Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Parenting and Advocacy Homeschooling?

Hiya,

I'm a little confused. Homeschooling, at least f/t temporarily, and then p/t looks like the best plan for dd, who is 8 and PG. However, as I posted at the end of another thread I'm:
1.) scared that removing and re immersing her into mainstream ed is going to cause problems, both for dd and the school;
2.) worried about the responsibility of homeschooling a PG kid with low resiliency and high anxiety, and in effect getting it wrong (she suffers from depression and has self harmed once previously);
3.) In truth, am worried about surviving the 'intensity' full time with no reprieve; I know this probably sounds selfish.

Just interested in any advice anyone may have? In my heart I think homeschooling for a bit is the way to go as the gifted ed specialist says that dd is angst ridden due to an inadequate schooling environment. Don't get me wrong the school have been pretty good, and her teacher is excellent but catering for gifted kids in mainstream ed (no gifted programs, or streaming, or acceleration as yet) seems to be a major flaw in our local school...

Has anyone had success with increased resiliency and confidence and decreased anxiety through homeschooling? Is it the fastest way to resolve these kind of issues? Or, adversely, has anyone had any negative experiences?

I'd be grateful for any advice thrown my way! Feels like a rather large weight is on my shoulders to make the right decision. Hmmmmm...
K x

Homeschooling took my son (who had only had one year of school at that point) from being clinically depressed and anxious to being happy and far more confident in a matter of a few weeks, once we assured him that he wouldn't have to go back if he didn't want to. Not claiming that homeschooling is the cure for all anxiety and depression, just that my son's was purely situational rather than intrinsic.

Edit: Remember, too, that your decisions aren't set in stone. You and your DD are free to choose what is right for your family at the time, and to change your minds later. Of course, if you are contemplating putting her back in school relatively soon, you wouldn't want to mislead her about that or tell her that she didn't have to go back when she might, in fact, have to.

What a difficult situation for you both!

We are home educating, and have been from the beginning, so I can't give any turn around stories. I suspected school would not go well for my son.

You are not selfish for worrying about the intensity - any sane person would be but remember that this might not be as bad when her other needs are being met as they are now. But you will need back up. If you are even thinking about home education, you could start to make contact with your local groups.

To respond to another concern you alluded to, I DO find the sole responsibility for their education overwhelming at times, particularly given their potential. But honestly, with a child at school, it might seem like the responsibility is shared, but it isn't really. Sorry Home education just makes it more obvious.

I hope you can find something that will work for you and your daughter.

Thanks ladies. I'm so interested in hearing how it works for different people. It really helps build my confidence that I can do this, and am actually capable!

You're so right Kcab. I'm thinking of starting the day with yoga on the beach and a spot of meditation. We have an appointment with the principal next week, and (armed with a report from a psych and the gifted educational specialist) are going to push for one term homeschooling, then return in term 2 with a grade skip and one half day per week homeschooling (although I may tell a white lie and say it's a psych appt. for resiliency, same end product, different title!), and a two year early entry into their gifted program, which accepts the top 10% of the year group. I figured we can only try...

I'm guessing schools aren't generally that accepting of parent recommendations from previous experience and stories from other moms! Any positive outcomes out there?!

K x