Anyone else considering long term home ed?

[Beebityboo]

Even with the low risk to children generally (although my 5yo is vulnerable with an over reactive immune system and I also am disabled so don't want to take my chances) I can imagine that school is going to be quite unsettling and generally not a very happy place to be for the foreseeable future. My youngest has complex needs and still needs a lot of comforting and support at school and she just won't cope in the conditions her school have laid out going forwards.

Originally I had planned to send all of them back in September but am now contemplating deregistering them and homeschooling longer term (I have some experience of this as I had to remove my eldest last year due to severe bullying, but it was a temporary arrangement)

Am I mad to be considering this? We're also supposed to be moving to new county this summer so would likely need to make a decision then about whether to apply for schools or not (even if schools are taking in new admissions at that point).

I'm trying to weigh up the pros and cons of this decision. I don't think school is going to be anything like what it was for quite a while, probably next year at the earliest .

[Beebityboo]

Anyone?

[justanotherneighinparadise]

God no.

[usernotfound0000]

In a word, no! I have enjoyed elements of it, but it isn't feasible for us long term due to work commitments. DD has flourished though, (reception, age 5) and has definitely benefited from the 1:1 time and I think we have done stuff that challenges her more than school. But I am aware of my limitations, I can teach spelling and basic maths but as she gets older, I wouldn't have a clue!

[MissDollyMix]

No!

[Beebityboo]

I'm thinking of doing it for a year until we're through any second peak that may come and school back to what it was.

[BertieBotts]

There's a home ed board where you'll probably get more supportive responses :)

[OnlyFoolsnMothers]

No, not sure what your experience was like when you withdrew your eldest but certainly I wouldn’t consider what parents are doing now as home schooling. I think that’s a far bigger undertaking with less support, and personally my idea of hell- I’m not a teacher and don’t want to hold back my child.

[Whatsmyname26]

Not mad at all! I’ve home ed for years and honestly I think it gives them so many opportunities, especially if they have additional needs/difficulties.

What’s happening atm isn’t home Ed, it’s pandemic schooling and is no reflection on what our life is like usually. We home Ed using groups and activities, meets with friends, workshops, days out, park meets etc etc.
Happy to pm with you if you would like

[Whatsmyname26]

I feel I should say too that my child is secondary and teaching specialist subjects isn’t an issue. You don’t home Ed in a bubble. My 13 year old has just finished her first gcse and has 3 planned for next year, all her own choice and led by her. She has never been in a classroom and we have never followed a curriculum.

[Qasd]

I have come to the conclusion it will be the only realistic option given lack of support from the school and lack of any desire to reopen schools.

I have done some research but it seems to be primarily done by people who want to avoid “school based” type approaches when I want something that is closer to “school” myself..where not the type for “unschooling” be guided by the child stuff😂!

If anyone has links to advice on more formal approaches to home schooling (primary) I would be quite interested to read!

[Littleshortcake]

In your circumstances it sounds very sensible. I am finding it harder to teach my own than home school (joking). I prefer the structure and social end of work but I agree the one to one time is so important.

[Littleshortcake]

Sorry than teaching at school (need coffee )

[Beebityboo]

None of them are in exam years but I do worry about the lack of socialisation, especially as we can't go to groups etc like we would normally be able to. They have each other though I suppose.

I just can't see it working the way that school will be and I am lucky enough that I have the option. DH thinks things will be more back to normal by January and we could reassess for then but realistically I think it will be September 2021 before school is anything resembling what school was. I've just read that Cambridge university are suspending all face to face lectures until then also.

It's so hard to know what to do for the best.

[scotlandg]

I am also thinking of doing the same thing but mine are younger (6) (4- due to start reception in sept) and age 2. It's intense but I think my 6 year old has learnt more having focused one on one. We are mainly focusing on core subjects though. I feel bad he is missing out on fun school stuff and also socialising. However I'm in the vulnerable group and secondly I'm concerned that school right now wouldn't be fun. Teachers don't seem to be keen on them coming back either.

[Whatsmyname26]

Ordinarily socialisation isn’t an issue at all, quite the reverse it’s very easy to get too busy! Atm though it might be tricky finding a network until there is a bit more normality. There are loads of local and national home Ed groups on Facebook. It might be you are able to connect with local people and find a way to socialise remotely. My kids FaceTime with friends and play board games or minecraft or paint etc together.

[covetingthepreciousthings]

Yes, but I'm not sure how feasible it is around work.
We have vulnerabilities in our family, although not shielding, it is still a concern.

I'm very worried about them going back and how it will affect their mental health entering a school system that won't resemble anything like what they're used to.

However I wouldn't feel confident to teach them enough to get to exam level. But luckily they're in the lower years of school / pre school.

I really don't know what we'll do, but I think if they get to the point where they are going to fine parents for non compliance on sending kids back then I think we will seriously consider it.

[Bol87]

My worst nightmare 😂 and I’m a jaded ex teacher.. I think school is incredibly important personally. But you have a very specific set of circumstances, so possibly it’s a great option for you! Most people couldn’t because of work though I’d imagine!

Most children are very resilient. The schools will do their very best to help kids make the adjustment. It might be a bit peculiar at first but kids will get quickly used to it being different & then it’ll be the new normal for a while! Children with more complex emotional needs will likely struggle but most will adapt just fine. I think it’s easy to project your adult emotions about how rubbish social distancing is & our adult worries in general into our children. I’m guilty of it. When in reality, what I’m worrying about hasn’t crossed my child’s mind!

[ItsSpittingEverybodyIn]

No, because I don't have the time, patience or knowledge. Teachers deserve a medal as far as I'm concerned!

[Drivingdownthe101]

Definitely not. I’ve generally loved having mine home and home schooling, but they miss their friends. They miss assemblies, and break times, and school lunches, and dress up days, and everything else. Most of all their friends. My oldest (6) needs peers around her to encourage with her work too... she’s very very bright but has low confidence and I just can’t encourage her and build her up in the way her peers do.

[doubleshotespresso]

OP I'm in a very similar situation to yourself, 5 year old with severe complex needs including ASD, ADHD, SPD and massive issues with violent behaviours. We have witnessed a complete character transformation during lockdown with the odd off day, much calmer and happier.
I've largely enjoyed the home learning and they've actually focused (I'd normally receive a call from the school two or three times a week by 10.30 to collect them ).
So I understand your thinking I really do.
But I'm also painfully aware of my own limitations.... I just could not maintain this as they grow through the key stages. I'm not a teacher and would worry about the lack of social interactions you just can never replicate at home.
I admire your thinking not sure I could do it though

[TheHarryFormerlyKnownAsPrince]

Yes, I’m thinking of doing the same, OP. I have home educated before and would do it again.
I think social opportunities in school are going to be limited anyway and that I can provide a more natural environment at home.
We are doing our own thing anyway rather than following work set by school as I find that more manageable at home.

[TheHarryFormerlyKnownAsPrince]

qasd, i’m more inclined to hold led approaches but when we home educated there were a range of approaches amongst the families we knew. Some were very structured.

[Beebityboo]

I think it would only be for a year until school is more like how it was. I know how lucky I am that I don't have to work and can have the choice.

I'm just worried it will set them really far behind. I have had a letter about how it will be going forwards and I know DD will not cope. She has complex needs and was barely managing in school when it was normal so when it comes to her at least, I can't see it working.

[OhArsebags]

Yes. I think we will continue with home ed for year one Dd.

I home educated her older brother until he was year 6 anyway, so I’ve done it before.

We’ve not had any work from a school as Dd hadn’t started a new place yet after a hour move so I’ve just gone back to all my old home ed favourite books etc.

But like others have pointed out - this isn’t home education at the moment. On a sunny day we would have been out on a home ed meet up, or a group visit to somewhere.

[CostaCosta]

I feel the same but I don't think I could give my child the social development he needs. He has made friends (he's in reception) but he doesnt miss them at all, he just wants to stay with me. As cute as this is, I want to encourage it, he needs friends his own age!