MedicMom Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 My five year old is bright and doesn't play well with others and has no use for busywork whatsoever. We decided to homeschool this year for those reasons. I am seriously having second thoughts, but I don't know if I'm just stressed over the baby's new health issues and seeing everyone's cute back to school photos. I had honestly thought we could plug into the homeschool community, but everything--every single thing--I can find locally is held on Fridays. I work every other Friday, even though I've scaled back to part time, and the reaction I got when I suggested whoever is caring for him(whether dad, grandma or nanny) bring him was, um, icy. There are no park days or field trips I can find either, it's all co-ops and we aren't sending him specifically because he simply can't handle a classroom yet. I know it's a small area, but he is lonely(and so am I) and i had hoped to plug into a community somewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
73349 Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 Have you considered starting a park day on a different day, and inviting the co-op folks to join you? 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedicMom Posted September 2, 2015 Author Share Posted September 2, 2015 I attempted that. I suspect that most have older children and can't take another day off of school to let the littles play in the park, especially when their littles are getting weekly socialization at co-op. I advertised a play group on our local facebook site but got no response. Kids here are mostly in preschool all day by age 3, and the homeschooled pre-k/kindergarteners have older siblings who have busy schedules. I do understand that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MomatHWTK Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 Unless you want the social interaction, I wouldn't worry about being connected with other h'sers at all. Do what fits your family. I personally would be hunkered down and recovering after such a stressful year, not looking for more stuff to do. But, I'm an introvert to the extreme. ;) Would you be OK with just snuggling up with good books and enjoying each others' company for a year and then revisiting your decision or would you be unhappy with no social outlets? Does your local library have a toddler time? Are there any local mother's day out programs? I know he is older, but you might still be able to participate. 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alisoncooks Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 When my girls were that age, we had no hs community. I found that hitting the local playground right after the public school let out for the day was a good way to find playmates. Some became regulars, the rest were a floating cast of kids to play with. My girls didn't care. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 Unless you want the social interaction, I wouldn't worry about being connected with other h'sers at all. Do what fits your family. I personally would be hunkered down and recovering after such a stressful year, not looking for more stuff to do. But, I'm an introvert to the extreme. ;) Would you be OK with just snuggling up with good books and enjoying each others' company for a year and then revisiting your decision or would you be unhappy with no social outlets? Does your local library have a toddler time? Are there any local mother's day out programs? I know he is older, but you might still be able to participate. :iagree: Also, if you put your son in school, he will be bringing home a lot of germs to your little one, and that might be a concern for you. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedicMom Posted September 2, 2015 Author Share Posted September 2, 2015 I'm an introvert. I sometimes wish I had some friends to vent to or just escape to dinner with; but I manage. My son is not and has said very specifically that he's lonely. I had kept telling him to hang on until kindergarten and we'd do things with other people. I hadn't expected everything to be co-ops.(I was remembering being homeschooled in the 80s and 90s; it was very different as far as homeschool activities went. There was maybe art and gym classes, but a lot of it was just free play during the day while the moms sat on benches and talked. Very different world here now.) I really need a year to rest, which is why I'm not pushing starting my own group. But I will keep pursuing that if I need to. The library groups are a good idea. They break for summer and we haven't done them in the past because of my work schedule, but now that I'm part time(husband's injured arm is finally surgically fixed and he will be fully back to work soon), that opens up some time for that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucyStoner Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 I wouldn't let them stop you from sending him e/o Friday with dad or grandma. They can deal. The icy response was likely just some people, not all the people. Perhaps you will be a trend setter. 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katy Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 He sounds like homeschool is really a better fit for him. I think you're doing the right thing. :grouphug: 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mama Geek Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 How about something like a gymnastics class or a karate class? I have dd who is 5 in a gym and a dance class and she really enjoys both of those. She is also going to be doing swim team. She and I ride bikes together and do school work and often times don't have time to go to the park. We also tend to do lots of things on weekends. We have friends that are adults that just love her to death and she loves visiting with them too. That happens at least once a week. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 Your feelings are normal. I felt the same in the beginning. I'm going on 9 years and I still have my moments. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brehon Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 My question is what will have changed at the school to ensure he is successful socially and academically? I remember your past threads about the other schools he tried. And I understand about icy receptions in playgroups, etc. What my poor dh endured as the token male at some of these groups was beyond disgusting. What else, besides PS or playgroup, is available that your ds would have fun at and be successful? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 We've never been plugged into a homeschool community (well, except for a few brief months going to a park day). We utilize the Y, sports and other outlets in our community where my kids have made friends. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingersmom Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 Homeschool or weekend bowling league? Soccer through rec dept? After school art classes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthwestMom Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 I really think it's ok to prioritize YOUR recovery at this point. If homeschooling works for you, GREAT - but if not, try him in school - maybe it will be a good fit for him! Maybe he will love it! Yes, I've read your old threads.... but maybe it will work, and if it doesn't, you can pull him out then. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsheresomewhere Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Do you have any bowling alleys near you? If so, call and ask if they have any homeschool leagues. Some will be weekly, some will be every other week and most of the ones we are families with are come when you can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedicMom Posted September 3, 2015 Author Share Posted September 3, 2015 His grandparent's church that he attends as well has an excellent, well established k-6th school. The kindergarten teacher and all the staff are familiar with DS and would love to have him attend. With Caden's mounting medical bills we simply can't afford it this year. They don't have a lot in the way of scholarships and we just can't swing it right now. It's an excellent school and like everything else, you get what you pay for. It's the double edged sword of small town living. We don't have a parks and rec. We tried karate but his sensory issues got in the way(they required the kids to be barefoot and he couldn't handle the feeling of the mat on his feet). He is delayed in gross motor function but got denied OT this year, so I have tried to steer him away from things like soccer. DS is the kid who will be on the sideline dissecting and analyzing the dandelions anyway. I do have a lead on a Lego club. I think I just feel completely inadequate to meet everyone's needs right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 You don't have to be perfect. You don't have to meet everyone's needs right now. Your son is still a little kid. Whatever choice you make regarding his schooling will be the right one for your family at this point in time. Neither option is bad, and neither option has to be permanent. You can change your mind at any time and nothing bad will happen. I hate to see you stressing about this after all you have been through recently. :grouphug: 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppy Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Why not just try it? Do a few months of PS, and see if it makes both him and yourself happier. You can always change your mind. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedicMom Posted September 3, 2015 Author Share Posted September 3, 2015 Why not just try it? Do a few months of PS, and see if it makes both him and yourself happier. You can always change your mind. Our public school isn't really an option. He was in their pre-k half of last year and it was a disaster. I frankly don't have the physical or emotional energy to be constantly advocating for him in that setting right now. He's 2E and they aren't equipped at all to handle him. I'm not sure I am, but I've been managing for five years. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 OK - so what I'm reading is that you feel like he needs homeschooling to meet his academic needs. But you want to meet his social needs. And you're in a small town. I don't think that most young kids have a lot of social needs but if he is truly lonely then I can see why you would want to address it. But my personal opinion is that it doesn't have to be addressed every day. Also- as the mom of a 2E kid - sometimes their 2E-ness (made up a new word there) can keep them from getting close friendships until they've been able to learn some more social skills (which happens gradually as they get older). He will feel a bit less lonely as you start homeschooling because that will occupy some of his time. Do you live in a neighborhood with kids? Is there a town playground? Can someone take him after school or on weekends? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneStepAtATime Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Are you saying that family/friends that would be watching him every other Friday are the ones not interested in taking him to co-op? Are they anti-homeschooling in general or just not hip on being responsible for driving him? And I fully understand having a 2e kid that needs others around. DS does not function well at all without frequent interaction with peers. Just like too much interaction drains my DD, too little drains my DS. It always has. Frequently just sitting around with me isn't nearly, nearly enough. HI think getting the other caretakers on board with driving him to co-op, seeing what the library has to offer, and maybe just showing up at the park after school might be your best bet. One thing I found was that the more I interacted with other homeschoolers the more I was able to network and find things that better fit our needs. While it looked like there was almost nothing in our area when we started homeschooling 3 years ago, there is actually quite a bit. It was just really hard to find stuff unless you are already part of the community. Connecting with the co-ops gave me connections to other things we prefer to the co-op groups. Before co-op we had no outside access. Now we don't need a co-op to make those connections. Huge hugs and best wishes. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Could you ask the grandparents to help with tuition? That is common in this area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HSmomof2 Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 I wouldn't let them stop you from sending him e/o Friday with dad or grandma. They can deal. The icy response was likely just some people, not all the people. Perhaps you will be a trend setter. You don't have to be perfect. You don't have to meet everyone's needs right now. Your son is still a little kid. Whatever choice you make regarding his schooling will be the right one for your family at this point in time. Neither option is bad, and neither option has to be permanent. You can change your mind at any time and nothing bad will happen. I hate to see you stressing about this after all you have been through recently. :grouphug: ^^^ITA From what I've read, it sounds like sending him to school would be more stressful for both you and him. I agree about checking with the library for activities, maybe activities after school (gymnastics, etc.), or frequenting the same local playground a few days/week after school. Do you know anyone with a child around your ds's age that you could get together with regularly? Even one friend to get together with every week or so would probably be enough at his age. Also, if you want to do a Friday activity, there's no reason your dh or grandparents shouldn't be able to take him. Don't worry about an icy reception. Maybe they were just more surprised or concerned about attendance rather than being icy. I'm working part-time this year, and dh will be taking dc to co-op and a couple other activities when I'm at work. I just informed the co-op of how that would work out and that our parent responsibilities would be fulfilled. (I didn't get an icy reception, but the director did appreciate that I explained how it was going to work for us this year. She was more concerned we would miss weeks due to my work, which would leave them in a pinch to replace me as a helper. Once that was cleared up, they were fine.) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucyStoner Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Are you saying that family/friends that would be watching him every other Friday are the ones not interested in taking him to co-op? Are they anti-homeschooling in general or just not hip on being responsible for driving him? It sounded to me like she was saying the co-op person or people she spoke to was icy to a child attending with a caregiver besides mom. To which I say: they can just get over it. If I misread that and it's the dad and caregivers who don't want to take him, that's different. Though I'd tell a dad in that situation to just get over it too. See, it's advice that works for many situations. That said, the picture I am getting is that: Co-op- out because he's not ready for classes Public school- out Private school- out due to cost Homeschooling with no activities- out due to wanting social activities. In which case, something is going to have to give and one of the things that seems out now will be your K plan. I think he sounds like a child who would benefit from homeschooling. I definitely don't dismiss the social issues raised, but I think you can find a way to work with him that will meet both of your needs. Are you on any list serves or facebook groups for area homeschoolers? There may be more than you think available. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneStepAtATime Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 It sounded to me like she was saying the co-op person or people she spoke to was icy to a child attending with a caregiver besides mom. To which I say: they can just get over it. If I misread that and it's the dad and caregivers who don't want to take him, that's different. Though I'd tell a dad in that situation to just get over it too. See, it's advice that works for many situations. That said, the picture I am getting is that: Co-op- out because he's not ready for classes Public school- out Private school- out due to cost Homeschooling with no activities- out due to wanting social activities. In which case, something is going to have to give and one of the things that seems out now will be your K plan. I think he sounds like a child who would benefit from homeschooling. I definitely don't dismiss the social issues raised, but I think you can find a way to work with him that will meet both of your needs. Are you on any list serves or facebook groups for area homeschoolers? There may be more than you think available. Ah, that makes sense. Honestly, we have had a few issues here, too, with someone other than a parent taking a child to certain events. And I agree, school seems like a bad idea. Hopefully with a few park play dates/library visits/etc. other families will come into play and more regularly scheduled play options will present themselves. Hugs OP. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefgazer Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Maybe consider things that are not "homeschooly", but still offer social interaction: Cub scouts, church Sunday School, sports (swim teams and swim lesson groups are famously tight-knit people and make great friends!), library programs, playgroups like Gymboree Play and Learn, etc... Also, if you have a Methodist church near you, they often have part-time "Mom's Morning Out" programs that you can opt into for 2-3 mornings per week, which might be an ideal way to get your not-ready-for-prime-time kid ready to handle a group situation that is more formal/longer in duration. ETA: I liked a previous poster's idea of just sending him every other week, when you are around. Or hire someone to take him to the co-op on Friday's you work, if the regular sitters will not. My five year old is bright and doesn't play well with others and has no use for busywork whatsoever. We decided to homeschool this year for those reasons.I am seriously having second thoughts, but I don't know if I'm just stressed over the baby's new health issues and seeing everyone's cute back to school photos. I had honestly thought we could plug into the homeschool community, but everything--every single thing--I can find locally is held on Fridays. I work every other Friday, even though I've scaled back to part time, and the reaction I got when I suggested whoever is caring for him(whether dad, grandma or nanny) bring him was, um, icy. There are no park days or field trips I can find either, it's all co-ops and we aren't sending him specifically because he simply can't handle a classroom yet.I know it's a small area, but he is lonely(and so am I) and i had hoped to plug into a community somewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneStepAtATime Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Maybe something like cub scouts? What age does that start? Although I hear that is pretty expensive now... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefgazer Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 It's somewhere between $50-$100 per year, but they have financial aid for those who can't afford it, and fundraising sales to offset the kid's dues, so don't let cost stop you on that because there are ways around the dues. Maybe something like cub scouts? What age does that start? Although I hear that is pretty expensive now... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FriedClams Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 I think there is, sadly, a window of time where you're in limbo as a new homeschooler. The veterans, with years behind them, see "play hard, school light" as the rule and don't get too wrapped up in activities for littles. You, on the other hand, are dealing with the transition to homeschooling and losing all your playmates / mom friends to preschool and kindergarten. Many moms of littles want to get a jump academically and are met with "pooh, pooh just relax...they're only little once...we didn't start formal academics until later...". As a veteran, I see both sides of the fence and it's really hard. Add in a baby and medical issues... and working... It's a hard time. But it will get better. You're not alone. Try the library for story time. Our Chick fil A has craft and story time weekly. Try a play class at the Y or kindermusic. Find something you like that fits your schedule. Keep looking. Keep trying. You'll find your tribe. Really you will!!! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AuNaturel Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Childhood socializing has really changed since we were young. When I was a kid, my parents didn't need to know the parents of my friends for us to play. All the kids of the block came outside and played together. Now, even though I'm surrounded by kids, parents won't let their children leave their property and I'll get glares if my daughter tries to walk over and talk to them! It's sad how the children look at each other, only a few houses away, completely forbidden to interact. I've involved my daughter in a number of extra curricular activities and parents are never cooperative about allowing their child to socialize outside of class, camp, etc. So in order for my daughter to stay in touch, her and her friend must be continually attending the same activity. It's ridiculous in my opinion. I've realized the hard way that the only way parents will be willing to let their child play with mine on a regular basis is if they are friends with my husband or I. That's it! They no longer put aside their feelings for their children's. I applaud you for being concerned about his emotions and thoughts concerning his social life. My advice to you is to become a social butterfly yourself. Find at least one parent of a child your son's age that you can at least tolerate and create a weekly get together. Have lunch while the children play. Kids that age only need one or two "friends" to be happy. It's tough forcing yourself to be social if you aren't naturally, but it is the easiest way to provide your child with a reliable play date. Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lllll Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 nm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneStepAtATime Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Childhood socializing has really changed since we were young. When I was a kid, my parents didn't need to know the parents of my friends for us to play. All the kids of the block came outside and played together. Now, even though I'm surrounded by kids, parents won't let their children leave their property and I'll get glares if my daughter tries to walk over and talk to them! It's sad how the children look at each other, only a few houses away, completely forbidden to interact. I've involved my daughter in a number of extra curricular activities and parents are never cooperative about allowing their child to socialize outside of class, camp, etc. So in order for my daughter to stay in touch, her and her friend must be continually attending the same activity. It's ridiculous in my opinion. I've realized the hard way that the only way parents will be willing to let their child play with mine on a regular basis is if they are friends with my husband or I. That's it! They no longer put aside their feelings for their children's. I applaud you for being concerned about his emotions and thoughts concerning his social life. My advice to you is to become a social butterfly yourself. Find at least one parent of a child your son's age that you can at least tolerate and create a weekly get together. Have lunch while the children play. Kids that age only need one or two "friends" to be happy. It's tough forcing yourself to be social if you aren't naturally, but it is the easiest way to provide your child with a reliable play date. Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk We really struggled with this, too. Finally, I started having meeting for some of the homeschooling groups at my house so they would see our house and feel more comfortable with their kids coming over. Even then, though, the kids are rarely allowed to come over on their own. Parents have to come, too. No more days of playing with a friend for hours and hours. I used to do that all the time. I learned so much about getting along and tolerance because we were together all.day.long. Summers were filled with play time like that. You are right, in many areas that just isn't happening any more. I never see kids playing in front yards or spontaneously running over to someone else's house. Our neighborhood is full of kids. They all go to school activities, do homework and go to after school activities. Unless it is a birthday party (and those rarely happen at a home here), I don't see kids playing anymore. Certainly not spontaneously. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedicMom Posted September 3, 2015 Author Share Posted September 3, 2015 Both my mom and my MIL are veteran homeschoolers(my mom is on her 30th year with seven graduates already, MIL homeschooled both of her kids through high school, so around 20 years) so they are pretty pro homeschooling and willing to help out. The co-op problem is that none are drop off and all require the parent to either teach or assist. I'm willing to do that; but I think that is way too much to ask of my mom or MIL(my mom is still homeschooling my eleventh grade sister and they've never done co-ops; she isn't likely to change now) when they are doing me a huge favor of helping with childcare and asking none in return. I got the icy comments when I suggested any form of alternative ideas, i.e. Paying extra or helping in some way other than teaching. Playgroups tend to dry up here once the kids hot preschool. Our PS has gone to a universal, free, five day a week full day 4-year-old preK. Every child who is not going to be homeschooled seems to attend there. So once you hit four, the library story times and playgroups and everything of that sort dries right up. My son is very keenly aware of being older(he is high IQ but his social skills aren't well developed) than the other kids and it bothers him; he feels like a baby. I literally could go weeks without human contact, but he isn't like me, so I am trying to meet his social needs. We are actually letting his extremely extroverted sister go to three day a week preschool. She cries because she never gets to play with other girls. At least until RSV season, because I have an immunocompromised baby on top of everything else. I have joined the local facebook groups. I think I might put a post up looking for play date friends; we can't be the only lonely ones, right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedicMom Posted September 3, 2015 Author Share Posted September 3, 2015 We really struggled with this, too. Finally, I started having meeting for some of the homeschooling groups at my house so they would see our house and feel more comfortable with their kids coming over. Even then, though, the kids are rarely allowed to come over on their own. Parents have to come, too. No more days of playing with a friend for hours and hours. I used to do that all the time. I learned so much about getting along and tolerance because we were together all.day.long. Summers were filled with play time like that. You are right, in many areas that just isn't happening any more. I never see kids playing in front yards or spontaneously running over to someone else's house. Our neighborhood is full of kids. They all go to school activities, do homework and go to after school activities. Unless it is a birthday party (and those rarely happen at a home here), I don't see kids playing anymore. Certainly not spontaneously. This terrifies me as an introverted mom of two very extroverted kids. Sitting with someone I barely know trying to make small talk for hours is my idea of hell. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneStepAtATime Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 This terrifies me as an introverted mom of two very extroverted kids. Sitting with someone I barely know trying to make small talk for hours is my idea of hell. :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol in Cal. Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 I wonder whether there is a science or history or natural history museum nearby that you could join? ' If you went once a week and really explored it, at least it would get your son out of the house in a semi-social, semi-educational way. And who knows, maybe you would make friends! Also, I would suggest signing up for some kind of extracurricular class or classes that are mostly made up of school children just to see how that goes. Soccer, baseball, singing, gymnastics--all good possibilities. Down the road it's really nice, IMO, to be able to do schoolwork all day knowing that gym class is coming up at 4 instead of 1. Lastly, I would try to change your work hours from Friday to another day. It sounds like the Friday group would be great for both of you, and thinking outside the box it would be worth trying to rearrange your work schedule to participate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SailorMom Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Most of my kids' friends and "socialization" came from clubs and sports, not the homeschool group. Get him in soccer, or gymnastics, or whatever :) He's still too little for Cub Scouts, but next year he can be a Tiger scout. Neighborhood parks are a good bet, as is the library. Give it a little more time - it will work out. It's early days yet, and most families are swamped with getting into a new routine for the school year. After things "chill" a bit, it will get easier. Also - does the homeschool group you meet at the park have a website or an email distribution? It is possible they'd be very open to someone setting up extra park days or field trips - they may just not have anyone willing to do it. It isn't a hard thing to do at all :) Be proactive and don't wait for the groups to schedule - reach out to them. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol in Cal. Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Also, I wonder whether you have the time and/or bandwidth to offer something that is coop-ish but really active to the homeschooling community? At that age DD was popular for my permissiveness with materials and the use of our yard. So kids would come over and dig rivers and islands, and make forts out of fridge boxes, painting them with totemic designs. At one point when she was a bit older, I hosted a group that hired a science teacher to teach astronomy there, and the kids came over early to eat lunch and stayed afterwards to play out back. In your shoes, I would have advertised a Roxaboxen (do you have that picture book?) class, gotten fridge boxes for everyone, encouraged the kids to decorate them the first day, and build their own town, and then passed out something to use for currency the second week, and taught outdoor crafts the following couple of weeks. I would have hoped that after 4-5 weeks of this or less the group would have taken on a life of its own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Put him in part time preschool tell them you are starting school next year. He will have some time with kids and you will have a break. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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