My oldest is going to school next week.

[Nancy in VA]

And I'm experiencing a lot of anxiety over it. Homeschoolers can appreciate it.

I have homeschooled for 2 years. I "think" I want to homeschool through middle school but trust me when I say there are many days that I wish I could throw them out the door.

Our local schools are overcrowded. They can't open schools fast enough.

Right now, the middle school that we are districted into is closed to new enrollments for next year AND THE YEAR AFTER. My daughter would be a rising 6th grader. The only children they are GUARANTEEING placement in the middle school are those enrolled at the feeder elementary schools at the end of this year

So, in order for me to have the summer to decide what I'd like to do, I have to send her to school. And not even my most local elementary school - which is also overcrowded, but another one about 5 miles away.

Lots of anxiety about this decision. Really not looking forward to this 3 weeks, even though she will be doing nothing and be wasting her time.

Ugh - the things we do for our kids

[caspi]

Nancy, my sister homeschooled her two boys until they were 10 & 11 and then sent them to school. The boys were ready but my sister was not!;)

My philosophy is this -- we raise our kids to the best of our ability and then have to trust (:eek:) them to make the right decisions. You're a fantastic mother and I'm sure she will do great! :cwds:

[Karenwith4]

Can you consider it a mini comparative unit study in educational philosophies? :p You are a brave woman. :D Much braver than I. The idea of sending one of my kids to school (especially when it is so beautiful outside) causes me to break out in hives.

How does she feel about it? How strict will the school be with you about her attendance? (We're in Canada and have a much looser attendance policy that what I have read is common in the US). You will probably get a sense about whether this is something you want for you family right now - which is good. I had a girlfriend put her kids in school - she lasted 6 weeks and withdrew them again.

I think it's great that you are able to do this to keep your options open - it's a drag though that this is what is required by the system though.

Hang in there!

Karen

[Nancy in VA]

You would think this wouldn't be that big of a deal - its not like she hasn't gone to school before (she did until 3rd grade). But boy this is really freaking me out. I kinda feel like that this level of anxiety is my brain telling me that its still the right decision to homeschool, but I just need more time to feel comfortable with it.

There are also issues with our county with regards to credits - they don't take any transferred in credits from homeschool. So, in order for her to have sufficient high school credits, she has to have high school credits in public school. And that starts with Algebra, which she will be ready for in 7th grade. And with the overcrowding, there might be an issue with partial enrollment for Algebra.

It just shouldn't have to be this hard.

My daughter seems pretty excited - but I have told her that she will have work to do after school (as we have a few things to finish up) and that it isn't a guarantee that she'll go to the middle school next year, but its keeping our options open.

Its just me that's having the nervous breakdown.

[Karenwith4]

How did it go?

Karen

[Nancy in VA]

She actually goes on Fri. It kept getting pushed a day at a time while the schools are changing around their testing schedule. And the fact that she can't go to our local elementary school but one further away (our local one is full) and their testing schedule was a little later than ours.

So they take their last test on Thursday - that will give me this week to do my homeschool testing with her - and then on Friday she goes to school

I hear they have a day-long field trip to Baltimore planned in the next couple of weeks so she'll get to go on that!

She's pretty excited - we'll see how it goes!

[Karenwith4]

The field trip sounds like fun!
Keep us posted
K