Comments on: How We Decided to Homeschool

By: Britt Kelly

Britt Kelly — Mon, 17 Mar 2014 23:09:03 +0000

Thanks for sharing Christine! Everyone’s journey is so different! I”m glad you were able to meet your son’s needs! He’s blessed to have you as a mom!

By: Christine Bell

Christine Bell — Mon, 17 Mar 2014 13:12:57 +0000

For us, the decision to home-school was made when our youngest was in junior high. He was being bullied plus his academic needs weren’t being met. He was very bright but easily distracted so his academic performance didn’t qualify him for one of the seats in the gifted program. He gained from homeschooling and I did too. Through a local homeschooling group we gained friends and the support of others that understood what we were trying to do.

By: Britt Kelly

Britt Kelly — Thu, 13 Mar 2014 23:13:50 +0000

Ashley, thanks for reading! In my experience there is no short cut to education. Whether in or out of a public school, parents have to be involved.

It was an interesting process. I’ve always been grateful to my husband for biting his tongue and waiting patiently for me to come to it!

By: ashley dewey

ashley dewey — Thu, 13 Mar 2014 20:34:42 +0000

Thank you for sharing this post. I do not have children of my own yet, but I have always been impressed by mothers who take responsibility for the education of their children! I appreciated your insights on your decision making process. I am sure your children will be blessed for your dedication!

By: britt

britt — Thu, 13 Mar 2014 19:33:38 +0000

Public schools can do amazing things with children with disabilities, precisely because dealing with a disability frequently requires a unique skill set and approach. It can also be a very very hard place for a uniqued child…when their needs aren’t taken into account.

I’m glad you were able to step up for your children Terrie. That was a harder step to make in the 80s.

By: Terrie Lynn Bittner

Terrie Lynn Bittner — Thu, 13 Mar 2014 17:06:38 +0000

Our initial decision was academic also. My daughter was highly gifted (started teaching herself to read at age two) and learning disabled. In those days, schools associated learning disabilities with reading disorders and her learning disability wasn’t even on the list. They didn’t know what to do with her. Some teachers were wonderful and some just didn’t get it. Eventually we learned about homeschooling–it wasn’t so common in the 1980s–and went that route. Schools are great for kids who fit into certain slots, but they’re often not set up for kids who don’t. With homeschooling, my kids could work as far ahead as they wanted while having their disabilities accommodated. Accommodation wasn’t very acceptable then, either. Really, when they learned at home, their disabilities didn’t impact them at all and they’re all doing fine as adults.