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Home ed

Find advice from other parents on our Homeschool forum. You may also find our round up of the best online learning resources useful.

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Original poster

I've managed to get my 6 year olds school week reduced by 6 hours.

11 replies

PirateJones · 30/03/2014 02:31

He's doing okay at school, his reading is above the rest of the class, his Numeracy and reading is on track, but I have got his doctor, social services and the school to agree (after 2 years) on giving him time to have "childhood experiences", due to his traumatic past. He went from being totally neglected, to going straight it the school system, no childhood freedom IYSWIM.

I would have liked to have it reduced by 12, but at the moment I have to option of half days Thursday and Friday, or a whole day off on friday. Which do you homeschoolers / unschoolers think would be better?

OP posts:

Misfitless · 30/03/2014 05:29

Wow, well done!

I'm not a homeschooler, but I'd go for a whole day off on a Friday. That way, you've got a whole day where you are not being dictated to by the clock iyswim.

I imagine it would be lovely to have an additional day where you're not rushing to get to school on time. Also, if a half day means finishing at 12:00 noon, you've got less time left in the day.

With a whole day off on a Friday, he could have a relaxing breakfast, and still have plenty of time to have a couple of hours out with you doing something fun and lovely, then back home with plenty of time left before you need to start thinking about making tea, or whatever.

Original poster

PirateJones · 30/03/2014 11:40

^^Wow, well done!

I'm not a homeschooler, but I'd go for a whole day off on a Friday. That way, you've got a whole day where you are not being dictated to by the clock iyswim.

I imagine it would be lovely to have an additional day where you're not rushing to get to school on time. Also, if a half day means finishing at 12:00 noon, you've got less time left in the day.

I’m a bit annoyed that it’s taken them 2 years to sort anything, this would have benefited me greatly early on when I needed time to help him socialise and bond with the family. It would have been perfect when he came to me suffering calcium and vitamin deficiency and could barely walk because he was confined to a buggy for most of his life.
But back then they assumed the best idea was being jammed into a class with other kids 5 days a week even though he was totally behind them.

It's like they've done it now in the hopes i give the time up because he's okay, but I'm not.

I’ve thought long and hard and having Fridays is probably what we are going to do, it really seems the most appealing option.

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morethanpotatoprints · 30/03/2014 11:51

PirateJones.

Well done for not giving in and well done for all you are doing for your ds. Am I right in thinking he is adopted?
I am so happy the little love is being allowed to be a child and I too think a full day would be wonderful for you.
Now the weather is better you can just pack a picnic and be off in the morning. Fridays also give the option of a good weekend break if you fancy it.
Good luck and best wishes. for you x

Original poster

PirateJones · 30/03/2014 12:01

Thank you morethanpotatoprints.

Well done for not giving in and well done for all you are doing for your ds. Am I right in thinking he is adopted?

He's my nephew, but I've had parental custody for 2 years.

^Fridays also give the option of a good weekend break if you fancy it. ^

:) Not completely, I have a 13 year old daughter in school. Although she has lost interest in days out with me and hates being dragged along anywhere.

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thepoodoctor · 30/03/2014 12:09

Well done you! My two are adopted and DS who had suffered early neglect did four days in reception for a while.

I'd definitely say Fridays off. Also if the academics matter he will probably miss less, and from DS experience Fridays has things like Golden Time which tends to be exactly the sort if unstructured stuff he can't handle, so he's happy to escape that!

mrsstardust · 30/03/2014 15:21

congratulations. i also agree with Fridays off.
are you likely to succeed getting another 6 hours off for Thursdays?
you can let him get up when he's ready. have time for him to play then go and spend a few hours visiting parks and thing to give him a real outside education. it's basically an extension of the toddler years and it might take a while to get into the swing of things but don't give up.

PeacesOfAte · 30/03/2014 15:41

I'd agree with Fridays off, however would take it further and just take ad-hoc days off too whenever you think it would benefit him.

My son struggled with being at school full-time, and only now towards the end of year 1 does he seem to have the energy to cope, so I often gave him extra days off and called in sick to school, particularly towards the end of each half term as he was getting more tired.

I just don't see the point in enforcing this routine when it's not in their best interests. Just a day or two a term really helped him.

Original poster

PirateJones · 31/03/2014 07:27

^ are you likely to succeed getting another 6 hours off for Thursdays?^
^however would take it further and just take ad-hoc days off too whenever you think it would benefit him.^

I’d love to get the full 2 days off for him I originally wanted, but I don’t want to push my luck with the school by changing the day each week and have everything backfire.

I’m still going to try for it though.

Also I only get Thursday and Friday off work, but to be honest that doesn’t really matter DH (a plumber) is already talking about taking him with him as an assistant, so really any day off would be fine, he would tag along with him.

I've never been a massive fan of the school system, Especially now there’s all this talk of after school clubs, breakfast clubs and so on being mandatory. I do think it gives children a good introduction to a range of subjects though, once they've been introduced to the basics, if they like it they normally play / read / research it at home.

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mrsstardust · 31/03/2014 13:32

OMG a Junior plumber with his dad(?) is so adorable. will he have a toy tool belt and things?
that's a much better life experiance than school imho.

morethanpotatoprints · 31/03/2014 13:42

Pirate

I have a question if this isn't too presumptuous?

Do you know if adopted children or children in the case of your nephew are allowed to be completely H.ed, would this be something frowned upon or accepted as for other children?
I am only interested, no particular reason.

It does sound great, a day with dad learning a trade at such a young age. I bet they would have so much fun.
You really are an inspiration to others, sticking out for what you believe and you have certainly done the right thing by your nephew.
I hope you all have lots of fun, and come and tell us all about it, or pm me with your news.

Original poster

PirateJones · 31/03/2014 14:10

OMG a Junior plumber with his dad(?) is so adorable. will he have a toy tool belt and things?

Haven't thought about it probably be a mix of real screwdrivers and spanners with a plastic saw and hammer.

^*Do you know if adopted children or children in the case of your nephew are allowed to be completely H.ed, would this be something frowned upon or accepted as for other children?
I am only interested, no particular reason.8^

I do think it will probably be discouraged although it will probably depend on the circumstances of the child, obviously if there is a history of abuse / neglect then the support network of the school is an obvious safety net which social services like. As well as with peers to mix, learn from and catch up with.
Other than that i don't really know, i assume if you have adopted from a very young age it wouldn't matter.
I'm sorry i can't be of more help.

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