Should I consider home schooling?

Question

My 14 year old daughter is in serious danger of failing the 7th grade. She has already failed 6th grade 2x, so I told her that if she fails 7th, I will not send her to summer school. She was crying today because she knows she's in trouble and is feeling very discouraged at this point. She has admitted to me that there is a lot of pressure on her with her classmates because she is popular, and most of the kids go to school to socialize. It is really important to her and to our family that she graduates one way or another. She has a friend that is currently being home schooled, and seems to be doing well at it. Could this possibly be a good idea for my daughter, being that she really wants to finish school and not drop out?

Answer 1

That is a difficult decision because you want to give your child a good education but let her have a social life as well. Seeing as she's already failed the 6th grade 2 times, I would say that you should homeschool her. For a while at least, what you don't want her to do is get very lonely. Talk it over with her and tell her that she has to prove herself to you. If she does really well then let her continue to go to school and if she doesn't then homeschool her.

<3

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Answer 2

If she is very social she will feel very alone and depressed to not be around her friends daily.

It sounds to me like the problem is more than one of her socializing too much. Has she been tested for learning problems? Has she been tested for ADD You need to find out why she isn't learning before you decide what is the best way to help her.

I will tell you that because she has already repeated a grade she is at a higher risk to drop out.  It is good to know that you are rooting for her and don't want to let that happen I don't know what state you live in but most states have accredited charter schools to help kids in your daughters position. Go on line and search for charter schools in your area and see if there is one that would meet her needs

My daughter was doing poorly in school and went to a charter school. She ended up finishing with a GED but is now in college her junior year and is doing great.

There are pros and cons of home schooling. It depends on who is teaching her and the curriculum used as to whether she will get the education she needs by home schooling. She will have to be motivated to work on her own. It is definitely better than just dropping out especially as young as she is.

Answer 3

Homeschooling sounds like a great idea for your daughter, as long as you are willing to put the necessary work in, and to have the necessary patience, to make it a positive experience for your daughter. Do make sure to help her maintain her current friendships as well as find ways of making new friends.

Answer 4

Have you tried helping her with her homework, or getting her into one of those sessions that help kids with studying??

Answer 5

she will get by. you just have to get her to believe. i know she is a smart girl. she just needs a little extra push

Answer 6

I would have to say, talk to your daughter. She may want you to do something like that. If you are able to homeschool her, then do it. Find out if the school has an independent study program that she can participate in. Also, find out if she is still able to participate in extracurricular activities, that way she doesn't feel as removed from things. Another option is to go talk  to her counselor, find out what programs the school offers. But if you don't exclude the independent study option.

Good Luck!

Answer 7

sounds like your daughter is to worried about being popular than school, take her to McDonalds and show her that the person flipping the burgers will be her one day unless she gets her sh** together

Answer 8

it is NOT true that  "social problems due to this un-natural environment"       it is the best way, you should find out about more family's around you, that are home schooling, but you'll also need to be willing to help her out you both will be having to do and learn more, home schooling should not be the last thing to turn to, and go to the NCHEA web site, (if your from NE)

hope this may have helped you,

Answer 9

It sounds as though the current environment is not working and, in fact, is a waste of time. I'm all for kids socializing, but not *instead* of getting an education.

I would suggest doing a trial homeschooling period during spring break (which should be soon, right?) to see if it is something that 1-helps her over her distraction problems and 2-is something you can handle.

It is quite clear that under her current circumstances, she won't graduate from high school and may very well drop out. Don't wait that long. Isn't the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results? Try homeschooling and, simultaneously, look into other alternatives.

Something needs to change.

Answer 10

I've home-schooled my grandchildren for several years, and if your daughter is really motivated to finish school, homeschooling is a great alternative to traditional schooling.  It is especially helpful for those students who are easily distracted.

If you homeschool during the middle school years, it might give your daughter the time to develop the study skills she needs to successfully graduate from high school, and relieve the social pressure at the same time.  It would also give you time to decide if you want to resume traditional schooling for high school.  

There are many, many on-line groups with knowledgeable homeschoolers who can give you advice; I don't pretend to be an expert!  I do know from personal experience that homeschooling works.  My oldest grandchild will begin public high school this fall, with several high school subjects already under her belt.  Not because she's super brainy, but because she's had the time to study without the problems your daughter has had to deal with.

Whatever you decide, I wish you good luck!

Answer 11

All kids go through the drama popularity game, especially girls in middle school.  There are a lot of interventions you might consider before you remove her from school (which has important social roles in addition to education).

More assertive monitoring of her homework and studying, combined with performance based restrictions on her social life (both must be rigidly and consistently adhered to) are the biggest things that students at that age need.  Tell her that she simply must pass, and that everything else she does is contingent on that.

If this is really an issue for her, (and you've ruled out whether she needs/can benefit from special services), a change of environment might be appropriate.  You may consider a different school (via an intra district transfer, or provate/praochial school if your budget permits.

I would generally say that home school is the last resort for your daughter.  Consider the amount of work you're prepared to do if you do homeshool her, and put that effort into getting her to pass where she is.  In an ideal world, she should do this on her own, but maybe she needs this extra push.  If not, then you can consider your options.

Answer 12

Well, some people love it!

I personally hate it though....

It's horrible....

I'm miserable....

All my best!

=)

-Max

Answer 13

From your question details it sounds to me like homeschooling would be just the ticket. It will make it much easier to balance her academics with her social life and extracurricular activities as well. ALWAYS CONSIDER EVERY OPTION

Answer 14

that would be worse actualy, not to offend you but youre probably not qualified to be a teacher or know what to teach your daughter so that she can be above the average grade level...just leave her in school shes better off that way

Answer 15

Yes, homeschooling would be a good alternative. I'm a 15 year old girl who's homeschooled, and I do way better at home then I did at private or public school before. I concentrate much better while I'm at home, there's less distractions. I went to public school for 3 years, and private school even longer, and one major thing I noticed, especially in public school, is that all the kids seem to be at school simply to socialize. No one concentrates on their work because they are too caught up in their friends and who's popular and who's not. Your daughter would most likely do very well in homeschool.

Answer 16

I think it's a great idea for you to homeschool your daughter, especially since she's having trouble with peer pressure.  You will probably need to join a homeschool group or find some other activities for her since she's so social.

Here are some ideas for programs you could use:

http://www.successful-homeschooling.com/...

http://www.successful-homeschooling.com/...

Here's some other information for you:

http://www.successful-homeschooling.com/...

Good luck!

Answer 17

Yes,  it keeps you focused on your work. THEN you can go see friends...

Answer 18

I hope someone will correct me if I am wrong but in the UK 7th grade/year7 is for 11 to 12 year olds and I am presuming it is the same age range for the USA.

If this is the case I am shocked and concerned by your post.  The fact that she has failed 6th grade twice and is set on the same course for 7th grade is very worrying.  It illustrates that she hasn't learnt her lesson by redoing year 6.  If this happened in the UK she would be with children 2 years younger who were not her peers and wouldn't aid her social interactions which many argue as a prospective down side to homeschooling (doesn't have to be but could be!) and therefore I can't see how this is slowing her learning.

Could there be the possibility that she has special needs as moving over 2 years out of peer group is only seen with severe cases of special needs in the UK that I am currently aware of (either up 2 grades or down 2 grades).  I think you need to look at this factor.

The school she is in is highly unlikely to enable her to graduate so a different solution looks like it needs to be found.  I don't understand why you will not send her to summer school if it is an academic school that will help her learning.  She needs stricter guidance at home to complete homework and catch up with school if she is staying in public or private school.  If she is homeschooled it is important that she begins to learn something!!! and if homeschooling would prevent the distractions, if that is the only problem she is having in school (and not special educational needs) then she would have to be very motivated and so would her tutor/you.  If you think her motivation would be stronger with a one to one then I think homeschool would be an excellent solution.  Her social network can be maintained but I think if I was her parent it would be after .....work has been done.

You have to do something she can't carry on as she is, speak to the school, see if she has special needs, look at other public schools, look at private schools, look at homeschooling and chose the option that you feel would be most successful.

Answer 19

Most home schooled kids I know have many social problems due to this un-natural environment.

Answer 20

Your daughter said it--a lot of the kids go to school to socialize. The average kid could probably do a whole school day's work in a couple of hours without all the distractions and time spent waiting around in the classroom, leaving time for all kinds of other activities which can include learning, on her own or with you or others. Check out home schoolers in your area, see what's available, see if your family has what it takes to do it.. I have known a few home-schooled kids and they were great kids, much more grown up than average, and the families were very together. She need not miss out on social life if she's not going to school. There are all kinds of other ways to have a social life.