Help! Homeschool advice?

[BlessedAssurance]

Basic Question:
How do you decide when to pull the plug on public school?

Background:

Okay everyone, my daughter (12) is absolutely miserable in Middle school (grade 6). Every morning she has a stomachache, headache, miserymisery. Mind you, this is a very smiley child except about school. I am a high school science teacher with a minor in English who can't work due to a disability, so I COULD teach her.

Her grades are acceptable, but not reflective of her ability. Her organizational skills are poor, but none of these teachers will teach her HOW to organize. She has trouble focusing on school work when other students are out of control. She can NOT tune out other children. She does not tolerate fools well, and does not handle teasing well either.

I don't understand why her teachers are teaching what they teach, how they teach etc. She is furious that she has to learn about Ancient Greek gods/goddesses; she is outraged that they use words like 'supposed' and 'allegedly' when discussing Christ.

Finally, she began having visions this summer. She has heard other children's thoughts about their parents' fights. She can see demons. :panic One of her teachers (English/Reading/Homeroom and Homebase) is fascinated by ghosts. She gave my daughter a ghost story, which Maura KNOWS are demons, and told her to read it for class. :shocked I wrote back that my daughter has a vivid imagination and that she's not allowed to read those books. Mo did NOT want to read that book. It reeked of evil, and I made her leave it in the car overnight. Well, lo and behold, MANY selections revolve around ghosts.:rolleyes Guess whose classroom has demons in it? Guess who doesn't like my daughter?

So, on the good side, Maura MIGHT be happier at home. I KNOW she'd learn more. I have a good resource in a home schooling mom who'd be happy to steer me.

On the bad side Maura and I butt heads ALL the time. She is very difficult for me to teach. She loves to play the trombone, and I have a friend who could/would give her private lessons, but then Maura couldn't do concerts.

I'd only HS her through this year and next, possibly eighth too. I know the high school really well, and my husband teaches there, so I'm not worried about her re-integrating in 9th grade.

We have a meeting with her teachers Monday afternoon, and they'd better be able to explain why my happy child is miserable. And why they aren't protecting her from bullies.

If you've read this far, please say a prayer for us. We're not sure which path will be better.

[Waratah]

Hi BlessedAssurance,

I have never posted in the Homeschool section here on RR but I have been homeschooling for 3 1/2 years. I pulled my son from PS when he was in K as he was doing shapes and the alphabet which bored him to tears when he was able to do math in his head and already knew all his phonics and was starting to read etc. Plus, we were preparing to relocate within a few months so I thought it wouldn't hurt to try it. I still only take it a year at a time and continue to follow God's leading in it all.

Now my kiddos are only 8 and 5 so I am afraid I don't have any experience with middle schoolers. I do understand what you mean about butting heads though as I am the same way with my 8 year old. We do get on each other's nerves easily but I have found that since he is able to work more independently now, it's not such a big issue. It might be even more so for a middle schooler. Since she does not like her school, that in itself may encourage her to co-operate as your student.

One thing I will say though is that God plays a big part in me getting through each day. Homeschooling is not for the faint hearted and it can drive you nuts sometimes. For me though, it's so worth it!

As far as other activities, you could try finding a homeschool group in your area. Also, there are often co-ops where students can gather to participate in all sorts of activities. We have about 70 families in our group! Maybe your friend is a member of a group?

I will be praying you!

Blessings,

Waratah

[BlessedAssurance]

Thank you for replying and the honest feedback and encouragement. Yes, we do have a very active home school group here. I think they do co-op classes for some subjects. And she would meet some other decent people.

[txmomof3]

My husband and I just made the final decision to homeschool our 12-year-old son and 9-year-old daughter last week. Many of the reasons we started really thinking about it stemmed from our son starting middle school and him have many of the problems your daughter is having. I started doing US History earlier this week on a trial basis with my kids and fully intend on pulling my kids out of public school by Spring Break. I would pull them out today, but I had major back surgery 2 weeks ago and need another 4-6 weeks to recover and be able to give my kids everything they need.

I would go for it if you and your husband feel convicted to do it. Everyday, I am finding fewer reasons to send my kids to public school.

[Lucy]

Wow..
I'd like to just say that you don't have to be a certified teacher to teach your child. You need to know that GOD is in control and that HE does equip you for what he calls you to do. Parents are the very best teachers from the very beginning to the end. The schools that teach teachers to teach, use methods that incorporate the necessary crowd control and that will not be a problem in your home. You can choose the proper and appropriate curriculum that best suits your child. There are many outside groups that welcome homeschoolers and they will encourage and help you find resources along the way.
The other thing is that your child can most certainly still perform in concerts, theaters, private performances, orchestras...The public school isn't the only platform in town! They are also eligible for all sorts of college scholarship programs should they choose to use their talents for a higher education. My hsed son accompanied a young violinist on his piano the other night and it was for and audience of more than 300 people. The violinist is one of the leaders of our town's Youth Orchestra and at the tender age of 13 has been chosen to do all kinds of programs and leadership roles.
The NEA has really pulled the wool over so many eyes that it makes me sick. They bill themselves as "professionals" and look what they put out. They want you to think that you are not able to do anything without their "professional" advice and consent.
I would also like to add that homeschooling your child is a calling. It is a lot of work, and takes a great deal of commitment on everyone's part. We began by making a commitment to the Lord that we would trust in Him and that we would expect and allow Him to lead us. We promised,like a marriage vow, that we would not give up if times became hard or challenging and God has blessed us abundantly for many years and a handful of children. Going back to a public school has never been an option.
Before you take your child out, you must know that the 2 systems are very different. You must commit to one or the other and support it . A house divided will not be able to stand for any length of time.
I wish you the very best in your decisions...

[Jesusshineonme62]

Dear Blessed,
I just want you to know that I had the very same experience with my daughter in the 7th grade. It was horrible. My poor daughter was MISERABLE. I am a single mom and need to and have to work. I told her there was NO way I could HS her. But all the while I was telling her that, the Holy Spirit was saying to me "Train up your child in the way of the Lord". So finally I said "God your in control, and if you say there is a way, then that is what I will do". I quit my job as a Nail Technician (manicurist) and worked from home for a while and then started back again at a salon that would allow her to come with me. God worked it all out. She is doing Great! Lean on Jesus. I pray you do take her out, she sounds like this is going to have a grave affect on her, if you keep her in there.
I will be praying for you both.

[Lucy]

Also, please let me ammend my post by saying that I don't know you, your situation, or what God is doing in your life. Everyone is in a different place. Let the Holy Spirit speak to your heart and you will know what needs to be done and what doesn't. You obviously love your child very much and care deeply about her situation. I am sure you will do the right thing, whatever that is for you. I pray that you find the answers that you seek.
~l

[txmomof3]

Also, please let me ammend my post by saying that I don't know you, your situation, or what God is doing in your life. Everyone is in a different place. Let the Holy Spirit speak to your heart and you will know what needs to be done and what doesn't. You obviously love your child very much and care deeply about her situation. I am sure you will do the right thing, whatever that is for you. I pray that you find the answers that you seek.
~l

:agree

I have spent months in prayer with God over this issue. As the months have gone by, I have had the following things happen that let me know this is the path that God wants my family to walk down:

I continue to feel more convicted to homeschool with every passing day.
My children are increasingly receptive to the idea and would start full-time homeschool today if we could.
I was originally going to start HS next school year, but I have realized that it is such an important thing that I don't know if we will even make it to Spring Break.
God keeps giving me signs, such as yesterday's decision by the TEA to amend the science curriculum in Texas. Teachers no longer have to teach the weaknesses of the theory of evolution. My son will take Biology in 2 years...I am not going to have him subjected to something we don't belive in.

[Lucy]

I live in TX and the way that all came about is a travesty! My hsing girlfriend has a husband that teaches High School (PS )Science-Chemistry, etc. and he quit his job. Talk about a leap of faith. Awe inspiring to watch... Surely God will bless us for trying to be obedient to His word. It sounds like you have already made up your mind.

Barb Shelton at The Homeschool Oasis has a lot of good, seasoned advice about this and other subjects relating to this situation. Check her out. I still go there and read from time to time when things get hairy over here.

[txmomof3]

I live in TX and the way that all came about is a travesty! My hsing girlfriend has a husband that teaches High School (PS )Science-Chemistry, etc. and he quit his job. Talk about a leap of faith. Awe inspiring to watch... Surely God will bless us for trying to be obedient to His word. It sounds like you have already made up your mind.

Barb Shelton at The Homeschool Oasis has a lot of good, seasoned advice about this and other subjects relating to this situation. Check her out. I still go there and read from time to time when things get hairy over here.

Thanks for the info!! It is very telling to me that a teacher has already quit his job over this. I did not think that things in Texas would come to this so quickly.