I was watching “19 Kids and Counting” tonight and Michelle Duggar said this about her kids and homeschooling, the world is a classroom. I thought it was great. Because it’s so true. And I wonder, is “out-of-school schooling” better for some kids that “in-school schooling”? Could be. And I may have one of those kids.
Now, on a slightly unrelated note, I have a not-so-secret desire to be a Duggar. So my opinion on all of this is biased. I just love them. Their kids are so calm and pleasant and mature and responsible and courteous, etc. etc. etc. I find it just really amazing. And wonderful to see. Granted, their kids don’t seem to have any neurological struggles as mine does. Nonetheless, they inspire me. And I wonder if they would all still be that way if they had to go to public school for 8 hours a day. But alas, we’ll never know.
Anyway, Rye is out of school this week. He told me today he does not want to go back to regular school. He wants to homeschool. He says there is too much drama and chaos at the school and life is much calmer not going. And he doesn’t mind doing schoolwork. He just can’t take the atmosphere there. I guess it was fun for a while and then it all got to be too much. Way too much. And with everything that has happened in the past few months that makes perfect sense. So, now I wait until the IEP meeting on Monday and see what we can come up with. I suggested to Rye maybe a happy medium would be a half day at school but he’s luke warm on that idea right now. I guess we’ll just see. I have to work part time so we’ll have to do something. I am intrigued though to think about all of the things he could learn if he wasn’t in a classroom all day. Especially since now he has no art, music or related art classes (foreign language, careers, computers) at school. The possibilities are endless.
Anyway, it is my experience that a lot of special needs kids homeschool so the parents can create the atmosphere the kids need to be happy and successful. And focus on the child’s strengths vs their weaknesses. We’ve actually done it before and it worked really well. Rye was a much calmer, more mature, less frantic kid. I guess we’ll just see what the future brings.
One Comment
However it all works out and whatever you decide, good on Rye for asking so clearly for what he wants, and good on you for being open to all the options!
And I have a secret Duggar crush, too. Life seems so peaceful for them compared to us, and they have SO many more people!