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Withdrawing son tomorrow from PS...


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I'm nervous!  We are three weeks in with DS (13) and it's going so well that we've decided to add DS (10) to mix.  With the oldest, it was a situation where he wasn't getting what he needed from the public school and I knew I couldn't do any worse.  The youngest is an advanced student (so they are about on the same level) who is doing well in school and it scares me that I might not be able to give him what he needs.  But he really wants to homeschool, his brother wants him to join us, he hates school, he has always hated school, it's boring, it's repetitive, you sit too long, etc. etc.  Many reasons to do it and he has been trying hard to build his case since this year started, and really those are the same things he says every year. I guess I just need some encouragement that I can do this, especially when he's in an advanced subject that is beyond my ability to help.  I know people do it all the time, right?  How, though?? 

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Relax, mama. You will do just fine. I will tell you what I tell every first time homeschooling mom: the first year is a lot like the first year of marriage. You will now be spending more time with people you thought you knew only to discover their quirks and idiosyncrasies previously unbeknownst to you. This first year of homeschooling is more about the relationships than academics. And that's okay. You can do this!

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I believe there are still some openings in the WTM classes.

 

There are certain curricula that have excellent teacher guides, too--

 

What subject(s) are you uncomfortable with--if you want to tell us, I'll bet someone could chime in with some courses they have experience with.

 

Right now I'm good; it's just high school that worries me.  I know we will cross that bridge when it comes but I'm not a "play it by ear" kind of person.  So something like high school chemistry or maybe Algebra 2 or Calculus.  I guess those things can be done online. 

 

Maybe it's just the finality of it.  I don't know!!!

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You can do it!

 

Remember to give yourself a lot of patience. It takes a while to really find your groove and figure out what works best for everyone when it comes to scheduling, curricula, activities..... So if you hit a point when you're just not sure things are really working, take a deep breath, and figure it out. You'll get through those moments having learned something new about how your school works.

 

And the way you're feeling right now is totally normal. It's a little like that moment before you jump off the high dive, when you think to yourself, "I could just turn around and climb back down the ladder right now. Last chance!" Take a deep breath and jump! :)

 

Cat

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You can do it!

 

Remember to give yourself a lot of patience. It takes a while to really find your groove and figure out what works best for everyone when it comes to scheduling, curricula, activities..... So if you hit a point when you're just not sure things are really working, take a deep breath, and figure it out. You'll get through those moments having learned something new about how your school works.

 

And the way you're feeling right now is totally normal. It's a little like that moment before you jump off the high dive, when you think to yourself, "I could just turn around and climb back down the ladder right now. Last chance!" Take a deep breath and jump! :)

 

Cat

 

Exactly!!!!!!!! That's it!  With older brother I felt like I didn't have a choice.  With my 10 year old, it is different. 

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I think it's great that they want to do homeschool together. You are so lucky to be able to help them build a strong relationship. Family bonding is one of the most important thing I like about homeschooling.

 

Like pps wrote, you'll be fine. There are online classes and this forum to help you. :)

 

Plus, you don't have to be gifted to raise a gifted child. :)

 

Good luck and have fun!

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You will be okay.  He will be okay.  You will both be better than okay.  My 9 year old scares the poop out of me sometimes (figuratively, not literally), and that might honestly happen, but it will be okay.  As long as you are really open with communication, then everyone will get what they need.  The Hive here has been the greatest resource and support for me with my advanced kiddo.  They are wonderful and we are fortunate to have another voice in the mix.  Everyone gets to learn from each other; that is the best part of homeschooling!

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I didn't feel quite so worried when I withdrew DD from school because her last year was awful for her.  But I am worried about homeschooling high school because holy carp, I am *it* as her school at a critical time.  I was also worried at withdrawing DS because it was at that time that we said goodbye to our little neighborhood school forever.  If we go back to school, it will be private, so as much as that school was sweet and lovely through 3rd grade and is no longer, those early-elementary years give good memories.

Right now I'm good; it's just high school that worries me.  I know we will cross that bridge when it comes but I'm not a "play it by ear" kind of person.  So something like high school chemistry or maybe Algebra 2 or Calculus.  I guess those things can be done online. 

 

Maybe it's just the finality of it.  I don't know!!!

 

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…  I am worried about homeschooling high school because holy carp, I am *it* as her school at a critical time. 

 

:grouphug: Hugs. With all the homeschool curricula with video lessons, online tutorials and helps, local co-ops and tutors, online classes, podcasts and DVD lecture series, and dual enrollment, it has become increasingly less stressful and easier to homeschool high school because you have so many OPTIONS! What's hard now is sorting through all your options and deciding which of the MANY options you like the best. :)

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I didn't feel quite so worried when I withdrew DD from school because her last year was awful for her.  But I am worried about homeschooling high school because holy carp, I am *it* as her school at a critical time.  I was also worried at withdrawing DS because it was at that time that we said goodbye to our little neighborhood school forever.  If we go back to school, it will be private, so as much as that school was sweet and lovely through 3rd grade and is no longer, those early-elementary years give good memories.

 

Yes!  Your situation sounds exactly the same as mine.  This would be his last year in this school and for the most part, it has been ok.  He never liked it but then there were never any serious issues either.  

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Congratulations!!

 

Please don't get ahead of yourself in worry. You are worrying about teaching calculus and chemistry when you are pulling a 10 yo out of ps. You have plenty of time. Take one year at a time. I pulled my oldest at 11 and my youngest at 10. It will work and you can do it. If you reach a point you need help, you will find it.

 

When ds wanted to learn Japanese  :blink: we found video based curriculum, then enrolled him in college classes. When his writing was so much better than mine that I could no longer give feedback... AP English. Dd is going to start taking classes at the CC this spring although she is a sophomore and 15 and the rules say junior and 16. We've already met with their homeschool admissions person to make it happen.

 

One year at a time, we've had a wonderful experience homeschooling. There have been good days and bad days, but the years have been wonderful. Your kids want to do this. You want to do it. You'll make it work. There is plenty of support here when you need it.

 

Enjoy!!

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Congratulations!!

 

Please don't get ahead of yourself in worry. You are worrying about teaching calculus and chemistry when you are pulling a 10 yo out of ps. You have plenty of time. Take one year at a time. I pulled my oldest at 11 and my youngest at 10. It will work and you can do it. If you reach a point you need help, you will find it.

 

When ds wanted to learn Japanese  :blink: we found video based curriculum, then enrolled him in college classes. When his writing was so much better than mine that I could no longer give feedback... AP English. Dd is going to start taking classes at the CC this spring although she is a sophomore and 15 and the rules say junior and 16. We've already met with their homeschool admissions person to make it happen.

 

One year at a time, we've had a wonderful experience homeschooling. There have been good days and bad days, but the years have been wonderful. . There is plenty of support here when you need it.

 

Enjoy!!

"Your kids want to do this. You want to do it. You'll make it work."  That really resonates with me. 

 

And I know there is wonderful support on this board.  So many people have helped so much already, and not just in responses to my posts but to many of the other ones as well. 

 

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Right now I'm good; it's just high school that worries me.  I know we will cross that bridge when it comes but I'm not a "play it by ear" kind of person.  So something like high school chemistry or maybe Algebra 2 or Calculus.  I guess those things can be done online. 

 

 

Does your state have online public charters for free at the HS level?

That would give you some control without all the responsibility.

 

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Does your state have online public charters for free at the HS level?

That would give you some control without all the responsibility.

 

 

They do not at this point but that can change.  Also, they do have an online school that I could pay for if he needs certain classes, so that would be an option.  Thank you for pointing that out!

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So something like high school chemistry or maybe Algebra 2 or Calculus. I guess those things can be done online.

The private schools here have Algebra 1, Algebra 2 and Geometry summer classes for credit that cost about as much as summer camp.

Chemistry and Calculus can be done at community college

 

There are online options just that my boys love classes in a physical classroom so I have to keep a lookout for those.

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I homeschooled just one child for almost 2 years before bringing the other one home. The plan was to only homeschool the second child for one year, but both boys ended out graduating at home.

 

It turned out funny, that I think the child that didn't NEED to homeschool, and that we never planned to homeschool, might have benefitted the most. His education was anything but traditional and described as educational neglect by many, but…it was what he needed at the time. Children are body and soul as much as mind, and that child needed body and soul work. Body and soul work that would have never happened sitting in a classroom or at the dining room table. He spent most of his teen years working out on the docks alongside high functioning drug addicts and seasonal workers from Thailand and Nepal. He came home hurting and stinking every night, and loved it.

 

He didn't learn algebra or chemistry out on the docks, but he he learned other things that were as important, maybe more important.

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They do not at this point but that can change.  Also, they do have an online school that I could pay for if he needs certain classes, so that would be an option.  Thank you for pointing that out!

 

If you decide to go this route I would contact someone in the state education dept - it seems like most states these days have some free/almost free online option available.

 

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