OT - anyone here homeschool your kids?

My sister is considering homeschooling her youngest, which is currently attending first grade at a public school.

He is very bright, does well academically, and is generally friendly and outgoing with both adults and other children.  For some reason (we don't understand why) he has a lot of anxiety associated with school.  At school, he cries very easily.  For instance, if he can't find his pencil, he bursts into tears.  He does not do that at home, though.  He also shows a lot of distress if he thinks he is not getting something right.  For instance, he is supposed to read out loud to his mom or dad for ten minutes every day for "homework."  When he is reading to them, if he comes to a word he does not know, he gets very upset and it's hard to calm him down.  However, if he is not doing homework and does not know a word, he does not get upset.

Of course his teacher and the principal of the school recommend against homeschooling.  I'm generally in favor of homeschooling, though, and I think it would be great for him.  I have not known many homeschoolers, though, so I was just wondering what other people's experiences were.

my friend does her 3 children and works nights. I hate it and they need to be in public or a charter school...Schools have better resources and can see if theirs learning disability's or mental issues and a level a parent can't in a non prejudice way!
the social benefit can't be created at home. I think some do this because they think they can do a better job... not easy decision!
anxiety maybe ADHD, Autism, Ash burgers (if so needs to seek a professional help and req'd special education and that would eliminate must parents!).
just what I know... I hate it!

Thanks for sharing your opinion. 

I think a moderately-intelligent parent would notice signs of learning disabilities or mental issues, probably sooner than a teacher would since the teacher must focus on 30 other children as well while a parent can give undivided attention to their children.

I'm not sure what social benefit you think kids get from school that they could not get at home.  It's true that kids get bullied quite a bit at school and I guess it would be hard to create that at home, but then, why would you want to?

Public schools don't always have better resources than parents have at home.  I once worked with children with disabilities that were being mainstreamed in public schools.  One large city school was so short of cash that teachers could not make worksheets for their students - the school had no money for paper.  The student I was working with had dyslexia and the teacher would write problems on the board and students were supposed to copy them onto notepaper, then solve the problems.  This student could not copy the problems with her dyslexia.  I bet her parents could have made worksheets for her if she was homeschooled, though.

Very true Kelly. There are many resources for homeschooled kids with disabilities. Parents will normally be able to recognize a problem with learning or other symptoms with mental issues. Heck most kids are diagnosed with things like ADHD, Autism (a form of which is Asperger's syndrome which I believe is what was meant) way before they ever would have been old enough to attend public school. Homeschooled kids don't have to deal with bullies, undo stress, and why should they have to? They'll have plenty of time to learn to deal with those issues. It shouldn't be "required" to learn that stuff in first grade!

Wow. I'm sorry you've had such a bad experience with homeschoolers. A good friend of mine is a prime example of what homeschooling SHOULDN'T look like- it's embarassing to the rest of us.As far as socialization, school is for LEARNING not socializing, and quite frankly, there's too much "socializing" being done in the bathrooms, under the bleachers, and so forth- while MOST comes in the form of bullying. Socializing is for AFTER school. Our kids are involved with PE classes, choir, music lessons, etc. that are all offered through our homeschooling community (and we live in a fairly small town!).

Last, but not least, parent of homeschoolers recognize learning disabilities, on average, 3 YEARS sooner than the school system. Why wouldn't we? We have strict one on one time with them. And we homeschool them because we have their best interest at heart, why wouldn't we notice, recognize and get help for them ASAP. I have two daughter that have Asperger's, and one of them sees a Psychologist weekly. We also have another daughter with learning disabilities that is taking testing through the local school system (which is required by our state for them to offer)

Homeschoolers are like most every other parents. We just happen to be blessed with the ability to want and be able to teach our children at home by ourselves. It isn't a public vs. homeschool issue at all. It's what can we do that would be best for OUR children.

It's illegal here, but several of my friends do it back in the US. It seems my more devout Christian friends seem to lean toward it. When I was younger, my youth minister's wife home schooled their three boys. It was all okay and they grew into fine young men, but when they were small, they couldn't hold a conversation with you that wasn't about the bible. It worries me when parents with super strong opinions about something shelter their children from other opinions and the allowing of free thinking. I am not a general fan for that reason. It makes me think of the Duggers.

I doubt your sister would have the same problem.

It always surprises me when I am reminded that so many countries over where you are do have laws against home schooling. 

I am (and have for the 6th year now) homeschooling my children. They are all very different, with wildly ranging capabilities. When I finally started homeschooling my kids, I learned WAAAAY too much about what my kids HAD learned in school. Things that I would NEVER teach my children, and in ways that seemed to inappropriate for my beliefs. In fact, my 4th grade teacher was having the children read aloud "A Child Called It". If any of you have read it, it's a terribly violent book about child abuse, and SERIOUSLY disturbing. It was required reading in my college Psych class for good reason. We have a WONDERFUL time, there is TONS of free curriculum and information out there. My kids have waaaay too much socialization (PE, Choir, Music lessons, Sports). But, lets face it, why put them in school to LEARN if your more concerned with them being SOCIALIZED. My kids can relate, with equal conversation, to both children AND adults. They get to experience REAL LIFE by going to different community organizations and volunteering. I could go on and on. Please, feel free to send my e-mail to your friend and I would LOVE to introduce her to all of the GREAT opportunities out there!! [email protected]

I have not read A Child Called It.  Well, I skimmed through it once very briefly and to be honest, it was too disturbing for me to read.  I cannot believe they would assign that to fourth graders to read.

I will pass on your email, thank you.

I work FT days, and don't think I'd have the energy at night.  But, I have used a very small private school until it closed and loved it.  There are really good homeschool groups locally - something that your sister should check out.  That way, there is socialization outside the home and, parents can take turns teaching their areas of strength.  Not that he couldn't get socialization through sport programs or cub scouts. 

If he stays in public schools, he should get some accommodations and assistance to help with overcoming his anxiety.  I've actually been quite happy with my dd's special education plans and how they've coped with her disability.  The only time I was really concerned was when I was told that she might not be able to attend (too many seizures). 

If your sister wants to continue with public school and needs help, try a parent advocate. 

Hope things improve for your nephew very soon.