pepsishot joining the party

How nice to see you Pepsi - you should have fun here!

Brookeham wrote:So sorry pepsi to accidentally address message about homeschooling to spots. This was at the High School level. It may be different for elementary or middle school ages.
    You may also want to check what other resources your district or county has for homeschooling. My Sister-inlaw was a Resource specialist for homeschooling for her county. She traveled to quite a few areas to give lessons(especially in science) to groups of homeschooled kids. She also provided advice and materials to parents.

Figured I'd bring this conversation over here so those just reading about the event don't get annoyed with me...

It was no problem addressing spots. It was an easy mistake. I've made it myself before.

I'll look into that resource specialist. I've never heard of that before. Maybe we don't have that offer around here or maybe I'm just too new yet and didn't feel the need before now. I don't know. However, it's something I will definitely look into. Thanks for the tip!!!

puppiesnponies wrote:pepsi - when hubby was active duty Army, I knew a lot of families that home schooled. They formed a co-op and switched off lessons in areas that were strengths for others. Perhaps you can connect with other homeschooled students and see if you can find someone to offer enrichment in areas you feel uncomfortable with and vise versa. Good luck!

You are a good Mom and doing a great job :)

Last night I found a local co-op. It's still too early in the morning here to contact them but I will try today. I've had mixed feelings on joining one. I don't know why. I realize it's a great support group and I've heard it's important to join one even when you don't think you need one. I'm just leery about too many opinions about my approach or reasons I guess. 

I know I'm standing on a very thin line of teaching my son to run away from his problems but I can't help but feel that it's the only answer to keep him safe. Bullying has taken too many lives already and I don't want my son in that count. Sometimes change is not running away it's just a new direction/focus.

pepsi - if the school cannot/will not keep your son safe from harmful bullying (we had that happen too when mine were in school), then it is the responsible thing to do as a parent to change tactics. It is a life skill to try to effect change where you can and also know when it is time to move on. Replacing a negative and potentially harmful situation with one that can have a positive impact on his future sounds like 2 thumbs up from me.
Both of my kids were special needs (one w/ an IEP and the other w/ a 504 plan) and the battles with school were nasty and can give me nightmares still today. I don't know anything about your situation other than what you have posted but just want to offer encouragement to you as you and your family make this transition.

pepsi - Life is so different for those in school now.  In too many areas decency and respect for others has left the building, and the educational culture has made accountability a thing of the past.

Congrats to you for making this brave step!  I know many home schooled children (some who are now adults), finding them very well adjusted and equal to superior in educational accomplishments to those in public school. A few were special needs, but some were just not thriving in public school.


Do not feel you are teaching your child to run away!  It is courageous to refuse trying to "win" dangerous battles; it is wisdom to choose the better path for your family and it is strength of character to stand against societal pressure to conform.  (Stepping off my soap box now )

There are many support groups for those teaching at home, and Pnp has given you great advice.  You may also be able to "team teach" with another parent, swapping out areas you feel less able to teach with those you love to tackle.  Much depends on grade levels and the program you choose to follow.
Blessings to you as you enter this new and exciting educational adventure!

puppiesnponies wrote:pepsi - if the school cannot/will not keep your son safe from harmful bullying (we had that happen too when mine were in school), then it is the responsible thing to do as a parent to change tactics. It is a life skill to try to effect change where you can and also know when it is time to move on. Replacing a negative and potentially harmful situation with one that can have a positive impact on his future sounds like 2 thumbs up from me.
Both of my kids were special needs (one w/ an IEP and the other w/ a 504 plan) and the battles with school were nasty and can give me nightmares still today. I don't know anything about your situation other than what you have posted but just want to offer encouragement to you as you and your family make this transition.

The teachers have been trying to keep a closer eye on him and those around him but sometimes there's nothing they can do. Some of the physical attacks have lessened due to the fact they are standing in the hallways more between classes because of my complaining about the amount of times he's been shoved into walls, tripped down the stairs or simply pushed. 

However, the whispered words as they walk past him can't be stopped as easily. I truly believe words are far more powerful than the physical attacks against him. He can move on much more easily from those but words repeat in your mind and not so easy to overwrite. We make sure our words are always as encouraging and up building as they can be around our home. We have a strong belief that our kids try to be better people when they know what they are doing right and are happy. If they only have their faults pointed out then what do they have to look forward to or try for? 

As Will*O*Wisp said... stepping off my soap box now... I felt very strongly on this subject long before it hit home. Now I can sometimes get even more carried away. 

As you said, I'm trying to teach him that this is not running but fixing the issue... We can't change or control those kids but we can control ourselves. We do not have to stay in a bad situation when we can't make it better.

Will*O*Wisp wrote:pepsi - Life is so different for those in school now.  In too many areas decency and respect for others has left the building, and the educational culture has made accountability a thing of the past.

Congrats to you for making this brave step!  I know many home schooled children (some who are now adults), finding them very well adjusted and equal to superior in educational accomplishments to those in public school. A few were special needs, but some were just not thriving in public school.


Do not feel you are teaching your child to run away!  It is courageous to refuse trying to "win" dangerous battles; it is wisdom to choose the better path for your family and it is strength of character to stand against societal pressure to conform.  (Stepping off my soap box now )

There are many support groups for those teaching at home, and Pnp has given you great advice.  You may also be able to "team teach" with another parent, swapping out areas you feel less able to teach with those you love to tackle.  Much depends on grade levels and the program you choose to follow.
Blessings to you as you enter this new and exciting educational adventure!

Thank you all for your support. Brings tears to my eyes and relief from my shoulders to not feel so alone in our decision. 

This world has changed so much since I was in sixth grade. I don't recall the struggle to find where and with whom I fit in with to be this intense. To me it didn't include putting down or attacking others in any way. It was simply figure out what I like and find others who felt the same and hang out with them. Maybe I'm over simplifying in it but it's how I remember it. 

Anyway... I don't have a lot to offer other students as book studies are not my strong suit. I prefer to learn hands on, in person. I love to read (so much that it annoys my husband sometimes) but that's fiction. Fact is far more fun interactively. Not all parents agree of course and that's fine. Plus I'd rather be creative then study   Guess I can offer art/crafty time 

Oh you have a lot to offer! Kids also love to learn interactively and hands on. The fun you can have while being educational! Field trips! LOL

My daughter took a college class on the History of Kentucky. They went on field trips each week to see different things and had a corresponding assignment with it. Some things she liked, others not so much but there was no textbook involved at all and the admission fee for some of the places was free and some a small amount of money. She loved the class.

That is such a cool way to learn. I bet she remembers more from them then anything she would have read in books. I hope to include more like that in the next school year since I will have both my kids home.

Just wanted to update those who knew about my Hubby's back surgery last week. Everything seems to have gone very well. The doctor said there were no surprises so they were well prepared. He's home now and recovery is going smoothly. He still has a few weeks of downtime but that's ok. He needed a break from work anyway. Thank you all for the positive thoughts and prayers!

I'm so glad to hear the surgery went well and recovery going well too.

That is good news! Glad to hear it, thanks for telling us! 

Still sending some more healing thoughts. 

That is great news!!!! I know back surgery can be risky....so I'm so glad everything went well and he's recovering at home (with your expert care!).