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Home ed

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Do I home school my 6 year old

5 replies

Get123 · 03/02/2019 10:09

Morning all, after some advise please. My son is 6 and never been fond of school, has always tried to make excuses not to go. He has been to 2 different primary's and both the same.
He is quiet and not that confident. He seems to want just one friend and finds other boys quite intimidating. He is ok with school work a little behind but both schools has said he zones out and doesn't try very hard. At home he is quite enthusiastic about learning and seems to know a bit more than he shows at school.
As soon as we have got near both schools he goes so quiet and withdrawn. He has had a few run ins with other children but no real bullying issues. He seems to make a friend then they go off and he gets really hurt, the school said he's plays with a few different boys but not any solid friends.
The school have had some chats with him tried a few different things but he just seems so anxious and hasn't clicked with anyone in his class he is not into fighting or football so is really alienated.
He is so much happier and full of energy at weekends/holidays. I can't really change his school again as I already do two school runs for his two sisters so have toyed with the idea of home schooling for a year or two (no longer). I feel just to get him away from feeling so anxious everyday (he seems obsessed with if he's got the right water bottle/hat/coat/etc) that he hides things if he thinks he'll get a comment from someone about them) I always make sure he has "cool" stuff on trend clean etc so don't understand it. He also says he's rubbish because he doesn't like football etc. Maybe get him back on track academically let him stop worrying about all the strains he feels at school then send him back in a year or so when hopefully he's a more comftable. His confidence in everything is fine at home.
Does this sound like an ok plan or am I doing a terrible thing? I feel like the school are good and trying things but it's more he isn't comfortable in a school environment now and his self esteem is getting lower and lower :( I ask him if he would miss the other children but he said no they all just play football so I don't play with them anyway. Sorry for such a long post!! any thoughts appreciated x x

OP posts:
ommmward · 03/02/2019 14:17

I know children in that situation who persevered with school, sought out other quieter children to play with (often girls, if that's socially acceptable in that school environment; I've heard of cases where it wasn't...) and they were ok in a year or so

I know other children who were removed from school, completely got their mojo back, socialised with other quiet/ non-football-y children in the home ed community, and either went back to school with new confidence, or the family just never bothered sending them back to primary.

Whatever you do, follow your instincts. And the schools will still be there when you want/need them, if you do take him out (though check for catchment issues, and whether it'd be easy to get a place once he's back on the waiting list)

TinyGirl1 · 03/02/2019 16:43

We were in the same boat as you so I pulled mine out last Easter and he has stopped being anywhere near as anxious as he was. He is much happier now so I feel it was a good decision for us. We are looking at local school options for the future.

Saracen · 03/02/2019 20:59

I agree with the others! It sounds like there is no one specific fixable problem at school, but it just isn't quite the right environment for your son at this moment.

It may well be easier when he is older. Even if it isn't, a break from school for a couple of years will give your son confidence in himself. Go for it!

Get123 · 03/02/2019 22:32

Thank you all for taking the time to answer me, much appreciated, I don't feel quite as "crazy protective mum" now :) shame he hasn't really clicked in his school year (been with them over a year now and still drifting from one group to another, he came in to a class which had all been together since reception) also worried about what this "zoning out" whilst been taught is doing for him academically x

OP posts:
spinabifidamom · 08/02/2019 21:33

I have six children. All of them are homeschooled. My 17 year old DD helps her siblings with their work. My 14 year DS follows a middle school curriculum that I ordered a while ago at the start of the new school year he is in the ninth grade.
My 11 year old DD is currently doing sixth grade work. My 8 year old DS is working on writing, speaking, reading and vocabulary. We also do math, geography and other subjects as well. My 5 year DD is just getting started with homeschooling. My 2 year old DS and DD are too little yet. All are happy.
When my eldest daughter was small I pulled her out of school. It was definitely the best decision I’ve ever had to make. She was not happy with school.
Definitely go for it.
You can do this.

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