This is our second year of homeschooling. My dd is almost 11 and in the 5th grade. She has been telling me since the holidays that she wants to go to school next year to be in Junior High. I sort of shrugged this talk off when it first started, but this morning she asked her dad and I if she could have a 'serious conversation' with us. She had a list prepared of reasons why she wants to go to public school this fall. It really took me by surprise, this is such a mature way to handle the situation.
Her reasons include:
1. 6th grade is a fresh start for everyone. Everyone at the school will be new, not just her. She will not have a hard time fitting in.
2. In junior high school she would have many teachers, not just one or two. She would also have many classmates, not the same group of 20 kids all the time. She likes the idea of working with lots of people.
3. There are lots of extracurricular activities to try in junior high. She wants to try drama club, volleyball, choir, etc.
4. If she doesn't like it, we can always go back to homeschooling.
There were some other things on the list but the above are the ones that really got to me. I do try to provide her with 'extracurricular activities', for example she is a 4-H member and is taking a weekly jazz dance class, but some things I have had to veto because they would involve too much driving or would be too much of a disruption to our daily routine.
I am worried about how awful I thought junior high school was in my own experience. She has a sensitive soul and I think that the daily making up/breaking up of friendships would be painful for her. On the other hand, I don't want her to resent my 'protecting' her.
I do think that she is serious about wanting to go to school and that it's not a passing whim. I just don't know what to do.
Also, how do I do it? I would have to research the logistics. I mean, is it as simple as enrolling her, or would she have to have some kind of testing since she's been homeschooled for a couple of years?
Please share your thoughts, especially if you've bt,dt. Thanks.
Her reasons include:
1. 6th grade is a fresh start for everyone. Everyone at the school will be new, not just her. She will not have a hard time fitting in.
2. In junior high school she would have many teachers, not just one or two. She would also have many classmates, not the same group of 20 kids all the time. She likes the idea of working with lots of people.
3. There are lots of extracurricular activities to try in junior high. She wants to try drama club, volleyball, choir, etc.
4. If she doesn't like it, we can always go back to homeschooling.
There were some other things on the list but the above are the ones that really got to me. I do try to provide her with 'extracurricular activities', for example she is a 4-H member and is taking a weekly jazz dance class, but some things I have had to veto because they would involve too much driving or would be too much of a disruption to our daily routine.
I am worried about how awful I thought junior high school was in my own experience. She has a sensitive soul and I think that the daily making up/breaking up of friendships would be painful for her. On the other hand, I don't want her to resent my 'protecting' her.
I do think that she is serious about wanting to go to school and that it's not a passing whim. I just don't know what to do.
Also, how do I do it? I would have to research the logistics. I mean, is it as simple as enrolling her, or would she have to have some kind of testing since she's been homeschooled for a couple of years?
Please share your thoughts, especially if you've bt,dt. Thanks.
She has thought about it a lot. She is arguing logically.
I can imagine how disappointing it must be. But she sounds like she has a good head on her shoulders, has some knowledge of the situation, and has thought through the sorts of problems she might encounter. And it sounds as if she's really chomping at the bit. I'd trust her to make her decision.
. All those things you've put aside for yourself - and things you haven't even thought of yet - can be pursued and you can still have a great time with her when she's not in school.
) That is awesome!
: I would let her go and if she doesn't like it you can always bring her back home. My guess is that the novelty will wear off and she will want to come home again, but I think since she handled this in such an adult manner, you need to respect and honor her wishes.
) She has many neighborhood playmates who will be going there this fall as well, so will have buddies to walk/ride bike with to school and home. I am going to do the suggested reading from you all, and other research as well, but I feel that she may always hold it against us if we don't give her a chance. I am scared but I am so proud of her as well. I went to a gathering at a friend's house this afternoon, sort of a mom's time out, and I cried with my friends about it, but they all said I am doing the right thing too (and some of them do homeschool). It is so bittersweet. I have always known I would have to let go, and I know this is only one more baby step in that process, but I am really feeling it.
