Hi everyone!
My oldest son and I have been homeschooling for 3 years now using time4learning. I really love the program but lately I have been so worn out trying to get him motivated and myself motivated to do the work that I feel it's time to make changes. He has aspergers and his passions right now are Sims games and he loves reading reviews and data about stuff (actors, tvs shows, movies, etc) He spends bunches of time on IMDB. I know those 2 things he loves but I want to have him explore other things and see what exactly he DOES want to do later on. I wan to start focusing on life skills and stuff like that so he can live independently. He has talked about being a writer so I want to tap into that and see if that is really something he can enjoy. I am scared to make the leap from formal learning to something more fluid. I want to make it though. I want him to grow up and live on his own and make money. right now I can't see that happening. He has no gusto in him, he has no drive AKA "lazy". He's almost 11 and its time for me to do something. time is ticking away.
Another issue is I have my 2 "middles" in schools and I have tremendous guilt not being able to homeschool them. The fact is right now I don't have the energy. My days are drained after teaching Jarod. I think maybe, just maybe, if I can change what we are doing now I can someday convince my hubby to let me bring the other ones home too. my other 2 are in tears or having ailments they complain about everyday because of going to school. I want them home.
I have 1 other kid who is very speech delayed, my youngest, so it is a good possibility that he will have some homeschooling too.
Well that is where I am now. i have enjoyed going through posts and learning and getting up the courage to make this leap. Thanks.
Annette~ Christian, supportive wife, artsy, chicken raising, health nut, who delay vaxs, cloth diapers, is an attached parent, and proud stay at home mom to Jarod (3/15/01), Jalen (8/12/03), Jillian (12/6/05), and Jaxson (3/6/08).
Learn the Signs. Act Early. Autism affects 1 in 100.
Mine is that ONE.
Welcome Annette! It will be good to get to know you. My DD is the same age as Jarod and my DS is the same age as Jalen.
We have been easing into a more unschooling approach for a few months now. I still have some things that we do every day that aren't optional, but we do a lot now that is just based on the kids' interests.
I would encourage you to bring your other kids home as soon as you can. Four would be a lot, but it sounds like your two middle kids are pretty miserable. Maybe you could do it after the first of the year?
Welcome!
Welcome to the group! You stated that the two in middle school are in tears or having ailments.....that sounds like stress. My DD was almost physically ill when I removed her (first grade!) from all of the bullying/stress. Since they are in middle school and they want out of PS so bad, I don't think you would have any trouble getting them to be responsible for a large part of their lessons.
Check out some of the top posts today in Groups:
Unschooling - would love to hear from experienced unschool moms
- machteldt
on Nov. 30, 2011 at 10:54 AM