Well we're going for it

[Heavenly]

I have known for a long time that I am not cut out for homeschooling but I feel so guilty about it. I know that homeschooling is best for kids. But not when the mom has horrible health and can barely function sometimes. I have to stop living the dream reality and start living my reality. I also just don't think I can cope with being with my kids constantly for the next 18 years. Anyways school starts one week from today but if the private Christian school still has seats (which I'm pretty sure it does as I've been in contact with them) and if my in-laws are willing to help with tuition then we will be enrolling Elijah in junior kindergarten for this year. Junior kindergarten goes Tuesdays and Thursdays (Senior K goes Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays) from 8:45-3:30. It is such a long day but this school is set up with the intent of having the kids active a lot and doing lots of different activities. It really is a nice school. I am so scared but I really think it will be good for him. Now I just hope there is still space and that my in-laws will help with tuition. It is $250 canadian a month, we can only afford $100 (well we can't even really afford that but we can scrape it together) so they would need to contribute $150 a month and payments are 12 months a year so that is $1800 a year. But they are really well-off and they REALLY want the kids to go to school. Tell me I am not scarring my child for life by sending him to school!

[CarrieMF]

Public school is not going to scar the kids. Not all schools are tough & rigid or have bad teaching. How were you schooled as a child?

[Heavenly]

Public school isn't an option for us. We feel really strongly that it is not an appropriate environment for our children. What we are trying to do is enroll him in a private Christian school. If that doesn't happen then we'll wait another year to start school.

I was public schooled and it was horrible.

[SilverWillow]

.

[Sneezykids]

Why the guilt trip? Screw guilt!! You just said hs'ing is 'best' (a subjective opinion) but it's obviously not best for you and your dc.
So, why do you feel so badly? You should feel good about your decision
I think most of us have thought about hs'ing at one time or another. But, it's just one option.
Your dc is going to do fine because he has a caring and good mom!
Good luck, it sounds like a great school and good luck w/ the $ part it.

[lauren]

I dont' think you'll be scarring your child for life. I think much much good can come out of public or private school. As long as you stay involved and know what's going on, supplement when you want with extra learning, get to know the teachers, etc. it can be very cool. And there is the added bit of having a lot of other parents from the same school to chat with and get to know.

Breathe....It will be o.k.!

[Heavenly]

Well we aren't going to do it. There is space but we didn't ask my in-laws about the money because Elijah started freaking out and saying he didnt want to go. I won't force him to do something he doesn't want to do. I really would like to homeschool but I am just so overwhelmed right now with being pregnant. DH suggested we hire a mother's helper (a young girl, 12+ years old) to come 3 afternoons a week after school and stay until 6 pm when DH gets home. I said that would be a great help that way the helper can do all the craft stuff I hate to do as long as I lay it out in advance. And in the winter she can take them outside to play in the snow which I hate to do. We've got playgroups Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings and my mother is over all day Friday. Thursday we don't have anything at all. We would have the mother's helper come Monday, Tuesday and Thursday afternoon. Hopefully this will all work out well and I won't be so stressed out.

[lauren]

Glad you are happy with your decision.