I am in the middle of making a very unpopular decision (with some). This decision did NOT come lightly... It came from watching my daughter fail when I know she can succeed... It came from talking to countless "experts" in the field of education... It came from the countless times I have had to take privileges away.... It came from wanting more for my kid than what she wants for herself today... It's from getting emails and phone calls from concerned teachers that my kid isn't focused... she is not organized... she is daydreaming... She is all over the place mentally except in the classroom where she should be...
I know there will be a few people in my life that I love who may believe they have the right to give me their opinion of how wrong our decision is... They will believe that they know how it works.. They will have very good intentions... I need the strength... the grace... the "God, please cover my mouth" patience.... I need to accept the fact that I don't have to explain or defend our decisions...... I know my kid.... My husband knows our kid.... And we know - this is the right thing to do for her... and She knows it's the right thing for her.... We are not blindsiding her... It never came down as an ultimatum... or a punishment - it came down to she knows she can't focus with too many distractions and she is tired of getting bad grades when she has always maintained great grades...
Public high school is tough... especially when there are in 39 kids in a class with an overworked teacher who does not have enough time or patience to help kids individually.... It's tough when a child who has a very hard time focusing has other kids that are not on task.. or there's a cute boy that she so happens to have a crush on that is sitting behind her... It's tough when she has to move fast between classes or risk an hour of detention for having a 3rd tardy.. It's hard when there's a biology teacher that gives notes and study details but chooses to make the test so difficult that over 70% of the class fails the test...
A decision is in the making - home school has improved so much in the last few years - there are many more opportunities... home school kids can have advantages that many other kids do not... After much research - prayer - back and forth - We found an on-line program that can have her stay in honors... it can keep her on track - it can go as fast or as slow as she needs... The California UC system gives it outstanding marks... We think this may be the chance to have her shine... The chance to keep her future happiness on track.... her current happiness and self esteem in the here and now where it should be....
As a parent who knows her kid.... I know - she knows this is the best move for her... I am not looking forward to the grief I know I will get... or the judgment... I know the proof will be in the pudding as they say... I have no doubt she will have a great future..... and I know one day she will look back and be thankful that she had parents that cared when she didn't.....
Nobody knows your child like you do, and nobody should judge you for that. I am sure you are making the best decision for your family.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like it is the right thing to do. Good luck. Oh this is Casey but I moved blogs http://caseysgoodlife.com
ReplyDeleteI give you kudos for having the guts to do this. It's not easy, but you love your child enough to do what is best for her.
ReplyDeleteHomeschooling, huh? I've been there and done that. The toughest "judgments" come from those who know nothing about Homeschooling. The first question that always comes up is "What about Socializing?" Answer that question with a question. What about Socializing? :) Seriously, there's a lot of excellent support out there and if you need any help at all with anything, please don't hesitate to ask. In the meantime, if you'd like I can send you some excellent links to check out.
ReplyDeleteGood for you! As a teacher, I admire parents who really know their kids and do what is right for them. Homeschooling is definitely the right choice in many cases.
ReplyDeleteUgh. You know what? Your child, your decision. It really annoys me that everyone thinks they have the right to tell others what's best for their child. A mom knows best.
ReplyDeleteGood for you for doing what's right for YOUR kid and for not caving to those who think they know better. I applaud you for wanting to home school your daughter. I know, for me, that would never work. I don't think I had the discipline to get my kids to focus. Fortunately that was never an issue for us. Good luck!!
ReplyDeleteI just saw your post via Denise's blog and I had to come over to pat you on the back - YOU KNOW YOUR CHILD, YOU CAN HELP HER! Good for you! We have 2 with dyslexia and one who is a natural I-don't-need-any-help student...we have HSed from the beginning (1994) with our oldest who was 4. We knew that he would have difficulty in a classroom setting and needed one on one help. It wasn't the most popular choice (HS has come a LONG way since then) but we knew it was the best for HIM...long story short, he's now 21 and in an apprenticeship - he did sooooooooooooo well learning at home. So did the other two - we have the last one in gr. 11 now. GOD IS GOOD! Plus, when they're at home, you can enjoy them in their "happy hours", not what's left when they get home.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy. It will take an adjustment (my kids have always been home w/ me) but it can be so wonderful!!!
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I do wish people would understand that giving advice that wasn't asked for and passing judgement just makes a hard situation harder. As a society, we need to learn to zip it!!
ReplyDeleteGood for you for making an informed and well thought-out decision to help your child succeed. All the best with this!!
I think it is wonderful that you are making the decision to help your daughter get the education she needs. You have to do what is right for your family and only you know what that is. Home schooling is the right choice for many children.
ReplyDeleteGood luck to your daughter.