Homeschooling

[Bathsheba]

Thanks for sharing Halltribe

I'm a bit like Shannon, not a very organised person at home... different when I am in the paid workforce for some reason. I plan to do a DipEd (have already a Fine Art degree) so that I can teach art at a secondary level.

My biggest concern (when considering home schooling) is that my DD (12yo) is becoming quite headstrong and I just couldn't imagine her listening to me unless it was a subject that she was interested in. If she feels frustrated she spits the dummy and walks away. I could imagine being able to persue the Humanities subjects (English, social studies, art etc) but nooo way would she deal with me trying to teach her science subjects (which I enjoy) or maths. For this reason I think my DD does better at her school where for a start, her teachers in these subjects are males and she doesn't play up with them... she listens! Infact she isn't whingey with other adults only her parents so we must be doing something wrong I thought most kids were like this... especially pre-teens. I tell my DH that it is because we are isolated as a family and we don't have extended family like grandparents to pull our children into line when they are being disrepectful. That's what my grandparents/aunts/uncles did and I think I really benefitted from it. When somewhen else pulls you into line as a child you listen!

Anyhow, given that we have discipline problems with our eldest I just couldn't see it being of benefit. I know that I probably do the whole "discipline" thing wrong with her and that even the word "discipline" is a wrong concept in some people's minds. I have to admit that with us it's guesswork, although I do try to be consistent. Oh I don't know. But you are so right Hilltribe, you don't get a practise run with kids. I find it hard doing the whole parenting thing virtually solo (just DH and I)... if I lived in a more community oriented place surrounded by family and friends with which we are shared the responsibility of raising the children I really think home schooling could work. As it stands we believe our DDs best chances are at her school: a girls' school with a dedication to small class sizes. It's the best we can do. She absolutely loves going to school, so much so that she complains that holidays are boring and that she would rather be there! Parenting can be pretty demoralising but I think that at least i've got this bit right. At least her school has given her a love of learning... something that I have probably been inable to do as i've been busy with her two little brothers... which leads me to my next question: How on earth could i sit and teach my 12yo with a 3yo jumping up and down for attention and a baby needing what babies need. How on earth do you manage it? I struggle to help her with her homework