Is there anyone out there like me?

[MiddleMom]

I have three children dd 11, ds 9, ds 4. Both my sons learn easily and are in Christian school and we love it. Up until a week and a half ago, my daughter was in the same christian school. She has several learning issues that make it too hard for her to continue in a regular ed classroom even with all the accommodations the school was willing to make. I will be homeschooling her the rest of this year to help her stay on target where she can, and catch up where she needs too until she can get into a charter school for the learning disabled next school term.

Is there anyone else out there doing both with kids in school and homeschooling at the same time?

I'm feeling stuck in the middle, criticized by moms with kids in school who encourage me to stop home schooling as soon as possible and (this one hits the hardest) home school moms who think I'm only 1/3 of the way to smart because I haven't pulled both my boys out as well. Through all my struggles trying to help my daughter stay in a reg. classroom and feel normal, I have received the most criticism from home schooling moms. Now, I am a home schooling mom because I will do WHATEVER I need too for the sake of my child, not because I've had some epiphany moment where I now realize the error and inferiority of my educational choices thus far.

In my opinion, both forms of schooling have pros and cons and I am choosing the option that I feel is best for each of my individual children as well as the stability of my family. I don't agree that I will be making a mistake if I end up deciding to continue home schooling at the end of this year, or after trying this new school next year. Nor do I feel leaving my sons in school and putting my daughter back in school next year is a mistake or reflects lazy or bad parenting....(I actually do less work home schooling her than I did trying to get through reg. ed. homework).

Is anyone else out there doing both?

Is anyone else out there home schooling reluctantly because you'll do anything for your child, but it isn't your first choice?

Are the home schooling moms I've run into (who think it's the end-all-be-all form of education and all else is inferior) the majority or a select few?
Thanks for your time and responses,

[JudoMom]

I have three children dd 11, ds 9, ds 4. Both my sons learn easily and are in Christian school and we love it. Up until a week and a half ago, my daughter was in the same christian school. She has several learning issues that make it too hard for her to continue in a regular ed classroom even with all the accommodations the school was willing to make. I will be homeschooling her the rest of this year to help her stay on target where she can, and catch up where she needs too until she can get into a charter school for the learning disabled next school term.

Is there anyone else out there doing both with kids in school and homeschooling at the same time?

I'm feeling stuck in the middle, criticized by moms with kids in school who encourage me to stop home schooling as soon as possible and (this one hits the hardest) home school moms who think I'm only 1/3 of the way to smart because I haven't pulled both my boys out as well. Through all my struggles trying to help my daughter stay in a reg. classroom and feel normal, I have received the most criticism from home schooling moms. Now, I am a home schooling mom because I will do WHATEVER I need too for the sake of my child, not because I've had some epiphany moment where I now realize the error and inferiority of my educational choices thus far.

In my opinion, both forms of schooling have pros and cons and I am choosing the option that I feel is best for each of my individual children as well as the stability of my family. I don't agree that I will be making a mistake if I end up deciding to continue home schooling at the end of this year, or after trying this new school next year. Nor do I feel leaving my sons in school and putting my daughter back in school next year is a mistake or reflects lazy or bad parenting....(I actually do less work home schooling her than I did trying to get through reg. ed. homework).

Is anyone else out there doing both?

Is anyone else out there home schooling reluctantly because you'll do anything for your child, but it isn't your first choice?

Are the home schooling moms I've run into (who think it's the end-all-be-all form of education and all else is inferior) the majority or a select few?
Thanks for your time and responses,

:grouphug: I'm sorry you've run into some stinkers. I know there are some families on this board who have kids in ps & homeschool others. Good for you for doing what is best for your family.

[5knights3maidens]

I have a high schooler in christian school and 4 at home. (others graduated from christian school). Do what is best for your family. Do not listen to any of these people. You know what your children need. so there....:lol::lol::lol:
Sorry, I'm in a very silly mood today and I really don't know why. :D

[Laurie4b]

Well some people just believe that homeschooling is the only right option, and yes, there are quite a few of them. For some, it's a religious conviction.

You have to be secure in your own choices and do what's right for each of your kids. On this board, long ago, someone coined the saying, "Pass the bean dip." Essentially, it's "code" for changing the subject when someone opinionated comes along. You'll just have to learn to say that you're doing what you think is right for each of your children and then switch the subject, and don't let it bother you.

[MicheleB]

I do homeschool all my children, but I have to tell you that this year I've thought a few times about putting my oldest two in school so I could focus on my younger two (the ones with the most severe learning disabilities).

I'm sorry you're feeling judged. People really should just stay out of other people's personal convictions and decisions for their families.

I honestly think it would be harder for me to have some in school and some homeschooled. Two different schedules to keep up with, etc. You're doing an amazing job keeping up with all of that!! :)

And like Margarete said, YOU know what's best for your children!

[LizzyBee]

My oldest is the type of student classroom schools were designed for - auditory-sequential learner and extroverted. She is attending a public charter high school this year and thriving. I still have 2 at home - one is mildly dyslexic and the other is at least moderately dyslexic.

I am on the board of our homeschool support group, and so far I haven't run into problems. I was a little worried that the other board members might be a perturbed when they found out that one of my kids went back to ps, but they've been supportive. If they have any ill feelings about it, they haven't said so to my face. :D

[dtsmamtj]

I don't understand what business it is of anyones how you educate your children. Our neighbor (before they moved) worked for our local public school and figured out that we home schooled our children. She didn't allow her children to play with ours : (

T

[Mandamom]

was in your position when I was homeschooling.

My oldest was having problems in school so we pulled him out and my 2nd oldest stayed in school. For the 5 years that I homeschooled my 2nd oldest always stayed in public school. It worked really well for us. Toward the end of the time I was homeschooling I was finding there was an increasing number of parents who were only homeschooling 1 of their children while the rest were staying in school. I think it is a growing educational choice.

Currently my kids are all in school (I'm working now) and somedays I really want to homeschool while other times I like where we are in life. I was definitely a reluctant homeschooler but I made the best decision at the time to pull him from school and it was the absolute best decision for the 5 years we homeschooled and it was absolutely the best decision to send him back to school when we did.

Good luck going through this transition. That is great that there is a charter school for learning disabilities as I currently teach at a private school for learning disabilities.

[HollyM]

Don't worry what other people think - just do what you think is best.


:)

[chaik76]

You're doing what's best for your daughter, and that's a wonderful thing.

I only have one school-aged child and he is home-schooled right now...but I would have no problem with having one or more in a brick and mortar school, while other(s) were homeschooled. I firmly believe in doing what's best for each individual child...several of my friends have one or more in school, and others at home. I even knew of a family that had three children...one in a Jewish Day school, one in Christian day school, and one homeschooled. The family picked the educational alternative that was best for each child.

And that's what you're doing! Providing exactly what your daughter and what your other children need at this time. :grouphug:

[MiddleMom]

Thank-you for all the encouragement. Time to keep my eye on the prize (and grow some thicker skin). I absolutely believe home schooling is the best thing for us right now.

[cillakat]

<<Is there anyone else out there doing both with kids in school and homeschooling at the same time?>>

My 7 yo thrives in school. My 9 yo *has* to homeschool.

Fundamentally, I'm a hardcore homeschooler......and dh is a hardcore 'school'er. Tricky situation;p

But I feel for you wrt feeling pulled in both directions. It's very difficult.

Wishing you all the best,
Katherine

[Starr]

We have more than one set of family friends that have some home and some in school. I'm sorry people aren't giving you the support you need.

[Renee in FL]

I have one in school and the rest at home. The one in school would hate to be home and most of the ones at home would hate school.

[kellycbr]

It will make you feel better when you respond with love.

I reluctantly agreed to homeschool our DS(7.5). DH and DS really wanted it, so I went along. I don't have a problem with HSing, its just that I'm not as organized, focussed and disciplined as I believe you really need to be to homeschool effectively. Sigh.....

The best part of HS has been spending time with DS. We are soo much closer, and I love being with him. At the same time, when he is ready, I will happily be sending him back to public school - or private, whatever is best for our DS.

DD (4.5) is in a private preschool, and will continue thru kindergarten. Then we will decide.

Keep strong, and know you're doing the right thing by your DC. I do know that I've eaten crow on everything I thought about parenting and hsing since I've experienced it first hand. Keep up the good work!