HOME EDUCATING SIBLINGS

[siblingrivalry]

i Everyone,

I'm looking for a bit of advice, please. DD2 has just been offered a place at dd1's former school - she is due to start reception in September. But I am totally stuck about what to do. DD1 was deregistered at Christmas.
Naturally, because dd1 had such a terrible time in that school, there is no way I want to send dd2 there. So I have been reading OFSTED reports for other accessible schools in our area and can't find a single one I am happy with. If the report is good, there will be another discouraging factor, such as class sizes being too big;etc.

The thing is, ideally I would HE dd2 as well. But dd1 has SN and needs to socialise in small groups and work in a very quiet, calm environment -or meltdowns ensue! DD2 is very ahem 'challenging'(!) and makes a lot of noise as she goes about her business. She is very sociable and outgoing and loves group activities and needs a lot of interaction with her peers.

So I have 2 completely different children, who are struggling to accomodate each other over dd2's half-term holidays. I now find myself wondering how on earth I would manage to HE both of them and meet their very individual needs. I am totally torn, because neither child's education should be compromised for the sake of the other's.

So I was wondering if anyone else has been in a similar situation and survived?! Is it possible to give both children what they need?
They are sometimes the best of friends,but frequently the worst of enemies.

Any advice very gratefully received.

Thanks

Win £3000 to sp

I'd strongly suggest you join the Home Education Special Needs email support list. I know there are plenty of people there who have been in exactly the same situation you find yourself in now, and will be happy to offer support and encouragement.

Our children were much older than yours. they were 13, 11 and 8 when we pulled them out eight years ago.
We found though that things were better once we had taken them away from the stresses of school.
I found being autonomous and following their interests worked better than being structured-when they often all needed my attention at the same time. Once we let go of structure, one would be busy, whilst one was on the pc looking things up and the youngest was building lego for instance.

If things became very fraught, we'd go out!
Burn off energy/change focus and direction

Thanks,julie. I am a member of that group and there were some great responses.
I am still undecided, but gathering information!

Yes I saw all the responses you got this morning when I recieved my daily digest.

Good luck whatever you choose.