Well I've finally done it!

[KateF]

The dds (aged 7 and 5) will be leaving school at the end of term. We are on a waiting list for places at another school but realistically will be home edding for the rest of this academic year. I also suspect that dd2 at least will not return to school after tasting HE. I feel relieved that I won't have to deal with all the stress, pleading not to go to school, headaches, tummyaches etc but I feel really sad that things have not worked out. I never envisaged us ending up like this and I'm scared of being irritable due to being with them all the time. I also have a 2 year old dd and am a bit concerned about how she will fit in with all this. Can anyone tell me what to expect when the girls first come out of school?

Congrats Kate!! I to am about to take a mamouth leap of faith and ask for my ds1 (5) to be de-registered (sending letter on monday) from the 14th. I too am scared and wondering what to expect (I have a 2 year old ds too.)

Hi heartmum2jamie - it's scary isn't it, even when you know you're doing the right thing? Hopefully someone will come along and give us the benefit of their wisdom! Good luck to you and your dss.

I too never envisaged being a home educating mum - and I found the prospect terrifying to say the least!
Two years later, and I can honestly say that I wish we'd never sent our children to school in the first place.
It is hard work, but it is amazing to watch my children grow in confidence, and they are sociable, happy, intelligent and resourceful.
Just take things slowly, and adapt a routine that works for all of you.
I remember those first weeks of waking up and sighing with relief because I didn't have to take my child back to face all those school problems.
Good luck, get in touch with education otherwise , and have fun!

Thanks HumphreyCushion, that's reassuring . dd1 seems keen to recreate school at home with worksheets,stickers etc while dd2 just wants to get on with her career as an inventor (lol). Did you find they wanted to loll around watching TV all day because I don't think I could relax enough for that! Because the plan is for them to go back to school I feel under pressure to make sure they "keep up".

There was a certain amount of lolling around, but they soon began to regulate themselves.
I have a pretty firm routine with them though, as they are both dyslexic, so I have to be quite rigorous with the literacy and numeracy.
They do literacy and numeracy first thing in the morning every day (seven days a week), and then they have friends over to play, projects, clubs, tutoring sessions, outings, meetings, groups, etc.
Lots of families are completely autonomous, which works really well for them.
I wouldn't be comfortable with that for us, but purely because of having to factor the dyslexia into the picture.
I can understand your concerns about wanting them to keep up the pace in order to fit seamlessly back into school. Have you got a copy of the National Curriculum?

HOw/where can you get a copy of the national curriculum?

Chandra, I found a site called the Standards Site where I could find out what they are expected to know at the end of each Key Stage. To be honest I thought it was pretty basic and they are both well up to that standard now but it is useful to know. I plan to do some reading, writing and numeracy each day then let them follow their own interests such as drawing and crafts. They both go swimming,dancing and to Rainbows/Brownies and Sunday School so that should cover "socialisation"!

Thanks KateF

Off to have a look at it!

In case anyone else needs the linke address is (if I am in the right place):

www.standards.dfes.gov.uk/schemes3

Kate, I have just deregistered my ds1 who is 4 because of problems at school. I was terrified but felt we had no other option. The relief has been wonderful. I too worry about irritability as I have a 3 year old and a 10 month old and struggle some days! I am still at the point of working out what kind of learning to follow but feel more confident I can do it now! We do literacy and numeracy first thing and then project-led work and more social things later on. Overall I do far less hours than if he were at school but feel he is probably learning more. Good luck!