Home Schooling Support Group

I'm going through some similar difficulties myself. I am home educating my daughter who is 12. I took her out of school 4 months ago as she was having such a hard time with a gang of older boys who were bullying her. She was physically injured and as school could not give me any assurances as to her safety, I felt that I had to take her out of that situation. She had always been 'quiet' at school and sometimes labelled as shy. Now she's flourishing and very sociable. She's made new friends with some other home educated kids, and she meets up with them 3 or 4 times a week for various activities. She's so much happier and more confident. The so called socialization she was getting in school wasn't doing her any favours at all. She was spending most of her time hiding from the bullies in the library. Are there other home educated families in your area? Maybe you could meet up and talk with them? My daughter's Dad is completely opposed to what we are doing and is taking me to court to try and get her back in school. We had the first hearing 2 weeks ago. My daughter will be devastated if this is what she is forced to do. I am doing all that I can to fight for our right to continue. I'd say definately follow your heart and head in this decision. If you think it's the right choice for you and your child go for it! Best of luck and I hope it works out well.

kinders,
Thank you so much. I pray that your daughter will not be forced back into school, when she was having such trouble with these boys!! I am currently looking at groups in my local area and have found some already. I know that she will just hide from them when we get there, but I have to try something. It seems like all I hear from people is "home schooled children are BACKWARDS.!" Sadly enough, this is coming from family!! Thank you for your response and I am delighted to see that your daughter is flourishing so well, and that her father does not "force" her to go back into a place where she was not safe!! :-)

This is such a common concern with people and I find with homeschooling my children if anything are more involved in activities. Join a homeschool group in your area - some of them have coop's so they can take a science class/spanish class together with other children. Our skating rink offers, homeschool skate. For $5 which includes skates, they can skate for 3 hours with other children. You can find another homeschooling parent and teach a class of history or science to the children together. Join a church group and you can do sunday school and alot of churches have programs on Wednesday evenings. You can start them on a musical instrument and they can begin playing with other children.

I am on a list of homeschooling activities and truthfully I can pick out something for my child everyday of the week if I wanted. I am in the Northern VA area and would be willing to share my info if any of you are in this area.

I totally agree with kinders post!!!! ;-) very well said!

I hope things are going well for you Stacy, hope you are homeschooling :)
Gma

My husband and I are raising our 13 year old grandson with asperger's. When I decided to homeschool him in 2003 both parents were very opposed. They saw what a difference it has made taking him out of the public "view". My prayers are with you kinders, I hope you win and court. I can not believe that her Dad is fighting you on this, doesn't he see what a different young woman she is. Please let us know how your court goes.
Gma

I have seen kids hid e behind their mom's leg like you say and all that. I have seen some really really bad cases of it, in fact, and one of them didn't get better UNTIL years later when her mom finally DID decide to homeschool her!!! The really bad shy stuff was while she was going to public school.

I used to work in a daycare, and soooooo many parents still try to sneak out on their kid! I know it's a tough time, but the truth is, psychology teaches us how trauma affects the brain, emotions, and how it can stay with us and affect us later in life and one such trauma is being left by your parents when you are too young to take care of yourself. Human infancy lasts 8 years. We don't build up MORE of a sense of security by being left alone by our caretakers. That just doesn't make sense at all. We develop a sense of security only when we know we can depend on things to go a certain way. If a parent leaves a tearful child in daycare but tells the child they're leaving instead of sneaking out, after a day or two, the child can develop a sense of trust because the parent said they were leaving but that they would be back after nap time and they DID return. The parent can be counted on. On the other hand, the child who looked around to see that the parent left w/o saying goodbye cries ALL DAY until the parent comes back. They don't play or eat because their first concern is security and they have none, so nothing else can be addressed. Sending ANY "shy" kid to school or to a strange babysitter or anywhere doesn't help them socialize. Usually, those backward kids that can't seem to socialize and seem somewhat sullen or depressed are those kids that were pushed away from security because someone was so sure that was the best way. It just doesn't work that way. If you get to a point where you can help your child build self confidence and social skills, (you can do it, I believe in you ), she will be MORE confident and outgoing as a result, not less.

BTW, I've seen 3 kids from different families that were terribly "shy", but were later homeschooled and transformed into kids that can strike up a conversation with a 40 year old and hold their own and enjoy it.

I totally disagree with what your family is telling you. Your daughter will do nothing but benefit,from home education. I have home educated my son,who will be 15 in January,for the past 6 years and 5 months and it has made him a wonderfully happy young man. We have the most wonderful relationship,that a lot of parents can only dream about. My son is well mannered,caring,thoughtful and has the advantage of one on one assistance as well as working and making good progress at his level. My son regularly goes out,or is 'social'. He attends taekwondo 2-5 times each week,he is a very active member of a golf club,and plays up to 5 or 6 times each week,including playing in competitions on a regular basis. He has made friends. He also regularly visits the local library,is a member of a dirt bike club and also has made friends and has regular chats with people on line on DS. Each time I go out in public,it reminds me of where I know my son is best and he constantly reminds me,that school is not the place he ever wants to be again. He was bullied on a daily basis. He has autism. I have watch my son progress from being a miserable boy being dropped off by the school bus,to a happy young man and I am honoured to have him as my son. In Tasmania,Australia,the number of students now home educating,has increased dramatically. I have learnt so much myself and it can be as fun as you want to make it. Subjects that were boring and difficult at school,I now thoroughly enjoy. My son and I do not use the term home school. We use home education or home learning,as it brings back bad memories. When we began home ed,we was told that going to school isn't socializing anyway. Socializing is learnt before a child even begins school. It is what is done with parents and mixing with other people. Do what you feel is right within.