I posted this on another forum also. basically we live in HI and are in the military. The schools here are awful. They are behind and the teachers are mean!! My daughter was beat up on the school bus this last week and no action was taken by the principal other than a scolding. My children hate school and dread it. I tried homeschooling last fall but didn't really give it my all because my husband and I were having marriage problems and I was seriously getting ready to move to my homestate and divorce him. We are much much better now, but because of my half hearted attempt he doesn't want me to homeschool again. I am convinced it is the best thing to do and my children want to be homeschooled. Any advice you can give me to try to change his mind???

If you aren't happy with the lack of action taken by the school administrators, you could seek out help with the School Board. In the mean time ... Are your children attending a public school off base or a school on a military installation? Is it possible to switch schools even if you have to drive them? I understand the concerns for your children's safety but there is also the concern for the "half hearted attempt" at homeschooling which could leave them behind.

I'm certain you will get some great advice from forumites that homeschool, but I'm going to put this out there anyway.  DH doesn't want you to homeschool and you (and it sounds like your children) hate the school system.  It wouldn't be fun or easy, but why not move back to the mainland and put your kids into a better school system.

Tinamarie:

I am convinced it is the best thing to do and my children want to be homeschooled. Any advice you can give me to try to change his mind???

Why not tell him exactly what you told us? That because of your marital problems, you didn't give it your best, but now you feel ready to do so. You can always switch back to public school if it doesn't work well this time, (the decision is not a life sentence) but if you're convinced it's the best thing AND your children want to, it sounds like it would be worth the effort.

I am agreement with Pat. If you believe homeschooling is the best option for your children, explain your feelings on it to your husband along with discussing why you felt you did not give it your entire effort.

Homeschooling is a large adjustment and some find diving right in is not the best way to approach it. Many families who have pulled their children from schools find they must have a period of deschooling before they can make a sucessful attempt at homeschooling. If you went straight from their public education into homeschool, you may have been dealing with your children being burned out on education, your children having a lack of motivation to gear up for something different or you may not have made the best choices in methods and materials for your children.

 

Some information for you on adjusting to homeschool:

What is deschooling?

Deschooling for parents

Deschooling tips

 

Overview of learning styles

 

Toni and Sunshine, first I cannot afford to move the kids and myself back to the mainland. In the military you move when the military tells you too. Secondly, there are no department of defense schools here. Only public schools. I am going to find a better time to talk to hubby and explain why homeschooling didn't work out before as well as show him my plan for the homeschool week. Maybe I just need to show him something that is logical and that I can follow. For instance, I plan on turning off the ringer on the phone and no t.v. or computer until we've completed our work. Also, it will save us money because we won't have to pay for the kids to ride the school bus (yes we pay here $32 per quarter per child) and lunches and breakfasts. Any other ideas?

I agree with Pat also.

Dh and I differ on homeschooling opinion currently, although I feel I want them in school and he wants me to homeschool. In our case our kids are teens so there isn't many school years left, so I submit and homechool these final years.

Tinamarie:

In the military you move when the military tells you too. Secondly, there are no department of defense schools here. Only public schools.

Hi Tinamarie,

I am a military wife, too. I can empathize completely!

Beside coming up with your own plan for a homeschooling day, have you checked to see if there are any homeschooling umbrella groups in your area? They might be able to give you some insight and support.

Second, be careful that you don't let the disagreement with your husband regarding homeschooling be evident to your children. Make sure you present a "united front" to your kids.

Also, have you considered volunteering in your kids' classes as much as possible? I mean REALLY make your presence known, as room mom, snack coordinator, paper grader, math helper, anything that gets you into the school on a regular basis. That way the kids know that you support them even if they must stay in their current school, and the faculty/staff know that you are available if there is a problem with your kids. (It's been my experience that teachers tend to be more level-headed and calm to the kids if there are visitors in the classroom.)

And remember, you will move again...and again...and again. You won't stay in Hawaii forever. (I don't know if that's good or bad, though. We were never stationed there, and I've heard lovely things about it.)

And oh, to all our civilian friends here at the forum---Tinamarie is NOT exaggerating about the schools in Hawaii. I've never even been there, and I've heard terrible things about them. Their reputation extends worldwide.

Tinamarie:

Any other ideas?

Cover the ground on their needs both educational and emotional and teaching techniques you plan to use to meet those along with curriculum options that support it.

 Make him a part of the decision making at all times. They are his children too after all and for successful homeschooling, you need his support. Something else to mention in your discussion with him.

 

 

slk2042:

And oh, to all our civilian friends here at the forum---Tinamarie is NOT exaggerating about the schools in Hawaii. I've never even been there, and I've heard terrible things about them. Their reputation extends worldwide.

DH & I left the military in 1990. DoD schools (Dept. Of Defense) for the most part had a very good reputation but I Did not realize that Hawaii had that reputation. Sometimes I'm amazed at the differences in school standards from state to state. I agree with the advice that you find a group of fellow home-schoolers and do the best you can until you leave the islands. Presenting a united front is very important.