There comes a time in a homeschooling parent's life when they have to face tough questions and make difficult decisions. Do I send them to public school? Do I send them to vocational training? How do I prepare them for the future, both in furthering their education and in the workplace? Have I done everything in my power to prepare them for the future? These are questions I am facing as my two are getting older, and I can honestly say that I have tried my best to give them the brightest future possible.
I started homeschooling my teenage daughter in the fourth grade after years of being told she was disruptive, uncooperative, and unwilling to learn. She is a bright student who struggled in a class with 20 other students. When she would ask for help, she was told, "Stop being disruptive and figure it out". I brought my concerns up to the principal of her school at the time, who dismissed them as "not a big deal". After that, my daughter was singled out as having health or behavioral issues that "could not continue, or else she would be removed from class". My daughter continues to struggle with social situations due to depression and anxiety, for which she has been under care. In that sense, she is underprepared for the future until she can better cope with her diagnosis.
I began homeschooling my son in preschool after he had an altercation with another student in orientation, when the staff told me," He's mentally unstable and can not attend a public school". My son indeed does have his issues, which he is being cared for, but the altercation happened because he was standing up for someone who was being bullied. To this day, I still say he did the right thing, as the staff and other parents did nothing at the time. He is still learning to handle his issues and is underprepared for that until he can fully handle his temper.
No matter their issues, I continue to do what I feel will give them the brightest future, even if others don't agree with my choices. I will continue to homeschool them, support them, and encourage them to follow their passions. I will continue to supplement their education by encouraging extracurricular trips and life skills training. This upcoming summer, my daughter plans to look for a job, and in the fall, study and take the GED. This summer, my son plans to enjoy time with friends, skateboarding, riding bikes, and learning and practicing the electric guitar, and in the fall, entering the sixth grade.
