[PamalaLauren]

It's a simple vent. I'm tired of people trying to prove to me that public school is good. Sorry I don't think it's good for my child. I'm not saying public school sucks in general, although it sure can be improved. I'm just saying that it's not for my child so I'm homeschooling. No she won't be stuck indoors all day, heck she'll probably be outside more often and yes she will get to socialize with other children because she won't be indoors. I know it's hard to comprehend but school is not needed to socialize a kid. Anyhow don't try to convince me otherwise, I know what I'm doing.

[Alejandros Mommy]

(((((HUG)))))

No need to explain yourself. I completly understand. We are thinking of homeschooling Aiden. He is the same age as Kaylee. He is just so far ahead in things atm that I honestly think he'd be bored! :P Do what is best for your child and ignore the rude thoughless remarks.

[twinzplus3]

To be honest, I think most homeschooling parents can relate to that frustration. Personally I have found that many people are just curious. . .not asking to be rude but just are curious. So I answer--and not defensively. Then I find that other people are rather opinionated but I don't find that I will sway them by being equally opinionated. . .so I just close the discussion with something like, "Oh that's nice. So how 'bout those Mets?" Or some other equally completely off the wall topic. If I have to, I simply say the subject is closed. Just as you are convinced that hsing is the best for you, others are convinced that it's not and so be it. You don't have to listen.

[vanaden]

Public school does suck!!! Don't feel bad for saying it.

I see 2nd and 3rd graders standing around my daughter (who's 5) going, " I'm gonna choke slam you!" and cussing. They don't listen worth a crap. I watched this kid get told 10 times, "sit down. " and he stood there and stared at her and didn't listen AT ALL. Just looked at her like she was dumb.

It's scary to trust these people with my child. Training starts at home though.

[deedee1231]

I think too that a lot of people, especially people with children in schools, just don't understand because they simply don't think they would be able to do it themselves. I can't tell you how many times I have heard one or another of my friends say "I am so glad tomorrow is Monday so I can send these kids back to school!" Or, "I can't believe summer vacation starts next weeks, what am I going to do with these kids for 2 and a half months?"

The thing is, they do not spend large quantities of time with their own children and when they do they do not spend it on constructive activities. So the children run them ragged because they are unorganized and they can't wait to get a break from them. So they don't understand someone who voluntarily spends ALL of their time with their children.

Then there are the parents who don't think they are smart enough to homeschool, so nobody else could possibly be smart enough either. Their kids bring home homework assignments that they don't understand and they get frustrated trying to help them. The thing they are not realizing is that those text books can be very confusing. And most homeschoolers do not use those mass produced, all encompassing text books. We teach one thing, teach it thoroughly, then go on to the next step with a solid foundation to build on. We do not jump in to the middle of a text book, with no understanding of the first 10 units, and try to figure out unit 11 just because the student needs help at that point, which is exactly what a lot of parents are doing when they get annoyed because they can't understand 5th grade science!

But whatever their reason for criticizing, it can be very irritating. I just avoid those conversations as much as possible.

[twinzplus3]

Okay. . .on a rare occassion I admit that I just say something like, "Oh yeah--they learn lots of stuff you know like yesterday we were watching sponge bob and the kids wanted to make crabby patties. . .and today it's Spanish with Dora & Diego. Tomorrow we'll do music with High School Music Sing-a-long edition."

[PamalaLauren]

I get more grief from teachers though, two I know in real life. I understand they're teachers that they teach in public school so it's a little odd for them to see someone who has no education claim to do their job, but you know what, I can do their job in regards to my child. Add on top of it that Kaylee has a disorder that needs monitoring through the day, why in my right mind would I send her to school if I was uncomfortable with it in the first place?

[twinzplus3]

Yeah--teachers tend to be pretty tough.

[mcmama]

If Kaylee is two, why is public school a question yet? Are you uncomfortable with specialized services that she needs and the quality you see there, or just uncomfortable with the whole environment?

In some situations for special education, public school can be the better alternative, albeit not a happy one. It depends on how they will address your childs needs longterm, and what professionals they involve.

One of my neighbors years ago had tourrettes, and unlike his siblings who attended private religious school, he went to public school. He got bus transportation (only special ed got transportation, regular students did not) out of the district to the appropriate behavioral center that his parents wanted. He needed to have a lot of one on one, and to have his intelligence recognized and encouraged - and his behavior modified. It was a specialty that the family could not have afforded otherwise.

Many times, the district will pay to get your kid the private treatment they need if it is in line with educating people with classifiable disorders. And sometimes that is really top of the line. Other times, they warehouse the kids and it is a disaster. That's why the IEP is so important, and networking with other parents and constantly being your kids advocate. That is what is so hard about public schools. THEY FIGHT THE PARENTS. They SAY they want you to be involved, but if you are "difficult" they want to get rid of you.

I don't recall what Kaylee's disorder is that needs monitoring, but if it's an expensive one, don't turn away from the financial resource that you may be entitled to from the school system.

I have a friend whose daughter is autistic and went to a special school. Without being part of a public education district, the parents would have had to pay $40,000 a year. But since the district had a contract with that school, which was a really excellent place, the district paid.

Whatever it is, make sure you get what she is entitled to. But at 2 1/2, as a former preschool director, I really do not understand the rush for "socialization" in a large group.

[PamalaLauren]

I don't trust strangers with her and that she'll get her medication at the correct times and be allowed to eat when needed. Plus I don't like the public education system as it is right now. I find NCLB to be harmful and I feel schools aren't properly funded. I was planning on homeschooling long before she was diagnosed with her disorder, but it was more like, maybe I will. Now I'm firmly going to do it. Plus special education programs lost 30% of their funding this year so it's not like they're the best they can be at the moment.