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MSGID: 1:130/604 33856262
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PID: GED3 2.5 7777DK7
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TID: GE 1.1.g6
Hi Sarah,
Just to introduce myself. I have a 20yr. old daughter, with Prader=Willi
syndrome and have homeschooled her for last two years. Intellectually she
functions at about 6-8 yrs with flashes of 12, as some delays are caught up.
I'm an older Mum. I have homeschooled off and on most of my Daughters
School life - because of eating and behaviour and medical problems, which
made it difficult for her to remain at school full time.
We live in Port Augusta, South Australia at the head of the Spencer Gulf.
As I have recently been involved with discussions with others about
Home Schooling young children I was interested in your question.
SN> haven't yet told him that he won't be going to school with my second son
SN> will be in third grade.
Perhaps it would be best to wait until you are sure what you are going to do.
SN> I'm already preparing to homeschool my oldest son next year, who will be
SN> fifth grade, and I figure I can just add the younger one into the mix.  
SN> I'm wondering, though, is whether or not to also send him to a private
SN> preschool for two or three afternoons a week.  If I knew for sure that I
SN> homeschooling him the following year, I might not bother, but we're taki
I would recommend that you consider the pre-school option first untill
you find your feet with Homeschoolin the older one - Children of that age
need a certain amount of socialization with others of their own age.
It could also be that it will lay the ground work for him to know - certain
times are for play and certain times for work or lessons.
I would also recommend that you involve him with the older one in the
more social lessons - so he gets the idea of what is expected of him and
you in your new role as teacher and mum!!
The general concensus of opinion here is socialization at an early age
BUT not a welter of it - as this tends to leave parents in the childs
mind in the THEM camp which in turn could make it difficult to have him
relate to you as both teacher and mother.
As you seem to have a great many more clubs and organizations for them to
join over there - I am sure socialization is not a problem.
One thing I would say and that is had I known what I was in for, I would
DEFINITELY have homeschooled from the start - full stop.
SN> thing one year at a time.  I had planned on starting with homeschooling 
SN> one, and adding another each year or as they reached fifth grade, so thi
SN> throwing me for a loop.
I can imagine your feelings, but hang in there, your ideas are good, you
just have to work in the changes (Not easy I know) 
SN> What would you do if you were in my situation?
I think basically I would look to homeschooling the younger one too,
but in the meanwhile give yourself some breathing space while he is at
preschool. Hope this rather rambling diatribe helps. Look forward to 
hearing from you further. If you feel I can help further just yell huh?
Cheers...Jean.
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 * MikeMayl v1.0 * The sermon can't rise above the one who delivers it       
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