Help!!
sara_boheme
My 11 year old dd announced today that homeschooling was boring and
that she wanted to go to school. I aksed her why she felt that way
and she explained that she doesn't see kids her own age and in
school she would get to do things like go on field trips and
wouldn't be confined to the house. I reminded her that she isn't
confined to the house and that we do lots of stuff field trip wise.
I explained that we live in a wonderful area where if she had an
interest we could follow it and find something fun to do or see. She
replied that she "doesn't know" what she wants to do (imagine that
said in a whine). I made mild suggestions that were all met with
a "not interested". I also told her that if she was interested in
school we could arrange for her to follow another student around for
a day. She doesn't want to do that either. I made suggestions about
ways to meet other kids her age (park days, sports, co-ops, clubs or
classes- I mean the opportunities are endless!), but she doesn't
want any of that either!!! It's like she's thristy but refuses to
drink anything despite the water I offer.
Now you have to understand that dd is a mild mannered, somewhat
reserved child. She and I get along wonderfully.Whining isn't her
thing. I have a sneaking suspicion that this is a result of not
being able to see her best friend as often as in the past. We used
to get together with best friends family once a week, but now bf's
mother is doing a more rigid school style and our meetings will be
sporadic at best. I've told her that she can still write or email
best friend to feel closer to her. But the fact is that dd doesn't
have many friends her age. She has a few homeschooled friends that
we see once in awhile because I try to arrange playdates, etc. We
play outside, but there aren't any girls her age in the neighborhood.
What do I do unschooling wise when she is bored or lonely? Any
suggestion I make is met with an "I don't know". Is she just
overwhelmed with choices? Should I sign her up for a class despite
her protests? ACK!! Please help! Any insights or advice would be so
welcomed.
Thank you,
Sara
that she wanted to go to school. I aksed her why she felt that way
and she explained that she doesn't see kids her own age and in
school she would get to do things like go on field trips and
wouldn't be confined to the house. I reminded her that she isn't
confined to the house and that we do lots of stuff field trip wise.
I explained that we live in a wonderful area where if she had an
interest we could follow it and find something fun to do or see. She
replied that she "doesn't know" what she wants to do (imagine that
said in a whine). I made mild suggestions that were all met with
a "not interested". I also told her that if she was interested in
school we could arrange for her to follow another student around for
a day. She doesn't want to do that either. I made suggestions about
ways to meet other kids her age (park days, sports, co-ops, clubs or
classes- I mean the opportunities are endless!), but she doesn't
want any of that either!!! It's like she's thristy but refuses to
drink anything despite the water I offer.
Now you have to understand that dd is a mild mannered, somewhat
reserved child. She and I get along wonderfully.Whining isn't her
thing. I have a sneaking suspicion that this is a result of not
being able to see her best friend as often as in the past. We used
to get together with best friends family once a week, but now bf's
mother is doing a more rigid school style and our meetings will be
sporadic at best. I've told her that she can still write or email
best friend to feel closer to her. But the fact is that dd doesn't
have many friends her age. She has a few homeschooled friends that
we see once in awhile because I try to arrange playdates, etc. We
play outside, but there aren't any girls her age in the neighborhood.
What do I do unschooling wise when she is bored or lonely? Any
suggestion I make is met with an "I don't know". Is she just
overwhelmed with choices? Should I sign her up for a class despite
her protests? ACK!! Please help! Any insights or advice would be so
welcomed.
Thank you,
Sara
Melissa
You know what struck me about all the options? That they all require
a lot of our kids, scheduled times, requirements for attendance,
rules and formalities, not to mention the preformed groups that
already exist. What about taking her to a perfect swing (or whatever
family fun center you have?) or the movies, or just the mall. Hang
out in the arcade at any of those places. My girls love to just go to
the mall, they do NOT like going someplace to meet specific people or
do specific things. They usually wind up meeting with someone, and
having a good time, with no expectations or requirements for ever
talking to that person again. Of course, it usually takes an hour or
two of hanging out before they get out and do something, so it's
definitely an investment in time.
Just something I noted...hope you KWIM
Melissa
Mom to Josh (11), Breanna (9), Emily (7), Rachel (6), Sam (5), Dan
(3), and Avari Rose
share our lives at
http://360.yahoo.com/multimomma
a lot of our kids, scheduled times, requirements for attendance,
rules and formalities, not to mention the preformed groups that
already exist. What about taking her to a perfect swing (or whatever
family fun center you have?) or the movies, or just the mall. Hang
out in the arcade at any of those places. My girls love to just go to
the mall, they do NOT like going someplace to meet specific people or
do specific things. They usually wind up meeting with someone, and
having a good time, with no expectations or requirements for ever
talking to that person again. Of course, it usually takes an hour or
two of hanging out before they get out and do something, so it's
definitely an investment in time.
Just something I noted...hope you KWIM
Melissa
Mom to Josh (11), Breanna (9), Emily (7), Rachel (6), Sam (5), Dan
(3), and Avari Rose
share our lives at
http://360.yahoo.com/multimomma
On Aug 30, 2006, at 8:54 AM, sara_boheme wrote:
> I made suggestions about
> ways to meet other kids her age (park days, sports, co-ops, clubs or
> classes- I mean the opportunities are endless!), but she doesn't
> want any of that either!!
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Michelle Leifur Reid
On 8/30/06, sara_boheme <Superchick400@...> wrote:
sais that you weren't interested? She has interests. All kids do.
Some are just harder to recognize than others. What is she doing when
she is "bored at home?" Are you doing this with her or watching from
the sidelines saying, "I wish she would DO something"? What are you
doing to make your life look richer and fuller? Are you participating
in your passions? Does she see you do this? What is something that
you have wanted to do? Maybe that "paint your own ceramics studio" or
"free day at the art museum" Make plans to go and then say, "Hey, the
art museum is having a free day and there is a Salvador Dali
expedition - you know the melting clock guy. I was thinking of going
on Tuesday, wanna come along?" If she says no, then go without her.
Next time she may want to go (especially if you bring back some cool
free literature or postcards or something.) Most of the time when I
mention that I am going off to do something (hike in the woods, go to
the cultural center, walk the mall, go thrift store shopping, go on a
"pelican hunt" ( Pensacola has artistic pelican statues all over
downtown), head to the health food store, etc.) I get a chorus of "Oh
I want to go!" Sometimes they all come sometimes only one or two
come. I do the same thing when I am doing stuff around the house.
"I'm going to bake some cookies. Anyone want to join in?" or "I'm
going to make some cards, care to join?" We are always going to the
video store for new movies to watch together (we've been on a Johnny
Depp and Tom Hanks kick lately - although not together sadly).
Fill your life up and let her know that she can join you. Look for
things that aren't "join in" activities outside the house if she is
more reserved. Our local "arts center" has a "Friday night try me
night" periodically and all kinds of artisans are there doing
different things. Maybe it is making glass beads or glass blowing or
paper mache or weaving. It's sort of a cross between artists "showing
off" and "hands on displays" There are little cafes near by where you
can pick up a meal and walk down to the center. She might like
one-on-one connections with someone who is doing something she likes
rather than a class.
--
Michelle
Michelle Leifur Reid
YOUR Pampered Chef Consultant
850-474-0817
http://www.pamperedchef.biz/michellelr
Check out my homeschool cooking classes!
> What do I do unschooling wise when she is bored or lonely? AnyWould you like it if someone signed you up for a class even after you
> suggestion I make is met with an "I don't know". Is she just
> overwhelmed with choices? Should I sign her up for a class despite
> her protests?
sais that you weren't interested? She has interests. All kids do.
Some are just harder to recognize than others. What is she doing when
she is "bored at home?" Are you doing this with her or watching from
the sidelines saying, "I wish she would DO something"? What are you
doing to make your life look richer and fuller? Are you participating
in your passions? Does she see you do this? What is something that
you have wanted to do? Maybe that "paint your own ceramics studio" or
"free day at the art museum" Make plans to go and then say, "Hey, the
art museum is having a free day and there is a Salvador Dali
expedition - you know the melting clock guy. I was thinking of going
on Tuesday, wanna come along?" If she says no, then go without her.
Next time she may want to go (especially if you bring back some cool
free literature or postcards or something.) Most of the time when I
mention that I am going off to do something (hike in the woods, go to
the cultural center, walk the mall, go thrift store shopping, go on a
"pelican hunt" ( Pensacola has artistic pelican statues all over
downtown), head to the health food store, etc.) I get a chorus of "Oh
I want to go!" Sometimes they all come sometimes only one or two
come. I do the same thing when I am doing stuff around the house.
"I'm going to bake some cookies. Anyone want to join in?" or "I'm
going to make some cards, care to join?" We are always going to the
video store for new movies to watch together (we've been on a Johnny
Depp and Tom Hanks kick lately - although not together sadly).
Fill your life up and let her know that she can join you. Look for
things that aren't "join in" activities outside the house if she is
more reserved. Our local "arts center" has a "Friday night try me
night" periodically and all kinds of artisans are there doing
different things. Maybe it is making glass beads or glass blowing or
paper mache or weaving. It's sort of a cross between artists "showing
off" and "hands on displays" There are little cafes near by where you
can pick up a meal and walk down to the center. She might like
one-on-one connections with someone who is doing something she likes
rather than a class.
--
Michelle
Michelle Leifur Reid
YOUR Pampered Chef Consultant
850-474-0817
http://www.pamperedchef.biz/michellelr
Check out my homeschool cooking classes!