I'm thinking of taking my ds out of school

[cluckiemama]

I've posted a thread on education topic, didn't realise there was one especially for home ed . I am seriously considering taking my ds out of school, he's 10 in year 5 and is not having a good time at school. I am worried because my dd has started at same school in reception and I don't know how she will be treated if I take ds out. She seems to be enjoying school at the moment. Any advice please

I have had mixed reactions from friends and family about taking my ds out of school, but would like to hear from people who are actually educating at home. Am I doing the right thing?

You will only really know if you try it as it isn't for everyone. However, it sounds like your ds is very willing to give it a go so I would say go ahead. There is always the option of returning to school if he finds HE is not for him.

From reading this thread and the other, I feel that you have almost made up your mind to do it, but just need a little confidence boost to actually take the plunge. FWIW I have HEd mine for over 7 years and have never regretted it.

Are some good books you could read. Will have a hunt and get some titles and authors.

Thanks wheesht, I have looked into it before actually. When my ds was due to start school I did read up alo about home educating, but i decided to put him into school, then if I or he wasn't happy to take him out, and now I am at that point. Yes I feel I have made my mind up, but just need some encouragement

Well there's nothing stopping you

HE can seem to be daunting at first, simply because it is a whole new way of thinking and, ofcourse, you have to deal with others who consider it to be less than 'normal'.

I think it's common to start off HEing with a timetable, workbooks and trying to cover the entire curriculum and that can be very difficult to maintain (I should know - we tried it lol). If that works for you then that is great. Or you may choose to take a more autonomous approach from the very start and let your ds lead the way in how and what he wishes to learn. This really is a lovely way to HE, not just for your ds but for you too, but it sometimes takes a few weeks or months to relax enough and trust your own instincts to believe that this is the way to go.

Whatever road you go down, there is plenty of help available. Since you have looked into HE before, I assume you have come upon the EO site. It's invaluable for advice and also for meeting other HErs in your area.

some good reads here

I shouldn't worry about your DD-she won't be treated any differently if you take him out.

Thanks so much for your advice, I have been on the EO site, its great!

Hi cluckiemama,

I had one in and one out of school for some while (now both are home ed. I also take a friend's little girl to the school, so even now we go up to the school.

For about a week the head was pretty angry with me (I'd been a school governor and it looked very bad for them). But after that, she knew she had to get over it if she didn't want to lose a whole lot more kids besides, and very soon she got over it! She always asks now how both girls are doing, and chats to me when I go up there.

Chatting to parents at the school gate was uncomfortable for a while (and I'm still not sure what they say when I'm not there, lol), but no one really says anything now. It was a bit hard at first, but the minute anything else remotely gossip-worthy happens you will be long forgotten as a subject of discussion. And the school will have enough sense not to want to lose two children.

For what it's worth, despite the initial scariness, home ed was the best thing we ever did (eldest 6 months ago, youngest 18 months ago)and it's a decision I've never, ever regretted. The nice thing is, you can always go back on it and return to school if it doesn't work out. My betting is you will never want to.

Thanks for that musicposy, really positive advice I am really looking forward to home edding my DS, I really think it will be the best thing for him and probably will want to do the same with my DD when I get settled with my son out of school!!!