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Fairly Odd Mother

Frantically waving my magic wand to make wishes come true.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Should They Stay or Should They Go

To My Kids:

I have no idea if I'm doing the right thing.

Part of me thinks homeschooling will be one of the best things you'll remember of your childhood.

Part of me thinks you'll hate me for it.

Today I wasn't in the mood for any of the nonsense. The 40 minutes to do a 5-minute section of math. . .the sibling arguments. . .the "I can't do this" whine.

So, yeah, I did pull up the public school's website to see what I'd need to do for a mid-year enrollment. But, I don't want to make that kind of decision out of anger or frustration.

I want to make the right decision. For all of us.

We'll try again tomorrow and, hopefully, we'll figure this out.

Labels: Fairly Odd Kids, Fairly Odd Me, Homeschooling

20 Comments:

Suburban Correspondent said...: Whatever makes you happy will make the family happy (until they are teens, when nothing makes them happy).

Odd, though - homeschoolers usually don't feel the need to check out the public school enrollment info until mid-February. You've got a case of early-onset winter doldrums.

I recommend a week off. Or else have your oldest do her math in her room. No histrionics that way. Or, give her a timer, have her set it for 15 minutes, and tell her she can stop then. It's counter-intuitive, but it works.; 11:48 PM
Anonymous said...: I'm surprised that so far my kids haven't begged to be sent to school. Not once. Even on really really bad days when I sit in the living room and watch Star Wars and say the oldest can join me as soon as they read two pages of "Ten Apples Up On Top."

Yeah, they either really love me OR really, really hate public school. It's probably more of the latter.

But it's still early days.; 1:19 AM
Chicky Chicky Baby said...: I still think you're amazing for even trying. I can't even get through 5 mins of coloring in an Elmo coloring book.; 9:10 AM
Summer said...: I think every homeschooling mom has that. Heck, mine aren't even doing "real" stuff yet and there are days I'm questioning sending them of the school. LOL; 10:21 AM
Robin said...: (((hug)))

Be gentle with yourself.; 2:11 PM
Moments Of Mom said...: I am sure that whatever you choose will ultimately be the right decision. You can't really make the wrong choice. You are giving them such a gift right now, that even if you decide to enroll them in January of 2012 they will have benefited from the experience in so many ways.

And you know, I do think you are a saint for even thinking of homeschooling... never mind the doing.; 2:35 PM
Dysd Housewife said...: Send them to public school? The place where they will be taught all about body piercings, Strawberry Quick, how to snap a bra just right, or the correct method for getting a mini-bottle of Jack-D past "security"? Um...No if you have the moxie to teach them at home, then for goodness sake, preserve their innocence as long as you can.; 4:28 PM
Fairly Odd Mother said...: Wait, is Strawberry Quick a code name for something? This may just be funny irony but Belly was just asking me, as we drove home from the supermarket, if there is "strawberry milk", and I went on and on about how much I loved Strawberry Quik as a child. Mmmmmmm. And they do have an aunt and my close friend who has a tongue piercing, so I'm not sure we're the greatest models here.

I get your point, though! I would like to keep them somewhat sheltered from the big, bag world----there are some crazy things out there!; 5:14 PM
Shannon said...: Noooooooo! Don't go! We'd miss you!; 5:17 PM
Whirlwind said...: You know, I get the same thing from my daughter- who IS in school. There are some nights when it takes her 2 hours to do 5-10 minutes of homework. And other nights, when she has a ton of homework and she zips right through it.

It's hard, but I think your doing the right thing! If we didn't have their private school, I'd be homeschooling. And probably going nuts. Your doing a great job!; 5:57 PM
Dysd Housewife said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 7:13 PM
Dysd Housewife said...: FOM- I suppose I will forgive you for fratting with pierced evil do-ers. LOL But here is more info about the SQ. it's a drug, currently being enjoyed in a High School near you.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/

2007/05/02/health/main2752266.shtml; 7:16 PM
SabrinaT said...: Tomorrow will be a better day!; 12:48 AM
Sus said...: Just remember that the grass is always greener; that's one thing I've learned in my 32 years. If you send them to public school, you'll have days when you are sure you should pull them out. If you keep them home, you'll have days like this one. THe most important thing, I'm confident, is that you are there for them every day, and that they know that. And somehow it seems you have that completely covered. Good luck.; 10:57 AM
Anonymous said...: Been there myself! Something I mention when I'm completely frustrated...

Hope tomorrow is a better day! :); 4:18 PM
Anonymous said...: My English speaking children attend a Francophone school and my oldest daughter (grade 3) is struggling with reading. Every time I see her struggle I wonder if I have made the right decision (maybe she should be in English, maybe her and the teacher clash and she should be in immersion, should I take the privelege of learning a second language from my younger daughter by switching them both). As a parents we face so many tough decisions to question ourselves about. If it wasn't homeschooling it would be something else.; 7:25 PM
Fairly Odd Mother said...: You guys are all so awesome, including the flesh-and-blood friend who made me cry at her concern. We're ok. I love our lifestyle but I just worry that this is *my* dream and not something she would've chosen for herself. Although, the other day, when she saw that I was looking at the public school website, she exclaimed, "I don't want to go to school!". This, my friends, is progress as she has NEVER said that before.

Thanks again. {{group hug}}; 7:34 PM
Anonymous said...: I homeschooled my oldest for one year before I bailed. It's a tough job! It just didn't work for our family, but I'm happy to say that my kids are doing just fine in Public school. Homeschooling is something I would reconsider, but for now, we're sticking with public education.

Just realize that whatever your choice, it's ok. I think they come out fine in the end no matter what.; 10:25 AM
Gray Matter Matters said...: Personally I think the answer is to bring some public school kids into your house--that'll get your kids in line right quick. On the bright side, once my son improves him fine motor skills I believe he will be awesome at bra snapping. I personally was in awe when I met you that you homeschool.
I, as some others have said, can barely get through homework. Sounds like you need to keep all options on the table at all times so you can feel that the decision is all of yours.; 8:58 PM
Gray Matter Matters said...: Hmmm, could I have used the same words over and over enough? Maybe my mom chose poorly...; 8:59 PM