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Is it possible for a mother working full-time at home to homeschool? I am thinking not, if I would like to take my daughter to outside functions like a science lab or something...I really don't know what to think. My daughter is 12 and she does not like her middle school very much. Everyone is mean and bullying seems to be the in thing to do...She keeps asking me if I can homeschool her. I looked into it and found that for classes like science, there may be labs held out outside locations for school credit in that subject set up by homeschool organizations near my home. I don't want to get into something I cannot realistically do and possibly mislead my daughter. I told her I did not know and I would need to look into it further...I don't know. She really likes her orchestra class and would miss it...torn up a bit
Sincerely
Justine Allen
Thanks for letting me vent |
| Posted by Justine on 04/18/2008 12:18 AM
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| My kids are considerably younger than yours so I can't speak from direct experience, but it seems to me that as long as she can work independently while you are working, it should be no problem. I would think you may wish to choose a curriculum that doesn't require much or any preps on your part though. Either that or go with a child led approach and just primarily coach her and help her locate the resources she needs. |
| posted by Indigo Ottyr on 04/18/2008 02:55 AM
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I started homeschooling my son when he was 13 (because of bullying and death threats at middle school) and I was working 45+ hours a week as a single mom. We are in our third year of homeschooling and my daughter joined us two years ago when I was able to stay home and she began having problems with the girl-bullying thing (SHE was one of the girl-bullies!). Both children are happier and emotionally healthier since they began homeschooling. My son is in 10th grade and doesn't want to go to school again, so he'll graduate homeschool in 2010. My daughter very much wants to take part in high school social life, so, given her maturity level at the time, we are considering putting her back in school as a high school freshman.
There are science curriculums for which you can get home lab supplies for a moderate cost.
If you would like you daughter to attend supplement classes during the day, it might be possible to have another homeschool parent pick her up and take her, or a relative or family friend.
If you live near a larger city, they many times have orchestra, choral, and sports programs for homeschoolers.
My son would do most of his assignments during the day while I was at school. Evenings and weekends were for introducing new concepts, grading things, and doing things together. Since actual teaching and assignments don't take nearly as long as the 6 hours a day allotted for school, this worked very well for us.
My daughter is now 12, and if I were still having to work, I'd have no problem with her staying home alone while I worked, and doing it like I did with my 13 year old son. She is much more mature at 12 than he was even at 14 or 15! It's just one of the differences between boys and girls!
For more information on science curriculums that might work for you, check out:
A2Z Home's Cool
http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com
A Child's Best Interest (my own site of resources)
http://KellyLee.info
Apologia Science Curriculum (Christian-based)
http://www.apologiascience.com
You are welcome to vent here anytime - we all do it from time to time! lol |
| posted by Kelly on 04/18/2008 04:04 AM
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| Hi again group. Wow. Just reading the last two posts about bullying, that was one aspect as a reason for homeschooling I don't think I mentioned here yet, but....In 45 minutes I have a conference at school, partly because of low science grade and no communication from the teacher, and struggling with whether to report bullying in PE that my son has endured all year, and it's increasing. He's in advanced classes, and was put in with a group of boys that are in and out of ISS and are very different than Jacob. He's very small for his age. He came home yesterday with scrapes and a bad abrasion on his elbow and leg, and shoulder from being tripped while doing laps on the track. The verbal bullying and name calling is every day. In the past, the message I got was that "he'll just have to deal with it", "life's tough", or it being implied he asked for it. I am considering homeschooling for a myriad of reasons, but this is a huge one. It affects his self-esteem, confidence, concentration, everything. He is afraid if I report it it will only get worse, this has happened in the past and the school district did not protect him. Girls can be just as mean. |
| posted by Sandra on 04/18/2008 08:39 AM
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| I'd give you some advice but it looks like you got a lot of great advice already. Don't feel torn up about it though. Trust your instincts no matter what that might be. Even if that is to leave her in her school. In the end you are her mom and you will know what you and her can handle. You will do what you think is best. No matter what you decide you are welcome to this group :D. |
| posted by Jody on 04/18/2008 09:36 AM
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I'm glad Jody brought up that last bit. Although I believe that nearly anyone CAN homeschool if they want to badly enough, I do not believe that homeschooling is the best thing to do for every family. There are a lot of factors to consider, and, in the end, each of us must make the choice that is the best fit for our families. For some, that is homeschool; for some, it's private school; for some, it's public school; and for some, there are other options available that work best for them.
We won't judge your choice to homeschool or not homeschool, but will support you in whatever you choose. |
| posted by Kelly on 04/18/2008 10:22 AM
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| I think that everyone has answered your questions, but just thought I would add my support. It can be such a tough decision, just keep us posted. :) |
| posted by Anna on 04/18/2008 10:51 AM
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| I so agree with Kelly! Please even if you decide not to homeschool for whatever reason do not feel badly about it. All of us moms/parents want what is best for our children and for each that can be something different. There are some homeschool parents that have one homeschooled and one that goes to public/private school. That doesn't make them any less of parent. You won't find us in this group trying to push you to homeschool. There really is a lot to consider and like I said before even if you choose not to homeschool you are still more than welcome to be in this group! This is about support no matter what form that will be. This group is here for you no matter what. :D |
| posted by Jody on 04/18/2008 11:24 AM
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| Is there an option to have your daughter insulated some from the bullying girls by class selection or a specific academic program? I firmly believe that if a child is more sensitive, intellectual, or has other traits that make them more vulnerable to bullying, they do better among other children like them. If your daughter has been raised to turn the other cheek, and do unto others, she may have become a target. My son was raised that way, and now he is an easy target for the bullies. But, I would not change my decision to teach him that way. I only wish he didn't have to suffer now. I feel for any girl being bullied in school, it was horrible for me around 7th and 8th grade, until I had developed a social network with "nerdy" kids older than myself. That made me happy and I felt I belonged there at least. Anyone else remember how girls were in junior high and intermediate? |
| posted by Sandra on 04/18/2008 11:41 AM
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