Homeschool, ged, public?

Question

I am 15 and have a daughter that is about to be 4 months old. When I got pregnant I had a difficult time and started homeshooling. But, both of my parents work so it ended up me doing nothing all day. I use to be very social, and now i've recently moved in with my cousin (my child came with me) and I'm still fake-homeschooling. I tried teaching myself but, I got discouraged. Giving myself my own grades, making my lesson plans, reading the stuff. Just got to the point where "whats the point"? I'm bairly learning anything, and i'm stressing myself out. I do know I need an edjucation for my child so i'm trying to figure out how. What would be the best thing for be to do. Go to ged classes when I turn 16 and then take the ged. I would only have to be gone a half a day from my child then, or awhole day in regular school? Or should I try homeschooling again? I really enjoy the time with my daughter but I need some interaction and some type of schooling.

Answer 1

That is a hard decision, but I think you may already know what is best for you. Homeschool is meant to be done with the support of family. O your own and with a baby, is rough at best.  I'm not sure many people could succeed under your circumstances.  I imagine it is easy to be distracted by having a wee one in the house. You can take the GED classes. They provide some structure. Another option that will take some moxie on your part is to reach out. Many homeschoolers are too busy to help, but there are moms and dads who have completed homeschool with their kids, sent their kids off to college and after a little break, realize that they miss the mental stimulation they got from homeschooling. In my area, veteran homeschoolers stick around to help the up and coming families. Find a homeschool support group and see if anyone will volunteer to help guide you. If you go this route, be ready to work hard and take the gift you are given seriously. See if you can get a baby sitter for three hours, three days a week. You'll be amazed at what you can get done when you know you have very little time to do it in. Whatever you choose to do, do it with all you've got. You are working not just for your future now, but for your child's future.

Blessings and best of luck,

Glee

Answer 2

If you live in California or Nevada PLEASE take the High School Proficiency Exam instead! My school counselor told me to take the chspe b/c a ged looks like you dropped out of school. And when you're filling out applications for work or college, you may check hs diploma rather than GED. The HSPE include an essay and then the typical multiple choice questions. I found that it is good to take it as soon as possible so that you're mind is still fresh with what you've learned . It's a very basic test (that is to say I found it to be extremely easy). And also, I took it when I was 15, and coincidentally got my "PASS" result on my 16th birthday. My school counselor said that I could take it when I was 15 , but I couldn't leave school until I was 16.  Also, the CHSPE website says that you must be 18 to take your GED.  ...There are probably other states that have proficiency exams, I  couldn't imagine that Nevada and California are the only two. Try talking to your old school's counselor or district and see if your state has an high school proficiency exam!! GOOD LUCK!!

Answer 3

I have a friend in more or less the same situation. Homeschooling couldn't happen for her and was only hurting her and her child. She came form a very disfunctional family, and just couldn't get the education she needed at home in her situation. It works for many, but not all, especially under special circomstances like this.

The girl I know went to a special public highschool in our area for pregnant teens/teen mothers. She was allowed to take her baby with her, and the school had a daycare for the children. She got to finish all of her studies while still being a page away from her child if there was a problem. The school also offered life management and parenting classes to give the girls the extra help they would need, being mothers so young and gettng thrown into the Real World so soon. The school is very supportive. My friend graduated with streight A's and was able to get a part time job to help support her little one and to save up for when the child is a little older and she would go to college part time while he was in school.

See if such a program exists in your area, and good luck to you and to your baby!

Answer 4

Do the GED thing--do you really have to wait until your 16 to do that?  under the circumstances, they might let you go ahead & take it, but make sure you study--they are generally pretty hard test.  you definately need to get that done so you can take care of your child

Answer 5

No easy answer for you hon, sorry.  My best thought would be to try reaching out to home school groups in your area.  If you don't find any nearby (in the real world) you might expand your search to on-line home school groups.

I'm guessing that there have to be resources for teen mothers such as yourself.... but they probably require some effort finding them.

In the meantime, be open to the "lessons" being thrust upon you by motherhood.  Good luck and God Bless.