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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.

Help me decide if home ed is the way to go

6 replies

damewashalot · 27/05/2010 17:12

DS3 is due to start reception in September and I just don't want him to! I didn't feel this way with the older 2 but it feels wrong. I think it's a combination of things, I've now seen first hand how school changes children, I've come to believe that we start children in formal school way to early in this country and the simple fact that I don't think he's ready to sit and write etc.The thought of him going to school makes me want to cry.
Then there's ds2, he's 8 and in yr3, we are having behaviour problems with him and he is sad a lot of the time, no apparent problems as such at school, doesn't seem to be being bullied etc and I'm wondering if his problem is just school, that it doesn't work for him, doesn't let him be himself and express his very creative nature.
Does that make any sense at all?

So we are wondering about home-eding them both. I've read loads of info,can't find any local groups online, I'm in Rugby and the sites that list groups have big gaps around me.

If you've taken children out of school how did you make that decision? how did you know it was right? I'm aware that this is such a high birth rate yr starting in September I would struggle to get him in at a later date if we changed our minds and I don't know what to do, or maybe I'm just scared
Thank you if you've got through all of that and well done if it made sense to you

OP posts:
becaroo · 27/05/2010 18:09

It made perfect sense to me!!!

I am sorry your ds2 is unhappy. My ds1 was too for his whole school career (nursery, reception and year 1) and I deeply regret ever sending him. Like you, I had real doubts about formal schooling for a 4 year old but due to familial and societal pressures I sent him

He has been HE since Jan this year and the change in him is amazing. He is eating better, sleeping better and much happier. I know I made the right decision and (as someone on this thread wisely said to me when I was asking the same questions as you) the shcools will always be there!

There will be many more experienced HEers to advise you soon I am sure, but I would try to go to a HE meet up in your area. Have you tried the yahoo groups? Also, joining Education Otherwise (£25 for a family year long membership) will get you a members only local contact list which I found very useful.
People are quite happy for you to ring them and meet up if you want to.

I also found reading on the subject of HE very reassuring...I recommend;

Free range education by Terri Dowty
Teach your own by John Holt
Doing it their way by Jan fortune wood

Good luck!
x

damewashalot · 27/05/2010 18:27

Thanks becaroo,I guess I am a little worried about the reactions I'll get from people as on the surface of it all it is kind of crazy, I didn't mention before that ds1 has just passed the 11plus and is going to a very good grammar school in September, so to have one doing that and the others at home seems a bit strange but I'm not worried about him, he's a very different child, very academically keen and looking forward to it.
Thanks for the tips

OP posts:
julienoshoes · 27/05/2010 18:39

Hello damewashalot
It made perfect sense to me too!

I dereged all three of mine one day almost 10 years ago and have never looked back. we home educated them through their teens and through to college.
No regrets whatso ever-and all three fully intend to home educate their own children, when the time comes.

There is a group that covers the whole of the West Mids area-HELM stands for 'Home Educators Local Magazine' and they have a HELM yahoo email support group.
Ask online there for details of how to get the newsletter, and someone will answer (I'll look to see if you have posted and will answer if someone else doesn't beat me to it). I am pretty certain there is a group within travelling distance of you, although it has been a while since I looked.

damewashalot · 27/05/2010 19:16

Thanks julie, joined, think I posted, not really used yahoo so who know if I did it right??
Oooh i checked it did work

OP posts:
julienoshoes · 27/05/2010 20:34

Yes it did work !
I have replied to you on list and off

becaroo · 28/05/2010 10:05

Hi again...I think what you said re: your dc is spot on....school is great for some kids and some kids love it but not for others. I have 2 ds and they are like chalk and cheese!

WRT reactions from others...I will not lie to you, it can be upsetting, especially from family members and friends, but I have HE now for 5 months and EVERYONE who doubted has seen the change in ds1 and seen how much happier he is and are now convinced it is the right thing for him too Not that I give a toss what they all think, of course!!!!

As I see it, my dc are my responsibility and if one or both of them are unhappy it is up to me to help them/sort it out. If I dont, who will?

I can completely understand your feelings re sending your youngest to school...I had them myself and ignored them which has done terrible harm to my ds1's self esteem and confidence. I can blame the teachers and the school system all I want, but the buck stops with me.

Best of luck. Best thing I ever did x

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