Home Schooling...Virtual Vs. Regular

Hi,
I do have a question about the school that your son went to. I understand that your son has asthma, but there are many kids who go to school with asthma, leaving an inhaler with the nurse and any other treatments that he may need would be administered by the nurse. I read about K12 and it seems great, but there is one aspect that maybe you are not realizing that is crucial to an 8 year old. That is social skills and every child needs to learn them and without being in school around other kids his age, it will be difficult for him later on. I understand that you are a concerned mother and you are doing the best you can and that is all that anyone can ask, but I would also consider looking into a school that can provide what your son needs. If you decide not to take this route, you need to sit down with your other 2 kids and explain to them why you made this decision and that you love them and maybe they can even help in some way. When you give kids a leadership role, their behavior changes very quickly. The big thing is to let them know that you love them and this is something that you need to do right now, that is if you continue to stay with this program.

First--I want to tell you to just relax...:) I would go onto Yahoo groups! and find a local home school support group or co-op--this will help you and your child soooo much! Because we all have been there.

K12 is "school at home"--actual home schooling is simpler, less complicated and--IMO--a lot more fun for everyone! The stress is not as intense and you find that have so much more has been learned than you ever thought possible.

As for socialization: http://jacksonvillehomeschoolkids.yolasite.com/socializat...

this is a thesis paper on that very subject. You will not find even one study that has been done that will state that public or private school is better in any area than home education. These are facts. Educationally, schools such as Yale, Harvard and Brown have specific slots available to ONLY home schoolers because they want them that badly! I know--I called them myself.

We have PE, Art Days, Field trips galore, Science Clubs, Book Clubs, Park and Beach Days, special shows only for HSers and take a look around town--Museums, Nature preserves and more have days ONLY for home schooled children...Including Disney!!

As for jealousy--if you have offered this option to them, and they do not take it, then it's a lesson they need to learn. You have opened the door--just don't close it too fast and let them make a decision on their own. Explain what you are doing and explain that because it's one on one--that no--your 8 year old is NOT going to have as much work, or spend as much time as they do at school. The average HSer spends an official 3 days a week two hours a day on book work and such. Most HSers have their education supplemented by home school groups, real life situations and life itself.

In no other environment, but school, will you have one "leader" telling you what to do while you are around people the same age as you. So why let them grow up that way? Let them grow up to already being accustomed to being around varying ages, that will help your child and you along the way.

Your other two children have had the door opened..They need to choose to walk through it or not. But you can not let one child suffer because the other two feel put off by it. AND this is not uncommon! I have members in my own group who homeschool, but have other kids in public school.

This is not for everyone--but for those who chose this route, I will always advise them not to do it alone.

Can you enlist your other two children as "helpers"? They can help you put together curriculums for your 8YO and by doing so, get an in-depth look at what you are doing. This may help them understand what is going on during the day and that he is doing just as much work at home as they are at school.

Good luck with this new adventure!

I am looking forward to hearing about the differences between types of homeschooling. I am curious because I may consider homeschooling in the future.

So my advise is more about your other two children. I think it is going to be important for them to know your homeschooled child is not playing around at home while they are at school. Perhaps showing them his work or making a video of his day (carefully edited; because I am sure they could become jealous depending on what they see).

I think it will be important for your homeschooled child to follow the same morning routine even though he doesn't immediately need to get up and out of the house. We added before school Spanish this year and my normally non-complaining ten year old, is now 'hating' Spanish because it makes him get up early.

Good luck!

I have homeschooled thru our county (4th grade) and this year (7th grade) with K12. they both have their good and bad. my experience with the county was a rough one, we didnt get the waldorf teacher we were supposed to, so i had to wade thru all the curriculum and pick books..it was a nightmare! I had to do all the lesson planning, make up tests, grade, etc. it was a full time job, plus! the good thing about it was the field trips. we had a blast! they do a field trip every year that you dress in character (we went to the malakoff diggins, an old gold rush site here in california) and live like they did in the past. my son had more interaction with other kids. What I like about K12 so far is that I didnt have to pick any of the curriculum, the computer grades most of his stuff, and the testing is on the computer. much, much, easier...but, there isnt much interaction with other kids.. we're in northern california so there arent many outings that are close enough for us to go on. we go on our own field trips (just toured the u.s.s hornet yesterday!) I dont think K12 is harder. good luck!

i've looked into the K12 or the public school thru Florida online. I really liked what i saw. I would never choose regular homeschooling over that! I'm not the sort who can make up a curriculum and pick out books, etc. plus, all state wide testing you have to find a school to take them to for the testing. I'm going to let my youngest (will be in kindergarden next yr) go thru at least 1st or 2nd and then pull them out to do the k12. I want him to at least get reading started.

Also, with the money you would be saving with lunches, pick up/drop off you should be able to afford to put your child in an extra curricular activity to get him "socialized"

I did reg. homeschool for my daughter when she was in K and 1st. I found it hard to do on my own.
My two oldest kids then went to public school for grades 2nd ( my daughter ) and K for my son.

My daughter has asthma and allergies.
My kids were sick ALL OF THE TIME!!!!

We were always in the Dr.'s office. My kids lived on antibiotics. We hated it.

Then - when the swine flu hit about a year ago or so, I freaked out.

So Aug. of 2009 we started our two oldest kids
grades at that time were ( daughter 4 th grade and son 2nd grade ) on virtual schooling with
Connections Academy.
www.connectionsacademy.com

And we also found this wonderful product called Juice Plus. It is amazing!!!!
( contact me if you would like more information on Juice Plus ).
So because of vitrual homeschooling and Juice Plus my kids have not been to the doctors office in a year and a half. It's almost time for them to go for a reg. check up.
My children, my husband and myself we all LOVE Connections Academy.
And another great plus - no one has been sick in my home for a year and a half.
Because of the Juice Plus ( MY ) daughters asthma has not been around for us to struggle with.

I thank the LORD for that.

If you have any questions for me please feel free to send me a personal message and I will answer any questions you have.
Take care and I wish you all the best.