Day 1 - Slight Hysteria!

[lamoseley]

My situation:
Today, we have de registered from school! Wahoo. Finally I may get my dd (13) back in terms of "herself" after seeing a broken spirited child stand before me.

It was nice to see the tension shift, if only a little from her. Lovely walk along the beach.. She was actually smiling! I saw a very small glimpse of how she used to be. It was like winning the lottery!

Tonight:
I have so many questions I do not know where to start:
How do I do this, how do I know what to teach her, where to find resources?
I do not even know what I need to look for!! I feel like laughing and crying all at the same time. Hysteria! Relieved!

We are in no rush...but I know I will have to start somewhere. I just do not know where!

Do any of you have a secret step by step guide!!

[DartmoorMama]

There are tons of approaches. You might do well researching some of them and see what resonates. This site might start you off www.homeschool.com/Approaches/

It's really hard to say what you need to be doing specifically. Maybe plan for the end result and work backwards. So if your daughter wants to go to Uni/college then figure out what she needs and work backwards. If she has certain interest you could work from there.
I use a lot of resources from the USA. You can download a lot of things from //www.currclick.com

[ItchyTeeth]

I know how you feel, I only started at half term with my DS (11). All I can say is don't rush. Join HE groups locally and Education Otherwise and Home Ed Advisory Service, you will be amazed by what is around and hear from really enthusiastic and helpful home edders. Then start by thinking about what you and your dd want to achieve and start planning around that. My DS wanted to look at things that he was unsure of, such as times tables, also he wants to learn computer programming so we have looked at beginners books and websites. We also are looking at virtual schools too, as he likes structured learning too and wants to stay up with his peers. I was amazed by what is out there and only wish I had known earlier. Also, remember that you have control now and if it doesn't work one way you and your dd are at liberty to try another.

[julienoshoes]

Are you on FaceBook?

There is a page for home educating mumsnetters so you can chat to other home edders freely and ask as many questions as you like.

[Saracen]

Congratulations! I am delighted that your daughter seems happier already.

I am very much in favour of the idea of relaxing and taking your time. Have a good long holiday and enjoy the chance to reconnect with your daughter.

If and when you are itching to Do Something Educational but you don't know where to start, what about choosing an interesting place your daughter wants to go? It could be some local museum or historic site which you've never found time to explore properly before, or somewhere farther afield if you want a bigger adventure. That has the advantage of feeling holiday-like, being low-pressure (your daughter doesn't have to "produce" anything; she can just go enjoy the place) and feeling properly educational.

That's also the sort of thing which would impress other people. Some family members, friends and acquaintances may express doubt over the whole idea of home education, which can make you doubt yourself. Being able to point to a tangible benefit of HE straightaway may help put you at your ease. I expect there's hardly a teacher in the country who doesn't wish s/he could take children on more trips. For you, there is much more scope to do this, whether you look round the local nature reserve or plan a trip to another part of the country which lasts for days.

I'm sure lots of people on Mumsnet would have ideas for places to visit if you wanted to post about your dd's interests and say roughly which part of the country you want to look in.

[lamoseley]

Thank you all so much for replying...
I have only just had a chance to log back in (the weekend was lots of planning, discussing, tears, decision making etc that we did not have time for much else...hence housework today!)

Thank you Julie: I will check that out and also for regularly replying to my posts. Your help is appreciated no end.

Saracen:That is great advice and very helpful...especially the family/friends doubt etc! It does make you question yourself, only for a short while until I see how unhappy dd has been to the point she does not want to live.
I have full support of dh and 95% of family as they have seen what I have first hand.

We have booked for the Big Bang Fair. All going as a family over a weekend as I do have another dd and ds who do attend school (They are happy there and doing well! Relief!!)

We are in Kent, dd interests are mainly cooking (she wants to be a chef) She is very sociable and enjoys sport too. Arts and crafts, anything where she does not have to write...sigh! We have turned a corner in reading thank goodness..thanks to Gordon Ramsey"s Autobiography! x

[hamstered]

You sound like you are in my shoes. I am deregistering my daughter after a traumatic experience at school. she is also learning to destress and unwind. Much less arguing with her younger sibling today and she actually smiled. She told me, "You know what mum, it actually feels like a whole new world..."
I almost cried.
Good luck with your HE journey and am hoping 2013 is year for us!

[Saracen]

Oh hamstered, that is great news!! I am delighted for you. Happy New Year and I hope your daughter is right and that she will find a whole new world awaits her now that the school stress is gone.

[hamstered]

Thank you saracen it's comforting to know we are not alone... :)