[Dmommab]

My daughter is currently in the 9th grade & does not like school at all - never has & I'm not sure why! We are currently exploring the option of homeschooling. We are in Ohio. Any advice? Pros, cons? Suggestions for good programs to use - internet preferable. HELP! Thanks!

[BrandyHagz]

My daughter is currently in the 9th grade & does not like school at all - never has & I'm not sure why!

First, before you jump into the homeschooling ring, it’s important to find out why she doesn’t like it. If she just hates the work, she’s going to hate it at home too…so you’ll end up fighting all day, rather than just after school.

Homeschooling is great, if you have to patience and determination to make it work…I didn’t. My son is Autistic and I just couldn’t hack it every day…it became so draining and tiresome that I was really starting to resent being home with him…so I knew that him being in school was not only right for him, it was right for me. He’s happier and I’m happier.

A lot of people gave me advice when I first started thinking about homeschooling, and the one I will pass along is this: Just like working from home, schooling at home takes a lot of personal discipline, if your disciplined then it should be no problem!

Good luck with whatever you decide to do!

As far as curricula goes, we used AlphaOmega and had some success with it…but I started with just some basic books I got on eBay and some printable worksheets I found on the net. There are tons of resources out there, so you’ll be ok if you decide to go that route!

[lucyjoy]

First, you need to check your state laws to see what is required.
The school district may have options you are unaware of also.
2 of my highschoolers attend a satellite high school with a local location. They go to the school 4 to 8 times a month and order, pick up work, and take tests. My other two teens are enrolled in Thomson High School on line. The school sends the courses one or two at a time so the kids do the work and test on line. I have to set their schedule and grade requirements or they will put in the bare minimum effort. Home schooling takes a great deal of discipline. I would also advise joining a home school group if there is one in your area.

[Dmommab]

If you are in Ohio & interested in home schooling K-12 I have an opportunity to share with you. Buckeye Online School for Success (BOSS) offers a personalized education plan, accredited curriculum, teacher support, they provide you with a computer,printer,copier & fax and will reimburse you up to $40 a month for internet access. Some of the classes are virtual classes online but there are also textbook classes as well. We met with a representative this morning & were VERY impressed! And since they are a "public school" the cost to you is NOTHING! You've already paid your taxes! We enrolled my daughter this morning & the course catalog they gave us to choose her classes was wonderful. If you have any questions you can check out their website & I'll be happy to answer any questions I can. Just wanted to provide you with this information as I've been researching homeschool options MASSIVELY & this is the most reasonable I found.

[6boysrus]

Im a first-year homeschooling Mom and happier than I have EVER been in my life!

I use Seton Curriculum (www.setonhome.org) and am schooling 5 of them right now. 8th,5th,4th,1st,K

I LOVE the flexibility, I love the Lack of stress of the kids "getting it". They work at their own pace and are completed with their schoolwork (8-9) subjects within a 4-5 hour time frame. It frees up our afternoons for outings, fieldtrips and library time.

My husband is a strong supporter and often helps them in areas where i am not strong in. The older ones help the younger ones and my days go pretty smoothly.

I am the MOST disorganized -organized person in the world so I went with an accredited program. I did not feel I was capable of the un-schooling movement or of choosing my books for ech subject. I wanted something tht was proven already and tested time and time again. Also wanted a solid Catholic program that teaches the faith in each subject.

My kids love it and we are nearly at the end of our 2nd qrtr. I send their tests in for grading online, they have options to take some tests online and get tutoring as well. they also have counselors who are excellent in assisting with everything. they tailor the program to your kids.

check your sate laws www.hslda.org. Her in IL we have none.. I dont have to submit anything to the state or required to report anything. Other states are not that great about it.

I know my children are learning, I do have them take CAT tests. The cirr. is extremely challenging and advanced.. and my kids were in a parochial school prior to me homeschooling. I have yet to be dissapointed, they are much further ahead of their peers and learning one on one .

My oldest was miserable in school.. Always behind, never able to catch up. What a change in him since we started homeschooling. the confidence he ahs gained is truly remarkable. he doest get sidetracked and he doesnt worry about "what others think of him" He is much happier and turns out he is more of a social butterfly than he was while attending school.

If youd like to talk more about this, please pm me.. Id be happy to chat..

Yvonne