First day!

[Teddy001]

I wanted to share an exciting day we had today. Just a bit of history on what transpired to my decision on the reason I've chosen to homeschool my daughter. Starting in kindergarten thru 3rd grade my daughter was attending an academically advanced private Catholic school. Although the school is an advanced school, we started her right away, in kindergarten there. She became accustomed to the academics, structure, demands, and school environment, adapted very well. She maintained honor roll grades, (A&B's) K5-3rd grade, and 2nd quarter of 3nd grade, she received straight A's. All was going very well. Durning the end of 2nd quarter, she was having very bad/chronic sore throat, constant tonsillitis, strep throat, extremely bad allergys, which aggravated, the sore throats- after 18 diagnoses of chronic sore throats, she was referred to an pediatric allergist, where she was tested for her allergies. The tests showed, she has allergies to environmental things, such as pollen, dust, grass ect. She was put on prescription allergy meds, and an inhaler due to the mucus from her allergies, caused, asthma attracts. We received an breathing machine, for the times she was extremely congested, too. We were relieved that after the meds, breathing treatments, and inhaler, her medical issues were manageable- then 3rd quarter, ( the beginning) she was mis- diagnosed, and given an antibiotic that did not fight and cure an sinus infection, and she also had the flu. Her condition, turned very bad, into pneumonia. She was admitted into a children's hospital, which she stayed for 7 days. This really set her bsck from being able to "make up" get caught up with the school acedimics. So, we had a meeting with the school principle, and although my daughter was exceeding in all subjects, we were told, there was no other options than to hold her back, and repeat 3rd grade. Our only other option was to withdraw her from the private school, as we did not want her held back. I'd thought about homeschooling at that time, but thought, she was just about finished with 3rd grade, and I'd start her homeschooling, the beginning of 4th grade or enroll her back into a private school, finishing up 3rd grade in a public school, since she tested further along than where they were at, she'd do just fine.
So, she starts 3rd grade 2 weeks into 3rd quarter, with the public school. Nine weeks into 3rd quarter, she starts complaining of severe stomach pains, vomiting at school. So, here we go again! She went through many medical tests, Cat scan,( with dye), which came back normal. The stomach pain, got worse more frequent, so her pediatrician referred her to a pedi gastro. The pedi gasto, ordered, blood work, an colonoscopy, and endoscopy. She had these procedures done at the Children's hospital, as out patient surgery. After 8 hours at the hospital, the results came back- all normal. What now? I'm thinking.. After speaking to the pedi gastro, he said he'd had 1 other case, of a boy about my daughters age, that had the same results, same severe stomach pains, and he was referred to an cognitive behavioral therapist, in which, after 6 month of treatment, his stomach pains became manageable.
Okay, so we take my daughter to this therapist. After 2 sessions, she is diagnosed with a condition called RAF( Functional abdominal pain syndrome)this condition affects 1% of children in my daughters age group. Also, she was disgnoised with a condition, in which the nerve signals are mis-firing to her brain, telling her she's in severe pain, which cause the onset to this condition is extreme stress and anxiety, after an medical condition ( flu, pnemonia, ect) After speaking to the therapist, we learned, the public school was a big factor in which was a cause of this condition. I failed to mention, she came from class sizes, of 12-16 students at the private school, to 41 students to 1 teacher in the public school. After evaluating what was going on ( my daughters point of view) with her every day experience at the public school, she said, the teacher, constantly yelled at the students, was stand offish when students asked for individual assistance, and would rather chit chat with school staff members, than conduct class, and she ( my daughter) was very frightened of her teacher. Well, the weeks she attended school at the public school, she became very stressed, anxious, and the stomach pains started along with multiple times through out the day vomiting.
With the help of my daughters therapist, we submitted an 504 request, which 2 of my daughters physicians, signed the request, along with the therapist, (Ph.d) in pediatrics counseling, to get the request " rejected" by the school principle! Basically, all that was asking of the school, was to have them help my daughter, by allowing her a few minutes, to relax, do her breathing exercises, when she felt these stomach pains coming on. They refused.
So, I was forced to make an immediate decision.. And allowing my daughter to continue in that school environment was not an option, thus, she was withdrawn from public school, 9 weeks into the 3rd quarter, with 6 weeks left til the end of the school year..
The state in which we live, requires an 3rd party called an " umbrella or cover school) to register with, in order to homeschool. It's not cheap to register with such an company, but it's mandatory to do so if homeschooling. I register her with a cover school, and then searched and searched for a good homeschool program, that would be a good fit for us. After hours of phone calling, researching, ect.. I decided on an homeschool called Abeka Academy Her start date was today. This program, comes highly recommended, and after speaking to numerous parents that are using this homeschooling program, I purchased it. Since, she is just about completed 3rd grade, the homeschool program could start her, at the 2nd quarter, 3rd grade point. I elected the " online streaming" which is done via computer, conducted by an licensed teacher, with students in a classroom setting. We started the program today. Her lessons, today, where, bible studies, math, spelling & poetry. We spent 3 hours of schooling today, mix of watching the teacher, I structure g a class, in these subjects. Class work assignments, and seat work assignments which is basically homework. We took a 30 minute lunch break, and (1)15 minute break, in which she was given choices of what she'd like to do. Either go outside and play at the playground behind our back yard, or watch TV.. She chose neither.. Lol. She wanted to play with the hammy's, although they were sleeping, she spent her break, getting the hammy's food ready for the night, and setting up their playground..
The most amazing thing, other than she did extremely well, subjects taught today- No complaints of not 1 stomach pain!!!! This is the first day, in over 6 months that she has not cried with stomach pain!!
We are started on lesson 91, the last lesson is 120, and she will be finished with
3rd grade, considering she passes the exams, and calls to Abeka Academy, call
Tests.. I'm SO thrilled, things are improving with my little girls health, and her
First day of homeschooling went much better than I anticipated....

[cutiehamster]

Homeschooling is fantastic. I was homeschooled because I struggled at school with similar things as your daughter and it worked really well Glad things are going well with your homeschooling!

[Criceto_Hamstery]

I was home schooled too. Home schooling is much rarer in the UK than in the US. Other children used to ask me did I not miss seeing my friends and socialising but I loved being home schooled. I didn't do too badly out of it bearing in mind my occupation now is a senior architect with my own construction company that I built from nothing that is currently making £400,000 a year. Your daughter will do very well at home schooling because you are getting 1-2-1 attention and learning, and you can improve on your flaws and grow with your strengths. I wish both of you the best of luck.

[Esmy]

Wow, she's gone through a lot! If it's stressed induced though, she has a long road ahead of her! I'm thinking about social activities with other kids when kids aren't so nice, teenage years, and later jobs! Glad she is doing well!! Did they say she'll grow out of it?

[fluffydd]

That sounds like a great first day. It must be lovely for your daughter to be pain free and a relief for you too. She's been through so much. It very sweet that she spent her break preparing things for the hammies

[shoshannah]

I'm homeschooled too! I was also very affected by the pressure of public school and got multiple chest pains. They've decreased since i've been homeschooled which is great! I'm taking my english literature gcse in 2 weeks but im also taking it 2 years earlier than everyone else in my year! It's great to hear your daughter is much more relaxed at home i think you made the right choice!

[RedSky]

Sounds like you have a very bright and caring girl, you should be super proud.
Such a shame she has been through so much and shocking that neither school could work with you to achieve the goal you wanted.
I hope you both do well with the home schooling.

[NiceCrocs]

I always wanted to be homeschooled when I was in school, due to being severely bullied and struggling with classes for years, but my parents wouldn't hear a word of it.

I managed to graduate, but only just. I still wonder what could have been

Good on you for getting your daughter out of that toxic environment

[Esmy]

If I had kids, my Husand and I would definitely do private school or home school!

[Teddy001]

Originally Posted by cutiehamster

Homeschooling is fantastic. I was homeschooled because I struggled at school with similar things as your daughter and it worked really well Glad things are going well with your homeschooling!

Cutie- thank you-) I'm so sorry you went thru health issues. It's heart breaking, as a mother to see their child go thru this. Give big hugs to your mom- and hugs to you. Xx