My 12 year old wants to quit homeschooling

This is causing alot of tension in our home. We feel she is too bright and too sensitive to be exposed to middle school. My memories of middle school include daily sexual harrassment,threats and actual phsyical violence, and being surrounded by idiots. The school in our area is bad. She is a very gifted kid,very emotional, very sensitive for her age. I've been reading posts from some of the teens here who also seem a little burned out with homeschooling from time to time,would any of you kids like to maybe talk with her? Or any other parents been through this?

 

if it were my child I'd let her go, confident in the knowledge that she could always change her mind at any point for any reason. some kids actually like school and do well in that environment. I can see my younger daughter in that group. I'd never force school or homeschool upon my children if they really didn't want to do it.

 

Just because you had a bad experiance doesn't mean she will, right? I understand you want to do what you think is best and shield her from the pain you went thru, but at the same time, she needs to live her own life, right?

 

I also would let her go. My kids begged to go to "real" school in their elementary years and I let them go. I would have prefered to have homeschooled them for longer, but they seem no worse for the wear. Homeschooling is a positive thing no matter how long you do it. It shouldn't take on a negative aspect out of resentment from a kid who was forced to continue that path. And of course they can always come back home if it doesn't work out.

 

Cant keep going on like this. And look where homeschooled kids end up... douchebags like you trying to shelter their kids with advice from an internet forum.

 

We are going to send the last of four kids to school next year. Her older siblings still love homeschooling and want to stay home but she really wants to go. She will be entering third grade at a local private school. She is free to stay or come home at any time and everyone (teachers included) know this.


I had the same problems in school that you encountered but at a younger age (elementary school) and if she encounters any situations which we are uncomfortable with she is back home or we will switch schools.

Would your daughter compromise with some outside classes? Homeschool groups or coops? Maybe she could do some volunteer work? It all depends on *why* she wants to go to school.

 

Ok, coming from a kid - I can probably tell you why she wants to go to a normal school. Because of the other kids! You guys gotta stop thinking for your fucking self and see it through the eyes of the kid. She wants to have regular school friends, work, and atmosphere.. whats not to like? If she wants to go to school, then let her. And if it doesnt work out - whats keeping you from going back?

 

I would let her go. My son is 12 and that is a tough age. Its hard to let them make their own choices, but it is time to let them take more control over their life. You could always let her try, and if things were that bad, you could bring her home.
I too hated middle school, and mostly remember sexual harrasment from the boys and complete apathy from teachers. But that does not automatically mean that she will have the same experiences.
It doesnt mean anything about homeschooling, or you personally. Some kids just want to try something new and in my experience they ususally choose to come back home after one year.

 

I feel like you're trying to shelter your daughter from the real world...

She will eventually face situations that will make her uncomfortable, but this is a part of growing up. Learning how to deal with situations and problems that may arise. Think of it more than just education, but a chance for her to learn and interact with all different types of people.

 

Sexual harassment, molestation, and physical violence is not the real world. These are the uncomfortable situations that I was referring to in my earlier post. If keeping your child from these things is sheltering then I am guilty.

 

your sheltering your kids
kids need to go to public school
they need to learn how to interact with other people
social skils are vital and thats something that cant be learnt at home.

 

AS an adult who was homeschooled,

I would like to say that I had enjoyed my public school experince, but I can say I went to High school and it was all right. I have come to the conclusion that every Homeschool experince is differnt, and you at somepoint must let your children make choices for them self. I would not let a 12 year old go to public school, It would def. have to be a smaller middle school.

I am all for children making choices, she is 12 and DESIRES friendship, and the large circle sisterhood that she sees when she is in public. I remember being her age and wanting to hang out with the town kids.
But I want you to remember this she is only 12 and she will experince things in her life sure. But middle school in a public and open setting may not be something she needs. Cathloic MIddle schools are great as are christian based one too. it isn't all God based education and the experince is alright.

 

oh BULLSHIT

 

I say let her go. She is 12 and that is a sensitive age. I think if you didn't let her go and at least have some kind of voice in her education she may start to feel her opinions don't matter. It may be what she needs right now.

 

I would personally let her go. Hell, maybe she can change the things at her school. I mean, unlikely as it says, and as horribl as your school sounds, she might influence it a little if shes as sensitive as you say. I've gotten lots of people to stop physical violence at my school.. Anyway, yes, I suggest letting her go. Letting her react with others. Ithink it will help her grow into a brilliant woman. However, you should probably sit down with her and tell her about things she could experience there. Cause many kids in public schools are just plain fuckin' stupid. I suppose you could find that anywhere though.

 

Let's keep things friendly here, we are all entitled to an opinion but it doesn't have to include flaming.
H

 

I say I understand why you want to keep her home, but at her age she is old enough to make some decisions for herself. Maybe try it out for a while while still working on stuff at home too?
H

 

this was the school you went to. You don't have any idea if her school will be the same. If it is, then report these things to the school board. I never once heard of anything like this in any schools near me.

I am so thankful that I went to a public school and was not home schooled.

I think you should stand behind her and allow her to go to a normal school setting.

 

tribeoflight, give me a break...

It's no different if a child was asking their parent to take them out of public schools and into homeschooling. The original poster is unsure as to what to do in the situation. She has expressed her past problems with public schools, but she has yet to make a decision on whether or not her child will enter a public school setting. The original poster isn't being submissive or having their authority questioned in any way. She is a parent who is unsure of what to do and is looking for the best education for her child. She was simply asking for the opinions of other people.

I will agree, some of the remarks made in this thread are rude and immature, but nonetheless, this isn't to be blamed on public schooling.

 

To add to the poster above me... the people who are getting their backs up about this situation are too young to have children of school age and have no experience of parenthood and the difficult decisions you parents face. I don't have children my self but I can see your point, I would be wary about sending my 12 year old to school for the first time as the other kids would see him or her as 'wierd' which could potentially attract bullying. Just my opinion