Daughter Starting School for the First Time

I have been in your boat before. Only my kids were perfect at home schooling. And I never could make up my mind if I should home school them or put them in school. I still think home schooling is the best option. However, my kids go to public school now... except for my 4 year old, of course.

It was hard putting them in school. My son would cry everyday. And I mean everyday. But once he was at school, he was fine. Fast forward 4 school years later and he is thriving in school. He does not always love it. We move around alot being in the Army. So he has had to deal with alot of different teachers, classroom situations, and even the occasional bully.

I do know they are NOT learning as much as they can in school. (I say they, I also have a daughter who goes to the same school. She is a social butterfly and adapted very well) I will always know I can do a better job. However, I was not good at scheduling and I think that school allows them to have that scheduled time that they need.

I would try it. Say in your mind you are going to commit to public school for a whole year. If you don't like it, you always know you have homeschooling as an option. Also join the PTO and make sure you are involved in her homework and ask questions of the teacher as much as possible.

Good Luck =)

Have you thought about finding a mom who home schools and you give her a small fee to also school your child . Maybe their set up will modivate her for learning and be more intentional because it is not you it is someone else.
You could come assist and help her in group work with her kids and maybe make it a co-op.

I am for the private schools for my kids, but that is because other schools in my area are not a option for my kids or my family. So kinda started and don't know how to stop. So I hear your concerns.

If you are 100 percent committed sending her to public school, just ignore my post. If you are on the fence keep reading.

I am a homeschooler too, I have a 4th grader, a 2nd grader and a preschooler. My kids have never gone to "building" school but they do have a schedule, well a flexible scheldule. Oxymoron right? Not really :) . School starts at 9AM-ish, sometimes the teacher is late LOL. I give them a check sheet each week with what they need to get done for each day. They can do it in any order, do all lesson and save the worksheets for last, whatever they want. BUT they have to get the scheduled day's work done or else. Usually it's losing Wii or computer time, and the threat of that is enough to straighten them out.

Does she like/did she have input in choosing the curriculum? Is it too boring or too hard? My kids use a computer based curriculum and love it. I know I would have huge problems if I tried to do literature based (which I would love) or all bookwork. My second grader is obstinate in all things except school. It's very clear what he needs to get done on a daily basis. I'm in the school room with them but I don't hover "Did you get xxxx done yet?". They watch/read the lessons online, I'm there to help, further explain, clarify, whatever and I often sit with them when they do the worksheets so I KNOW they have learned the lesson. I think the fact that they have the responsibility on their shoulders to get it done or lose what they love is motivation enough. If you want more info, encouragement, support, private message me.

L.

We have a girl at my kids school who did just this. We knew her from the library story time while she was home schooled and very shy. She has been at the kids school for a couple of years now and is very outgoing with lots of friends so it seems to have worked for her. Make sure you get involved with the school - PTO, volunteering, going on field trips and project a positive image of it for your girl....good luck!

I went from a private school to a public school. Initially it was an ajustment. But I found friends who were in the same situation as me and it went very well. I know this is different than your daughter's situation but still it was a different environment going from private to public.

We are in Hartland School District in Michigan. The school has great academics and quite frankly I wish I was back in 10th grade as I LOVE my son's teachers.

The values you've taught your daughter will be instilled in her. Just keep teaching her good values and that will help her.

I wish you both much luck and best wishes in your new journey. It is perfectly normal for you to worry about her being picked on. I think most parents worry about that.

While I have not gone from home schooling to "normal" school I assume the feeling you have is much the same as any parent sending their child off for the first day of school. Like you said before you are unable to control what is happening.

Be sure to talk to her every day be it at dinner, or at bed time, or any time you can. Ask her about her day, if she made any friends, if anything particularly good or bad happened. Ask her a million and a half questions. Always check all papers that come home even if it's just a drawing she made during free time. It is important to try to stay as involved as you can. Even if it is just checking her homework and finding out what they learned in math that day.

Volunteer at school whenever possible or at least extend the invitation to her teacher. Do not be afraid to as her teacher(s) questions but try to remember to relinquish control gracefully ;-) Always make parent teacher conferences. If you are unable to meet with the teacher on the scheduled conference days be sure to schedule a date with the teacher when you are available. Always find ways that you can help her along at home such as finding out what areas she needs a little more help in. Teachers are usually very willing to give you extra help on this such as web sites, or activities that can help.

Prepare her for the fact that not everyone will always be nice. This is true both in school and in adult life. I do not know how old she is but there are some great books out there about cliques and bullying. One I can think of off the top of my head is Queen Bees and Wanna Be's. My friend has a 5th grader and they read it and loved it.

Be sure the school understands her situation and are willing to help her along maybe by assigning her a student partner to help her around for the first few weeks. This can also help her to make new friends and feel more comfortable especially since she will someone to sit with at lunch.

Whenever possible reach out to another parent if you have questions. I find that other parents are the absolute best resource when I have questions. I am newer to my school district (coming from private schools) and have learned so much about our new school simply by meeting other parents.

Many schools have family nights or activities (ours do a skate night once a month). We also have a lot of activities at school like plays, fund-raising nights etc. This is where you get to mingle the most with parents. Also, the bus stop can be a fountain of information if you child will be riding the bus.

Most importantly, do not feel like a failure. You tried homeschooling and it just wasn't right for you daughter. I hope that you both handle the transition well! Sorry for making this so long :-)