To think that online school might be the answer

[razzbo]

I just want a wider opinion really as my friends think this is a stupid idea... but I'm considering taking my kids out of normal school and putting them in online school. I feel like I never see them - they're travelling to school, then at school all day, then there's after school clubs, then homework - my only interaction with them is just me nagging them to do homework or rushing them onto the next thing. They're constantly tired and stressed about school things and peers and mild bullying. I'm wondering whether online school might free up some time for family stuff and getting outdoors and better mental health in general. They're on board with the idea of it - I wouldn't be forcing them - and I work from home so I'd be there with them. Am just wondering whether anyone had any experience of it - pros and cons - that sort of thing?

if your having to nag them to do homework then how do you think they will be motivated enough to do online school?

there is very much a place for online school but from what you have said I don’t think the reasonings you use are strong enough to make it sounds the right choice.

I agree with your friends I’m afraid. Unless there’s a major drip feed coming, I think it’s a bad idea. Isolating your children at home so they can be near you whilst you work wouldn’t be fair to them. School is about so much more than academic study. It’s a key part of how they learn to navigate their way through life and be part of society.

Ask in home ed groups especially in Facebook. Or even the home ed board.

It sounds risky. How old are your children?

I don’t use online school but I do home educate(it’s been over 10 years now) and I don’t regret it at all. I’m not going to say that it is always easy but I don’t think I’ll ever regret all the time that I’ve been able to spend with my kids.

I’d worry that they’d miss out on socialising. Socialisation isn’t just nice friends you like but learning to respond to people who don’t like you/get along with etc.

It sounds like you are thinking of your best interests (to see them more), rather than their interests. I bet they'd be on board with it - most kids would be. But what if they are not motivated - will you be picking up the slack on top of trying to wfh? If you're already nagging them to do homework, you might end up nagging them to actually attend their lessons. What about all the social skills that being at school brings?
I don't know the age of the children but would your employer be ok with your attention being elsewhere if they're not at school.

Would you spend much more time with them though? If you are working at home then presumably you will only see them on your lunch break or a coffee break. Also if you need to nag them to do school work already are they going to be motivated enough to work without your supervision?

They're on board with the idea of it You bet they are!

How old are they?

I think you'd be better off cutting out the after school clubs and weekend stuff, so they have plenty of downtime outside of school.

How old are they? Why don’t you just see them after school?

How old are they ?

how old are they? How long is travel time to school?

It seems it would be easier to discuss the pros and cons of the after school clubs before jumping immediately to online school. That would mean earlier home times and more space for homework and other activities.

Of course they like the sound of it, they think they won't have to do anything. Don't think they'll thank you for it later though.

This.

And remember, while they are in school, their teachers are doing the motivating and chasing. If they were in on-line school, you would be nagging them all day and all evening as well.

Sorry I've read back what I wrote and it does sound like it's all about me! Obviously it's more about them and the general stress and pain of school and peers. 45 mins to school on a bus which sounds like bullying hell, not that anyone can police it. Secondary school itself is just hell. It's like there's no light left in their eyes any more. They are years 7 and 9.

Teach them to be more resilient not wrap them up in cotton wool.

Can you afford it? If they’re taking a full suite of subjects leading up to GCSEs, this could be pretty expensive.

Would you be cutting the number of subjects they study?

Mine does online school. She is an autistic teen in Yr 9 and was not coping in mainstream.
PROS:
Flexibility (we can choose her subjects, drop anything she can't cope with, do leassons as recorded lessons so can take time away during term time)
Home means she isn't always in sensory overload
I have FAR more insight into what she is learning and how she is doing

CONS:
It costs me money (school fees, exam fees)
I need to get involved a few times every day (I wfh but sometimes it is hard to juggle)
Online school = home education so you need to be educated on what is needed to satisfy the LA
DD has to be self directed - something she is working on - to get the work done to a high standard.

Feel free to message me if you have questions. It certainly isn't a panacea but my DD is SO SO much happier that we will continue on with this.

But are you wfh while you homeschool as OP plans?
Sadly , OP , one way or another, they do grow away from us from the moment the cord is cut and if you look at other animals this is natural although how much does vary. Do you have time with them in the holidays? Any way you can compress your hours to have more leave in school holidays?

I think in your situation, in principle, it sounds like it could be a good thing. It's one I'd certainly explore if my DS was really unhappy at school.

I'd think through all the ramifications before discussing with them. How come the bus journey is so long? Is there a nearer school? Is there anything you could do about the low level bullying issues? Could they carry on with clubs etc or are the clubs they go to linked to school?

How would they socialise? I think home ed groups can be helpful but not sure how many there are for teens. What exercise would they get? Could they be self motivated or would you end up in nagging hell with the expectation that they could be constantly watching TV/playing computer games (this is what would happen with my year 8 DS i imagine!). What about practical elements of education like science experiments, field trips, drama etc? Could you get all your work done with potential requests for help, snacks, drinks etc. If all those things seem surmountable then I'd have a discussion with them to see how they feel about it.

They would still have peers while doing online schooling, or are you planning on totally shutting them off from society?

I'd look at a closer school, less after school clubs etc but this is a crazy idea. Teaching them they can just come and hide in the house in the face of adversity is not going to encourage any resilience, and if you're already having to nag about homework it doesn't sound like they're self motivated enough for home school. Your employer won't like it either. Are you a single parent?

Then do it - although I would advise joining home ed groups which are full of advice and shared lessons. And to keep up with other activities - cubs, dancing or whatever.

School is a ridiculous environment - young people herded together en masse and hard to control, whilst trying to educate them at the same time. Some children love it - which is great; some do not - and they need to be catered for. It is OK not to love it.

Do not be ashamed of your feeling that you would like to spend more time with your chidlren - it is not selfish - it is natural! The whole situation where parents shed their responsibilities onto school is a strange one - great for those children whose parents do not have the time/education/ability to do it another way and whose children enjoy school but it does not have to be the norm. I was always less worried abut academic content than I was about values and ethos, which I wanted my children to absorb from me and my partner.

Take lots of advice, look for the right support, seek social opportunities for your chidlren, and there is no reason why this should not work out just fine. Go with your gut - you know your children best.

This is my concern regarding online/ home schooling- and I know people say we go here, there and everywhere (with your mum next to you) can't see how that prepares you for real life.