New to Homeschooling

MauMama · #1 January 21st, 2012, 07:00 PM

Hi Ladies,

I'm Jen. I'm 31 and married to Matt who is 32. We have a 6.5 year old daughter Sophie, who you'll see in my sig has had a lot of challenges in the time since her birth. I have always had the goal of homeschooling, but a lot of people have told us that with her issues she *should* go to traditional schooling.

We live in NZ but I am from the Houston area in Texas. I had the luxury of a private school education that gave me many abilities and the freedom to be who I am. I feel Sophie doesn't have that luxury as she is being pushed into the mold and penalised for her anxiety. She does not toilet at school due to her anxiety. She has some friends, but she is very annoyed by other children and loud noises put her on edge and make her unwell.

I've decided to homeschool her this year (our school year starts in Feb and ends in Dec) but I have to get Ministry of Education's permission through a written exemption. I intend to get it done over the first term, but I'm told it is very hard.

I'm here to meet some like-minded Mamas who can help a newbie.

BensMom · #2 January 21st, 2012, 10:10 PM

WELCOME!! I'm in Austin, and I have a 6 year old who was just diagnosed with Asperger's about 6 wks ago. Homeschooling is the only answer for us. Academically, physically, and mentally, he's all over the place - very adultlike, but very childlike. He doesn't do well at all in a normal environment.

Jump right in and ask all the questions you want. If you haven't already, you should take a look at this site: HSLDA | Home Schooling - New Zealand.

2Corinthians10:4 · #3 January 23rd, 2012, 06:12 AM

Welcome! I don't know anything about New Zealand other than I would love to go there sometime lol. I am from Texas too, although NE Texas (Paris to be exact, but not everyone knows where that is).

Good luck and feel free to come on here for any questions or just to chat. Everyone here is always a lot of help!

MauMama · #4 January 23rd, 2012, 08:45 PM

Thank you ladies. I can't wait to start asking questions!!

So nice to see other Texans. Sophie knows she's is 'half-Texan' and very proud to mention it to everyone she meets. I'm a proud half-Kiwi, thrilled to live in NZ but I also miss the comforts of 'home'.

2Corinthians10:4 · #5 January 24th, 2012, 06:17 AM

How cute!

We are living in California now (Dh is in the Army) but at church on Sunday Addi walked up an announced to this group of elderly men "Hi, I'm from Texas!" lol. She was also wearing her cowboy boots she got for Christmas that I can't get her to take off lol.