- I thought I knew why I pulled my second grade daughter out of ps 5 weeks ago. I thought it was because she wasn't learning anything. I thought it was because the bright, happy, enthusiastic 5 year old that I entrusted to the ps system 2 and 1/2 years before, was not quite as happy or enthusiastic anymore. I thought it was because in Texas, they are so big on teaching the TAAS, that real learning just was not occurring. I thought it was because her teacher never had a kind word to say about this wonderful child. I thought it was because her teacher humiliated her in the lunchroom when my dd asked for the extra fruit cups so she could eat the cherries out of them. (The other kids at her table didn't want it so she got 6 servings.) The teacher made her eat them all at the pre-K table. I didn't find out until 2 a.m. the next morning when she woke with a stomach ache and spent the remainder of the night vomiting.
Those were all good reasons to be sure. But only in pulling her out of ps did I discover the real reason. I have my daughter back. Our family feels whole again. This is where she belongs. That's the reason. No one is going to care for her the way we do. School consumed all her energy from kindergarten on. She was exhausted at the end of her day at school and then had homework. Weekends were for Catechism class, church, and various activities. There was precious little time for family.
If family life is so important, how can we relegate it to a few minutes of meaningful conversation a week? That is what we had to settle for with her in school. As a society, what we value is what we spend our time and energy on. She's is so much happier now. She has the energy to pursue her interests and discover her talent. I'll never look back and wonder if I made the right decision. This is so right. My gratitude overflows for all those who have made this so easy for me, from the true pioneers of homeschool education, to those who are so generous in sharing their experiences and knowledge in the homeschool community and especially this site.
May your decision to homeschool be a rewarding experience for you and your family. - Nancy
- I just sent a letter of withdrawal to my son's school this morning after months of research, discussion and prayer. Why did we decide to do this?
-Bad school experiences: my son is 5.5. He has been to 3 different preschools. We pulled out of #1 because he screamed through any group activities, even after a month. We pulled out of #2 because of general environment. We pulled out of #3 for 6 weeks because of issue with another child being sexually inappropriate with a number of students. Kindergarten was a little better- at least until my son came home and said that all the kids hate him. Being AA, but not raised in "thug culture" (i.e. he has manners, respects teachers, doesn't fight, does his work) AA kids don't accept him, and other kids don't either- too different.
-Our child: Our son is very advanced in some areas (read Bible at age 4), but emotionally and socially struggles. We also dealt with some sensory perception issues in preschool #3. School wanted to have him "tested" i.e. labeled, but being AA and having a Special Ed teacher for a mom, I am more than aware of the dangers of having an AA boy labeled early on. (They failed to tell me that both emotional/social "immaturity" and heightened sensory perception are NORMAL for gifted children- did own research!) He is a great independent learner, and school just does not allow for that. He was also in school from 9-4:30, which left him exhausted. Tired + bored = recipe for behavior problems.
-Our Family: Being part of a minority religion, many holidays and activities commonly celebrated in school were not acceptable for our son to participate in. Some teachers are better than others about this. Besides, it's our responsibility to ensure our kids learn our religion, and I can do this best when son is not missing for 35 hours/week.
-A Test: My son had a week of snow days then a week of vacation. This proved to be a trial period for us. In that two weeks, my son has become more relaxed, more willing to listen, kinder to his sister, and more open to affection from us. He has overheard our conversations about hsing, and told us that he wants to be homeschooled. I can sense that he feels more connected to us, secure. As if to prove it, he has stopped wetting the bed. That convinced me.
Thanks for all your postings, they helped us decide.
~NY Mom
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