I wasn't exactly sure where to place this topic so forgive me if it's in the wrong spot.

My 13-year-old daughter is having major problems in 7th grade (middle school) this year.  She's in all Honors classes, is getting terrific grades, has plenty of friends, but is being bullied relentlessly.  The school isn't really doing anything to punish the bully-ers so I need to take matters into my own hands.  To make a long story short, and doing hours of research, I am taking her out of middle school next year and have decided to homeschool her.  I am going to attend an orientation and a seminar in April and May so I can gather all of the information I need to get started.  Since I am a paralegal and will still be going to work every day, she will be doing most of her work during the day and then I will come home and assist her and teach her in the evenings.  I live in Pennsylvania, and since she will be 14 and I will spend at least 50% of my time with her, this is allowable by law.

Does anyone here homeschool their children or have any advice/guidance for me?  I would truly appreciate anything and everything anyone can give me.  Thank you!!   

Kathy

I have nieces and nephews who were home-schooled and it worked out well for them. They eventually went to High School, were honor students,  and my 2 nephews are in college now (honor students).

 I would try to find out if there are any "homeschool groups" in your area, maybe put a small inquiry in your local paper or search the internet. I think they could be a good source of information. My sister-in-law was connected with such a group, and they would sometimes attend field trips together.  There was a parent who knew Spanish, and all the kids would go there once a week to be taught; that was nice.

One of the things that makes home-schooling work out well, according to those I have talked to, is that the days should be somewhat "structured", like a regular school day (math is at this time, English is at this time, etc.)  It helps keep the kids on the right track. 

One thing that really concerns me, though, is that the school is not putting a stop to the bullying.  They have an obligation to do so.  I'm sure you have talked to the principal, but have you taken your complaints to the school board?  I don't blame you for wanting to homeschool your daughter.  Let us know how things go.     

Hey Kathy...maybe you could make some arrangement with another person who home schools to keep your daughter on her schedule during the day. She wouldn't be teaching your daughter, but it might be nice for your daughter to have the company. Maybe that's a weird idea. I'm sure it will be majorly helpful to meet some others who are doing this.

Sounds like you are off to a good start with orientation and the other things you mentioned!  I'm afraid some parents don't do their "homework" like you did, and homeschooling isn't what they thought it would be.

I've seen homeschooling magazines at Hastings (and I'm sure Barnes & Nobles, etc. has them too).   You might pick up a couple and look them over.   

Havurah removed her Perfect Girl after 5th grade for home school.  She is now in 8h grade and we are having a ball.   Of course, I am home with her and that make a difference to geting the work done.  Go for it!   bounce There is nothing going on in the public school that is so beneficial or exclusive that you and she cannot d yourselves.  e-mail me at gbaskir@cox.net if you want to know what we are doing and using.   In the meantime, I will have fun with the icons.

NPP -- My heart goes out to you.  It's a tough decision to make, especially when your husband isn't supportive.  That's what surprised me about my husband agreeing to our daughter being home schooled.  He's an ex-Marine, a Mr. Tough Guy, but he knows what a precarious situation we're dealing with (my daughter is also on anti-depressants) and since our daughter is very responsible, he agreed.  I know I've got a rough road ahead of me, but without his support, I couldn't do it.

For your situation, I would go to the school principal again.  There's no excuse for bullying and the district does have a responsibility for the safety of our children.  Good luck to you!! 

I agree with the Countess!  Kathy and NPP, a call to the local paper may be in order.  Of course, I understand wanting to protect your daughters'  privacy. The paper may agree to run the stories without photos and use pseudonyms, esp. since your daughters are minors. There are surely other children in your school systems who are vicitims and nothing was done about them, either. 

I remember being bullied on the bus once by a much older boy.  I ran into the house crying. The bus meanwhile had a stop down the road from me, it would be making a circle and passing by my house again; this day, Mother was waiting for the bus.  She said that the bus driver asked if he could help her, and she said, I want to talk to this kid right here, and got right in this kid's face. (he wasn't a stranger, we had grown up knowing his family).   I watched from inside the house; I couldn't hear what she said,  but I know that kid got an earful!!     He wasn't allowed to ride the bus any more after that.   Of course, this was years ago.  (Thanks, Mom, you always had my back. Miss you   Love).

kathy - i now I'm waaaay late on this (as usual) but I have some experience here.

I was homeschooled in the 8th grade because the public school environment just got so awful. I begged my mom to stay home. At the time we lived in Ohio, so the laws are different in each state but...it was easy. At that age, she doesn't need much instruction, she can learn on her own if she can read! The math texts that homeschoolers use are so fantastic that they don't require a teacher to do the work. It was so great that when I went back to public school I blew through the math courses and made it through calculus. (this helped me go to engineering school later too)

So it will be beneficial to your daughter not ONLY because it removes the stress and distraction of the yucky middle school environment, but she will probably fly ahead in her studies. She doesn't need to work for 5 hours a day - I literally had "school" for maybe 3 hours each morning. That was it. (and my mom worked part time, so she wasn't with me all day either)

And I am fully prepared to yank my kids out of school in the future should anything like what you describe happen to them. I HATE the public school environment. It is toxic on so many levels.

Have peace knowing you are doing something great for your daughter, and do not stress or worry about the education aspect of it - that always takes care of itself.
I'm so sorry that your girl was being bullied. Half the problems in this world are the direct result of crappy parents.