Would like to join you...

[mummypig]

Hello home edders!

I thought I'd introduce myself, before I post some messages asking questions and you wonder who i am. I've been on mumsnet for ages, but have recently started thinking very seriously about home-edding ds1 who is 6 and not terribly happy at school. Nothing really awful has happened but on the other hand he's hardly thriving. I think he would do a lot better with some 1-1 attention from me and the freedom to pursue his interests more rather than having to do what teachers tell him to do (especially if that's stuff he really doesn't enjoy).

I've been thinking about it for a while and have only just broached the subject with dp who is remarkably supportive. (I thought i might have to do more convincing.)

I just have to work out the practicalities. Ds2 is 4 and currently struggling to settle in to reception. He has epilepsy and is hyperactive and possibly on the autistic spectrum. The school and family are just starting to work with a psychologist to try to find strategies to help him and us deal with his behaviour. This was initiated by the school as they are also having problems dealing with him. Plus I have a 5 mo ds3 who's no trouble but does inevitably take up time during the day. I am a sahm and I used to be an OU tutor so I feel I am up to the 'academic' side of things (as much as there may be). However, as my wise dad said, I have to make sure I enjoy it otherwise it won't be sustainable.

I can't currently envisage coping with all three at home full time. But ds2 is on the waiting list for a different local school, which I think will suit him a lot better (and has really good special needs provision). So dp and I are thinking that when ds2 gets the place (which shouldn't be too long) we will remove ds1 from school as well, and I can spend more time with him. And dp is thinking of cutting down on his work hours - perhaps doing four days a week. Also as ds2 isn't of compulsory school age until next Sep I am planning to ask the school if after Xmas he can do something like 3 full days and one half day and we can see how we all cope.

That was a longer introduction than I intended but hello to everyone.

[mummypig]

I thought I'd add that I'm already on a home-ed yahoo group for my physical area, and have had a look at MuddlePuddle and other home ed websites. I'm just starting to read 'How Children Learn' by John Holt and have a reading list with other classics on it for when I finish that one!

[onwardandoutward]

Welcome! am assuming the new Thomas/Pattison book is on your little reading list? Very reassuring about the kinds of things which HE families often do

[mummypig]

hello there. Did you mean this book? It wasn't on my list initially but has now been added. Thanks for the recommendation.

[onwardandoutward]

Yep, that's the one. Really really reassuring and inspiring