DR> My oldest daughter (5th grade) likes school, and always has. I am
 DR> still not certain that being IN school is the best thing for her. When
 DR> I first mentioned homeschool to her, she was hesitant about leaving
 DR> school behind. Though she is often the recipient of teasing, etc., she
 DR> brushes it off quite well and "hangs in there".
 My youngest can do this quite well also, but then he's used to getting
 quite a bit of flak from my older two.  My two older children, however,
 are ultra-sensitive and hate having any attention drawn to them.  This
 includes being called on by the teacher for an answer or going to the
 blackboard to solve a math problem.  I was just as insecure as a kid.
 I don't know where my youngest gets his courage as both his father and
 I don't do well under that kind of pressure.  He probably got knocked
 around by the other two often enough!  (g)
 
 DR> She enjoys going to
 DR> school anyway because of the activities they do.
 My favorite part of school were the lyceums, assemblies, pep rallies
 and field trips.  Can you supplement her with activities that are similar
 to what she likes to do?
 DR> Though I think if I
 DR> pulled them out in the middle of this year, she'd go without problems,
 DR> she's still wanting to stay in school. 
 Could you home-school one without home-schooling her sister?  Would
 the other child feel left out?
 Also, once a parent home-schools, how do you get time alone?  And with
 the other child, if THEY remain in school?  How do you balance all of
 this out?  How do you make the home-schooling decision?  My oldest isn't
 doing as well as she could, but I haven't the patience to sit with her
 all day.  She spins circles around me just sitting down!  My second
 child is finally doing well in school and he's the reason I tapped into
 here, looking for hints and such.  It's my youngest who's very
 flexible and makes friends easily.  Silly little boy.  I suppose if he
 failed in school and made a living digging ditches, he'd still be happy.
 He's such a happy-go-lucky child whereas the other two worry about the
 least little thing!  The only things HE's afraid of are the dark,
 monsters, storms and strangers.  The normal childhood stuff.  I can't
 watch the evening news without the two oldest ones taking *everything*
 to heart!  (shaking my head)
 DR> My younger daughter (4th grade) hasn't liked school for a couple of
 DR> years.
 I'm not trying to criticize your decision, just trying to understand
 your views.  Isn't it true that there are a LOT of children out there
 who hate school?  I know both my husband and I didn't care much for it
 at all..  We both felt lost in the "system".
                                            
 DR> Most of it has been social life, but she also has been somewhat
 DR> bored, especially in the area of reading. Both she and her sister are
 DR> top-notch readers. The difference is, tho, the older one will just
 DR> read ahead or (probably) hide a book inside her textbook, like I used
 DR> to do. My younger one will not do that, but complains about how
 DR> "yucky" the book is, etc. 
 DR> When I was considering what to do about this, homeschool was one of
 DR> the options I was looking at. Right now it still doesn't look likely -
 DR> I work two part-time jobs because this area's cost-of-living is so
 DR> obnoxious. However, if it became possible to homeschool, I still might
 DR> do so. I just don't know at this point whether it would be both
 DR> daughters, or just the younger one. 
 DR> Does that make sense now? Maybe I better not write responses before 8
 DR> in the morning any more (grin).... 
 Donna, I'm wondering if one reason home-schoolers do so is because they
 *really* enjoy being around their children and want to garnish every
 bit of that child for themselves.  When I posted what I did about *my*
 favorite parts of school, it occurred to me that our kids grow up SO
 fast and before we know it, they're out the door and raising families
 of their own.  Could wanting to school your children at home be part
 narcisstic in that, this way a parent can spend more time with who
 they helped bring into this world and have fun learning together, too?
 Just a thought.  All I know is that I have the best times taking my
 kids places and doing things with them, either here at home or out.
 Yes, it's starting to get clearer, the haze is dissapating...  (g)!
 Thanks for taking the time to explain.  My parents used to brush off my
 complaints about school and all that I went through.  I'm sure your
 daughters will grow up a bit more self-confident due to your efforts
 with them and your concern for them.  :*)
                    
 Chris
... The school of hard knocks is an accelerated curriculum.
--- Blue Wave/RA v2.20 [NR]
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