homeschool vs. school

[faithhope]

Hi!
So Noah will be 3 in December and his Daddy and I are torn. Well Shawn is all about homeschooling. He doesn't want Noah or any of our kids for that matter to be away from us until they can tell us that they want to be. We are chrisitan also and we want them to really have God be part of every aspect of their lives. Anyways, I am the one torn. I think Noah would thrive in school. I also don't want him gone especially not all day. As I understand it though we could send him for as little or long as we want. Also we have a homebound therapist from PARC who would go with him for 1 hour 1 day a week.
My concerns are: he is not potty trained and it kills me to think of him sitting in a pee or poo diaper for even a few minutes ;D
Noah is a social kid but he can also retreat and I would hate to think he was in a corner by himself not being part of the group.
He is such a sweetie and would never hit, but other kids do. That would kill me, to think he was being hit or bullied at all. He would notbe able to tell us.
Alsowe do not immunize so we have to find out about that first. Does anyone live in florida and to be exact in Pinellas county?
So I know it seems like a lot of concerns but the other thing is I have Isabella who is only going to be 2 in january and then a new baby due in march so will I have time to do all that they could do in the schools, I don't think so.
Any advice, words of wisdom. Helpful ideas on ways I can help my husband to really be willing to try the school thing at least for a little.
that is, If my heart would allow it ;D ;D ;D
Thanks
Jessika

[carolyn]

I think you have a lot of good questions, and the first place to look would be the preschool program he would go to. Now is the time to go visit the school, and how they run the classroom and what activities they do. The preschool teachers for the special education students are professionals at potty training so they will get that done! Many children are not trained when they start!! On the other hand, homeschooling is a personal decision, and there are many benefits to it. There are play groups you can join to give him the social stuff. Also regarding the immunizations, call the school district and they will give you the info you needs. You are the only one who can decide what is a good fit for your family, but check out all your options so you can make a choice that seems best for Noah and his family.

[kg91207]

I have to say, Kaelyn is SO clean when we pick her up from school. SO different from the daycare! So I don't worry about the diaper changing issue-most preschool rooms have an aide who handles all of that. I know that's just a small bit of your decision, but thought it might help! Kaelyn has been going for 2 weeks now, and we have seen SUCH an improvement in everything with her!!

[faithhope]

Thank you so much Carolyn and Brandi. You both give good points. I will definitely have to call the early steps coordinator to find out where Noah would qualify to go to school, so that we can go visit it. Brandi that small part of decision is actually one of mybiggest, so I am happy for Kaelyn. I hear that from every parent I ask that they see such an improvement in everything with their child, which is why I really consider school to be important for Noah.

[kg91207]

Ya know, we kept Kaelyn SO sheltered the first year of her life. We were so afraid of her getting sick. I don't really regret the decision, but it's taken her so long to develop socially. The academic side of it she catches on to real quick. and we still limit where we take her! Never been to Wal-Mart or a restaurant where they allow smoking!

[Googsmom aka Jennifer]

{{{{{HUGS JESS}}}}}} I understand your fears. This is a personal decission but of corse i'm going to throw my two cents in here LOL I was scared to death to send Brook to school. What did I do, sent her 6 months early LOL School has been THE BEST thing for her. Granted she has only Mary girl as a sibling and I really wanted her to be around kids her age and learn some social skills. That was my reasoning in hte begining. After that first year in school and seeing how MUCH she learned, I wish she could go every day (She only goes two days a week) Just yesterday when I picked her up I was so happy with what the teacher said. Brook has learned to match and actually draws a line from one match to the other. I was so happy. Brook has never been dirty after school. Sure she's been covered in paint from the painting station but I think it's cute Her panties are always clean as well.

Maybe you could try it and see how it goes. There is nothing saying he HAS to stay in public school. You can have homeschool anytime you want. Try it, you and Noah just might like it!!

Much love!

[faithhope]

Thanks Brandi and Jenn!!! I love the two cents ; ) I am going to share all your insights with Shawn and see what he thinks. Good point too Jenn, there is nothing saying he has to stay in school, we could just try.

[Googsmom aka Jennifer]

Tell Shawn that Craig was freeked to send his little girl to school. Now days you should see his face when she gets home with some new art project she has done that day His room is decorated in Brookster art

[kg91207]

Yes, my husband is MUCH more happy about her being in school than daycare! He's sad that he doesn't get to pick her up every day!! hee hee. Yesterday she got a sticker for doing something good, and kept saying "I got sticker". He couldn't wait to get home and hear her say that!