[purslaine]

:

In March of 2006 I pulled my daughter from school (Grade 2). She was lonely, and unchallenged - she also suffered from poor sleep that may or may not have been related to school (she had difficulty falling asleep and claimed to be "terrrified" at night.)

Fast forward to the present - she is "bored and missing her friends" and talking of returning to school in the Fall! The irony of course, is that this is exact reason she left school.

I admit I have not done much with her in the way of homeschooling, I have had a work at home contract that has taken up much of my time. While I know this contract is temporary (and is coming to an end) her experience of homeschooling thus far has been that she is pretty much left to her own devices.

OK - my dilemma is this: Do I put her back in school as she wants? I do not really want to do this as I feel we have not really given homeschooling a shot, BUT I have always allowed my children some say in their schooling. If I do this I will insist she be tested for giftedness as i think this is part of the reason she found school "unchallenging". (I gently inquired at the school before but have always been dismissed

: ).

Or do I keep her home? Which is what I am leaning towards - I also have a fear that if she goes back to school, she will want "out" again - and I do not want her bouncing back and forth. I think the school might give me some problems if I do THAT.

I think I know what I am going to do (although opinions still sought) I am mostly venting.

 

[UUMom]

My hsers like being with their friends sometimes, so we make time for that. Have you considered joining a hsing group?

My 7 yr old has never been to school and says she never wants to go to school, but she oftens asks for friends to come over. I think you have to separate wanting to play with others regularly from wanting to attend school.

 

[OTMomma]

I'd ask her to agree to stay home for the first half of the year (or whatever time frame makes sense to you) and try homeschooling a little longer. I would also join a HS group or sign her up for dance classes or some other class that will help break things up.

Follow your heart.

 

[Lovenest]

I would say to keep her at home for at least half the year.
I would have her be as much as involved as you can about choosing what curriculum you want to use. Then choosing field trips for the next few months. Then choosing either dance, gymnastics, soccer,music or some type of activity she can go to at least once a week.
Maybe make a calender for her so she can see what fun she is going to have.
Have all the field trips, activities and dates for playing with her friends on there.

I think if you act excited she will follow.
Dont tell her she HAS TO stay home for at least half a year. I would ask her to have a special dinner and chat about school at home. Then tell her how excited about all the stuff you guys can do, and ask her what she wants to learn.

Good luck!

 

[embers]

Are there any private schools, montissori schools, Waldorf, etc...? Some of these will allow students to go part time (maybe 3 days a week instead of 5). They may could provide he the stimulation, interaction, and content that she seems to be longing for - and you can still homeschool the other days - joining a HS group, getting her into gymnastics/martial arts/chess lessons/dance/horse riding/yoga/etc... some class(es) that she may like exploring?

 

[purslaine]

Thanks all for the rsponses.

Sometimes the boards here get so busy you don't realise other people have responded.

I think I will keep her home until Christmas - we really have not given Homeschooling much of a shot. I need to figure out a plan to get everyone psyched - and out of the rut we are in.

She does take music, but it is a solitary sort of class. In my mind (perhaps not hers), she does socialise enough with neighbour children - I wonder if the continual desire to see her friends every day is actually healthy...( in a "take back your kids" sort of way). Kids need to self-entertain somewhat.

We live in a rural village, and the homeschooler around here are mostly, but not exclusively, religous. We are not - and don't fit in very well. I need to be more proactive in getting together with homeschoolers we do get along with.

I may enrol her in Saturday morning classes for gifted children - it may give her some of the challenge she seems to need.

kathy