Krisula Moyer

My O my, where to begin. Two school years ago Sydney very clearly wanted to
try out public school. She was almost 7 and thought she was missing
something. Very social creature and always wanting to do everything. I let
her and she did not have a good time. Quit after a few days and I was happy
to have her home, and relieved of course, but sneaking in my head was the
thought that she really didn't get whatever it was out of her system. I
fully expected her to want to try again the next year. Actually she did
mention it last year too but not as emphatically and changed her mind in
favor of the myriad activities I had planned for September that she would
have to miss if she were at school.

Last night we were with some homeschool friends three of which went back to
school last year due to their mother's debilitating illness. Mom is better
now, the girls aren't going back but for some reason they were waxing poetic
last night in the car about all the things they learned last year at school
and what a great experience it had been. (If I didn't know better I'd think
they were doing a PS advertisement for the teacher's union.) Sydney adores
these girls and is powerfully influenced by them. When we got home she told
me she wanted to try school again. She asked how soon she could go and I
said, "Well, they usually start in September don't they?" She seemed
relieved that I said yes - I think she was ready for a fight.

Last year's tac seems like it worked but I think she did feel a bit tricked
and manipulated by it. I am hoping to approach her this time with as much
respect and kindness as I can muster. Also, last time she went to school
part of the reason she quit so soon was homework. She did not want to do it
and I tried to impress on her that it was required of all school kids.
Maybe I should've just let her not do it and see what happens. (hmm my past
perfect tense isn't working:0) It really bothers me because I know that
she's very smart and she is truly learning all kinds of things all the time
but her reading is not on a school timetable at all. There are all the
little differences one would expect in a home learner /unschooler. She is
very likely to be told she is "behind" or to be treated unkindly or made to
feel odd or stupid. She is rather sensitive about these kinds of things and
while I respect her desire to find out what she's missing for herself, I
don't want her damaged by the experienced and I'm so sure that will be part
of the result. (My emails do run on when I'm upset about something:))

Oh well, there's 20 more pages in my head of relevant information but if
you've read this long I'll thank you by ending it here.

Krisula

pam sorooshian

Krisula --

Don't you think she'll change her mind again when she the reality hits
that you're taking the other kids to the beach with friends while she's
at school <G>? What grade would she be in?

-pam