[*~Amber~*]

I guess I should preface this as I am not anti-public school I am just against the was the US has been doing it. School are way over crowded and too many kids are going under the radar.


With the guilt? I mean I know I am doing the right thing by bringing them home next year but I still feel guilty that I am not keeping them in PS like they want. With the state of the public schools it just isn't a good environment for them but how do you get past them not getting the experience of school. I liked elementary school and all the activities and even junior high and high school wasn't excruciating. I know in the long run that homeschooling is better but I sometimes feel guilty because they crave the attention from other children. My dh is ok with me homeschooling but he thinks that PS won't do them any harm. So I can't express these fears to him.

[clouise]

What is it you think they are missing? Time with other kids? Recess? Field trips? Maybe if you can put your finger on what it is, you can find a way to do those things. Also, think about if the school you are zoned for would even provide those things. Let's face it, a lot of my happy school memories are not academic in nature. I remember field trips, class parties, cupcakes on my birthday, recess with my friends. A lot of those things are no more between budget cuts, allergy concerns, and the testing hanging over schools' heads. There's a co-op where we live that does holiday parties and field trips, among other things of course, so I'm looking forward to that. If you don't have a co-op maybe scouts or a church group could meet some needs. Again, it just depends on what you are looking for.

[BensMom]

I don't feel guilty, because IMO, school isn't what it used to be. Anything that I miss from my childhood can be duplicated in a homeschool setting, and anything I don't miss from my childhood can be taken out of the plans I have for my kids.

The longer I HS, the more I realize this is the only option for us. I'm not anti-PS, either, but like you, I'm very anti-what-PS-has-morphed-into-today.

[*~Amber~*]

I think I feel most guilty about them not getting to see other children every day, I know that isn't necessary or important, but to them it is. They like the school activities, like family fun night( a carnival), the land run, school plays etc........ I know after all is said and done they are better off with me but I feel bad that they feel like they are missing something major.

[BensMom]

Seeing kids all day, every day, IMHO, is a BAD thing. To be properly socialized, children need a variety of contacts, especially parents, and they need to be put in situations where they can be taught social skills. "On the job training" is great for adults, but I don't think that's how kids need to learn.

We don't see other kids every day, either, but we do see them 5-6 days per week.

[in_mommy]

Do you have any groups around you that you could join? There are plenty if activities like that around here if you choose, I am sure you could find something almost everday of the week. I bet once they see what life is really like at home then they wont miss it as much. They will need an adjustment period.

[MountainMomma]

You might look and see if your state allows you to dual enroll. That's what I have done. My kids still participate in band, sports, and some other extra curricular activities. They also go into school for the state testing that I am required to submit each year. Because they are dual enrolled, fees for driver's education (required to get your license before the age of 18 here) are greatly reduced.

[hiskid1324]

I honestly don't worry much about them not getting out with kids. We have about 20 kids between 0 and 18 in our neighbourhood, so we do see them from time to time, and then I take them to the library reading time (mine are little) once a week.... which we probably won't be doing for much longer. Rebecca takes gymnastics once a week, and attends AWANA Sunday evenings.... that's about it. We play in the neighbourhood, go to the parks, and go to handbell practice/performance for my handbell choir, plus attend church on Sunday mornings. When we were little we didn't do much more than a few play dates or whatever every week, but by the time my sister and I were in our teens I had two activities that were social-oriented, and my sister had something nearly daily (2 dance classes, cadets, drumming class, volunteer work at a nursing home, etc). She was the one who had a higher need for getting out and doing stuff. But, we had friends over a lot, and went over to friends houses as well, and we had paper routes (afternoon routes).

[Frackel]

To be honest, I'm not even slightly worried about it.
We see other kids far less than most do. Though we did spend testing week with a whole crap ton of other homeschool families, lol.(doesn't really count I guess, the kids were testing and parents chatting).

My kids get plenty of socialization with other kids when we DO get the opportunity to go somewhere. I'll admit, it's not often, because of where we live and the fact that I can't drive. But it's not an aspect that really bothers me much. It did, at one time, well a little anyway, but really after watching them the last couple years, after pulling them out of school, I'm not worried at all about it.
They go visit my mom, frequently, and there are a lot of kids there they can and do play with. Sometimes they visit my sister too. She doesn't live in the best place but there are a few kids that they can play with there too.

Activities, we don't do. They're too expensive and not a single one within walking distance. But my kids do get out of the house, they do interact with other people, including kids. So, I think in the end, it'll all work out.
If later on down the road things change-which I'm quite certain they will at some point-and the kids really want to be involved in something(and I actually can make it happen), we'll do it. Until then, we're pretty content.

The kids were worried at first about leaving the friends they did have at school. But we sat down and had a few long talks about it. School is the ONLY place they saw these kids, none live anywhere near us(there are only a few kids near us, a couple they are allowed to play with, most they are not, lil hoodlums). During school hours there wasn't a whole heck of a lot of socializing going on anyway. The girls don't get recess at their ages, so cut that out too. They realized on their own they weren't missing much. Now, it's not even a topic of conversation. Except when their idiot father brings it up, but they just ignore him and don't answer(they used to, but he doesn't listen, lol, they've learned to tune his dumb comments out).

I think you might realize that what you worry about now, you won't so much once you get going. Because there are ALWAYS ways to get your kids out there with other kids, if it's truly a concern. The best part about it is, you can do it on YOUR terms, at times convenient for you, with kids(sorry to say this, but it's true) you actually want your kids to be around, etc... It'll all work out for you, I'm sure

[*~Amber~*]

I am going to respond but I am leaving for he homeschool convention, so I will have to come back later.

[Jill0924]

My girls are little, but already they are out and about with lots of social activities. We do gymnastics and story time weekly plus get together's with our little homeschooling group I started and play dates. I would say to talk to the kids about what exactly they will miss and then find alternatives with them. If they will miss recess, maybe schedule in time at the local park after school hours so other kids will be there or organize a weekly play date with some school friends. If they worry about missing celebrations, have them plan out days to celebrate in your school year. You can still do 100th day of school, pajama day, backwards day, hat day, etc... let the kids choose which days they want to do and put them on the calendar and promise them you will go "all out" on those days If it is carnivals and events they will miss, maybe you can still go to them. Our school doesn't stop everyone at the door to see if you attend there, as long as you have school aged kids you are welcome. If you keep in touch with some classmates they can let you know when and where the events are happening and you can go with them Or you can find alternatives ... a trip to the aquarium, zoo, museum, amusement park, or circus may be an acceptable replacement to the kids and then again, put it on the calendar so they can look forward to it. I think talking it out with the kids will make you feel a lot better, and them too because they'll know mommy is listening to their fears too. Change is hard for everyone, even when it's whats best.

[2pinks&ablue]

Honestly, I haven't found it hard at all to get my children around others and there only young! Alyssa does dance from Sept-April, both of the older kids play soccer in the summer, they do storytime weekly over the summer, Kid's Church every Tuesday night, and Sunday School on the weekend. They have friends, and we do playdates once in a while. It makes it easier that the sports my kids are saying that they want to play (although they may change their mind) are available outside of the public school system (soccer, dance, and hockey).

[*~Amber~*]

Thanks girls I think I just needed to hear that there are alternatives out there and they it won't permantly harm them if they miss put on the so called "rights of passage" that are in PS.