I am a new homeschool Mom. My daughter is eight and I pulled her from public school second grade in January. She started off excited and loving it but the last couple of weeks has been angry with crying and saying she wants to go back to school. Every day seems like a battle to finish our work and I have eliminated all but the core (Math, spelling and English), she has even stopped reading on her own. Socially we have 1-2 play dates a week, she attends a weekly bible study with other home schoolers and she played on a Basket ball team. Is this just part of the adjustment? I don't want to send her back to public school but I am concerned about the change in her and my relationship . I also don't want to make her hate learning. HELP!

I've never pulled my kids out of school since we homeschooled from the beginning, but from what others have told me, it sounds like just a normal adjustment stage to me. As young as she is, I wouldn't stress over the academics at all until you get the relationship issues worked out. With school coming close to an end for the year, you could even spend the rest of the year playing games with her, reading aloud to her, and building your relationship while learning together. You'd be surprised at how much she will learn just by playing games and listening to you read. You can also work together to cook or bake (and learn about measurements, fractions, etc), do sewing or crafts (more math skills), maybe get involved in gardening (science, nature) and visit the zoo or whatever museums might be available to you. You seriously could finish the last couple of months of school at never even open a textbook. Learning doesn't have to come from books, and your relationship with your daughter is much more important than any "curriculum" will ever be. Good luck!
Lori

Kami,
I am a mom of a 2nd grader too! A boy. We have gone through many tears. For a while he cried every day, and got spanked every day. It was a respect issue for us.

He loves the idea of being homeschooled, but doesn't really care for me teaching him. I think it is because he wants to be "perfect" and he can't be seen that way when I see all of his mistakes. Does that make sense?

We do the core courses all year and at the end of the year, for us it is the end of April. We hit science. That way we can really focus on it, and it is all we do, we have a good time.

I will pray for you. You are doing the right thing. Just as it is an adjustment to you and your schedule, it is an adjustment to your daughter. Be patient, it is worth it!!!!
Julie

Hi Ladies,
Welcome to the board!
They say the rule of thumb is that it takes 1 month for every year the child was in school to detox from school. So, if your daughter has been in K, 1, 2 - it might take 3 months for her to adjust - or more!
Spring is here! Garden, go for walks, go to the park. Get a glimpse into her heart.
Then worry about hitting the books.
Christine

We pulled our 8th, 4th, and 1st graders out of school in Oct. 2005, and now before we are starting the next school year, the soon to be 9th grader and soon to be 5th grader want to go back to school. They are adament. We want what is best for them all the way around, but I'm not sure how we'll function if they are completly unwilling. HELP

Hi Kathy,
First of all, welcome to the board. There are many people here with great ideas. I hope some others will chime in here, but I'll start.
When my teens were adamant about high school, we had a lengthy discussion about what they thought they were missing. Friends? We made sure they had other opportunities, like youth group and co-ops. Activities? We got them into swimming, drama and other stuff (the swimming was AT the public school and worked out beautifully). Their strong reaction is an emotional one. Seek out what the real reasons are and see if you can find ways to meet the objections.
In the end, you are the parent and sometimes have to make unpopular calls. My kids hated me for about 6 months because I wouldn't send them to high school. They graduate this year and only recently came to the conclusion that they are glad they were homeschooled.
Hang in there.
Let's hear from some other moms!
Blessings,
Christine

I wish I had some answers for you. Here is what we did, (still do to a lesser degree) when at a crisis with a son who was 10 at the time.

His issues were/are somewhat different but perhaps a similar approach would work for you. 10s is extremely bright and has a difficult time sitting still. He blurts out answers, always turns conversations to HIS topics of choice, (Revelation & Prophecy, WWII jets, Biblical history...) He doesn't understand when people don't want to do things his way and is very particular about following the rules. He wants to be liked so terribly much that he tries too hard. He doesn't seem to get common social clues.

About 4 years ago, His AWANA teacher called me at night, when Husband was away, to say 10s wasn't welcome in his class anymore. (((heartbreak!!))) We dealt with the teacher issue first and to make a long story short, we pulled 10s out of EVERYTHING and emmersed ourselves in Proverbs.

After a year of everything Proverbs, (including math, writing, grammar, spelling, physicology, ethics...) We slowing began intergrating him back into church, back to a bit more traditional homeschool, some friends.

His former teacher came to me not long after we started church again and remarked at the amazing level of maturity 10s had attained.

Son, now 14, continues to be a bit "behind" with his social skills but is vastly improved and his spiritual growth is amazing. He and his older brother and I have many late night discussions about Biblical issues. He is comfortable around adults but his age group shuns him still. 14s does not know his "favorite teacher" is the one who shunned him and wanted him out of AWANA. He has fond memories of AWANA and I don't want them spoiled. He only thinks I needed help at home with the new baby. He was adament about going back to church, quoted scripture to back up his desire... It was an extremely difficult time and my heart was broken several times for 14s. I could only pray for strength, wisdom, and courage to do what God wanted and 14s needed.

Arm yourself with Scripture. Sometimes when I was weary and had nothing to say, I would only ask him to quote the 5th Commandment then ask him how was he honoring me by arguing with my decision. If he wanted to change things he would have to petition God.

Some scripture you could use with your children....
"You have not because you ask not..."
"You have not because you ask amiss..."
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge HIM and HE will direct you path."
"Seek ye first the kingdom of God and HIS righteousness and all these things will be added unto you..."

HTH

This message has been edited. Last edited by: quiverofeight,

Quiver,
You are such a wise woman!
Christine