Comments on: Giving up homeschooling: starting school

By: Richard

Richard — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 13:28:51 +0000

Hi Ella, sorry I’ve not been by in a while and I’m really sorry to hear about everything that’s been happening recently. I have always really admired how you seem to juggle all the things you do and still seem so composed about it so I’m really surprised to read that home educating wasn’t working. Hope all is well with you, never sure how much you don’t share here.

By: geepeemum

geepeemum — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 18:05:54 +0000

I freely confess to knowing nothing about homeschooling so have very rarely commented on it (here or anywhere else!). I do have a friend who homeschools though and I am guessing she goes more for the “unschooling” method you mention. Which possibly means I know even less than nothing. But it would seem to me that maybe it’s easier to make things fun in a big group?? Belle was showing us a website at the weekend which she uses a lot at school and she used it to write a poem. She really enjoyed it but she was describing how fun it had been to do the same task with 2 friends at school – more fun than she found it to do with Ned when she felt he was not at her level… but maybe it’s just because I *know* that I would not have the imagination to make things more fun whereas you obviously went to a huge effort to do so… I’m glad they’re happy though and who knows? maybe one day you’ll be using all those skills you’ve learnt and you love again for one of the others?

By: Frally

Frally — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 01:24:13 +0000

I have been a vocal supporter of homeschooling whenever I’ve commented here, but I wanted to let you know – My almost 7 year old is starting school next year also, on a trial basis. This is a mutual decision between the two of us. We were in a rut and we needed a change, so we decided a “year off” won’t do any harm.

Still, I totally understand all those feelings your expressing. I’m caught up in the thought of “Am I doing the right thing?” but I keep telling myself I can always go back to homeschooling if it doesn’t work out. At least I’ll know for sure if it’s the right thing for our family this way. All the best!

By: Eva

Eva — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 21:45:46 +0000

We had the weirdest mothers at our toddler group here. I braved it three times and then couldn’t bring myself to go another time. Eventually I found it easier to get together with mothers from the school who had younger babies too.

By: Smartie

Smartie — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 19:34:05 +0000

SO glad your boys are settled and happy. Long may it last hon!

By: Jeannie

Jeannie — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 15:56:05 +0000

I’ve been so worried about you Ella and I’m sorry that you’ve had to go through this but it is great that your two boys are enjoying school. I hope in time you find that you too settle into your new role.