the same price from K-8th grade. This particular school offers scholarships, so that's what has allowed us to be able to do this.

[Lisa1970]

I am a pretty die hard homeschooler. But, more of, I hate our local schools. If there was a really good interesting school that had a point to it, I would not mind sending them. My oldest two, I wanted to send them someplace for high school, but everything has turned out to be rotten.

[imbarefoot]

I understand that Lisa. I've come to realize that maybe it wasn't that I was so much a die hard homeschooler. It's that I'm die hard anti public school (at least for us and in this area) and because of that, I turned to die hard homescooler. Which in all reality, isn't realistic for my family and our personalities. Neither my husabnd or myself are disciplined enough to do it and we just couldn't offer what my 4yo was needing and wanting. More later, kids calling!

[railyuh]

Yeah, our school teachings a lot of great things too, so great to find a school that teaches music, woodworking, lots of art, etc. And the projects by the students hanging in the halls are just amazing. It is definitely an inspiring environment. I wish there was a way to benefit from the things that we like without having to be in a classroom all day, but I definitely find the school in general very appealing

[Millie Ivy]

I am so glad this thread stuck around!

Update- Kids are all enrolled, starting on Monday. They are excited, I'm even excited, and we have met the teachers etc. DD's teacher is fantastic! She is super laid back and positive and other than the school rules, her orientation was all about how she planned on supporting the kids and helping them meet their goals. She focused on positive reinforcements instead of punitive and her language was very non aggressive, etc.

ds's teacher is the same one dd had when they tried out school for a few weeks a couple years ago (2nd grade) and while she is very nice, she has such a foreign approach to what we do that I am a little worried. It might be great, and they might be a wonderful fit, but she is so focused on each "benchmark" and grade and her entire orientation was on the homework and what punishments basically will be equated after missing this or that. Just a different feel.

Because we are coming in from hs, they will be tested the first week for placement. I don't really think my kids will be ahead or behind enough to be moved, but I almost hope that ds would get moved to 3rd. He already is in 2 because he missed the cut off by a couple days (sept bday) and is reading so far ahead of what they had in the classroom. I didn't feel that way before visiting his class, I was actually fine with him being the oldest but now.... :[ not sure! I am sure that whatever works out will be ok though. Just have to wait and see.

[imbarefoot]

I agree Railyuh!

Shelley, I hope everything ends up working out for your family and the new school. Sending good vibes!

[coleslaw]

I think only this crowd will appreciate my recent frustration. I'm getting so sick of how many times the grandparents tell my kids how proud they are of my kids for going to school and how over-the-moon excited they are that they are going ( the gp's so excited the kids are going). They were never happy about us hsing so I get it but it's really getting to me. They never even tried to understand or be a part of my kids schooling before but NOW it's like a miracle has occurred!! One set even sent some money which was never done before. Another bought more clothes, because they'll need them for school. Because of course they went naked last year while hsing and we never bought any school supplies or books or took classes then! Don't get me wrong, I'm not ungrateful for the gifts, just annoyed at the undertone of which they are being given. Thanks for letting me vent!!

[emily31]

Originally Posted by coleslaw

I think only this crowd will appreciate my recent frustration. I'm getting so sick of how many times the grandparents tell my kids how proud they are of my kids for going to school and how over the moon excited they are that they are going ( the go so excited the kids are going). They were never happy about us using so I get it but it's really getting to me. They never even tried to understand or be a part of my kids schooling before but NOW it's like a miracle has occurred. One set even sent some money which was never done before. Another bought more clothes, because they'll need them for school. Because of course they went naked last year while hsing and we never bought any school supplies or books or took classes then! Don't get me wrong, I'm not ungrateful for the gifts, just annoyed at the undertone of which they are being given. Thanks for letting me vent!!

I can completely and totally relate to everyone saying how excited they are that dd is going to school. I always thought it was pretty exciting that she was homeschooling-- I went to public school, and it was never particularly exciting to me. I just tell myself they are trying to make her feel more comfortable or welcome in the school.

I think it's funny how all my dd's friends' parents say how much their kids love their schools etc, but then you ask the kids and they aren't nearly as enthusiastic.

[purslaine]

It looks like DD (11) may choose to go to school.

I have a question - what do you do (or intend to do) if the school does something you don't like?

I do not hold many of the same beliefs as school and I do not know how this is going to work out. I can see me letting go of smaller stuff - but bigger stuff?

I think a root issue is I do not trust schools (negative experiences plus - why should I trust them - I do not know them). Do I trust my DD - yes, and that is the only reason she is being allowed to go (but I also acknowledge that she is a child/preteen - and still in some need of mother protection). Sigh and ugh. Just a vent - be gentle if you reply.

[dillonandmarasmom]

Originally Posted by kathymuggle

It looks like DD (11) may choose to go to school.

I have a question - what do you do (or intend to do) if the school does something you don't like?I do not hold many of the same beliefs as school and I do not know how this is going to work out. I can see me letting go of smaller stuff - but bigger stuff?

I think a root issue is I do not trust schools (negative experiences plus - why should I trust them - I do not know them). Do I trust my DD - yes, and that is the only reason she is being allowed to go (but I also acknowledge that she is a child/preteen - and still in some need of mother protection). Sigh and ugh. Just a vent - be gentle if you reply.

Hm. I think it would really depend on what it is that I am not liking, as well as whether or not I have any influence at all in how/if/why it is even being done. Clear as mud?

Can you give an example of "bigger stuff"?

My kids have been in school now for two weeks, and I have really tried to be there just to drop off nad pick up. If I let myself, I know I could be there all. day. long. But, I am trying to show my kids that I have confidence in the teachers, and that I believe this new experience is a good one.

Am I 100% feeling this on the inside?? Oh, h*lls no! But, I am not going to let my issues and my insecurities and/or fears about school play into their experience, kwim?

If any BIG issues come up, you can bet I will be there to play my part and more, though! (I think I am just sitting here waiting to be needed, lol!)

[mom2tig99Nroo03]

this is my kids' second week in school. they both like their teachers, but are both not enjoying other aspects. (getting picked on).

ds already wants to be hs again next year, and i'm determined to be well enough to be a good teacher again.

we're giving this a solid year unless something huge happens to make us rethink it.

[Millie Ivy]

We are only on day three, but so far its going wonderfully. DS isn't totally sold on it, but he is having a fine time. DD is loving it so much she is getting out of bed quickly in the morning ans she is my night owl/sleep til 12 girl.

A drawback, sort of, is that me ex just pulled a really douchebag sort of move. Without prewarning the kids, or me, he isn't going to regularly be getting them on their afternoon during the week. He wants more weekend time, but he isn't going to pick them up for their wednesday afternoon, after school, because.... he has to work he says (he owns his own business and has always had them on wed) and he has to pick up the two kids that just moved in with him (his girlfriends best friend moved into their house with her two kids. They are all nice but. wow, to not get your own children bc you are going to pick up somebody else's?) from school. Ouch.
Ds was in tears when he heard this last night, and I wanted to throttle my ex. He never said a word about changing the schedule before I asked if he was all set to pick them up, knew where to go etc.

OK, vent over. On the plus side, they will be more likely to eat healthy all week if they aren't having a bunch of meals there, and I work almost every saturday so they might as well be with him then, too.

blah.

[emily31]

I just took my dd this morning to day three of school. Day one was fun, but she came home yesterday and cried all afternoon asking to not make me take her back. She hated how long and boring it was (that the teachers just read out of books all day), they didn't get to talk all day (even at lunch), is totally lost in the almost two hour math class (mostly lecture). She said her homeroom teacher is sooo mean, and that every time she blinked her eyes, she just kept seeing her mean face. I had a hard time taking her this morning--sure hope today is better.

[Sharlla]

i thought about it. we bought a house with a school down the street but a neighbor told me she pulled her kids out and the school caused nothing but prolems for her. made me kind of nervous so i decided against it
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