Is it healthy for a child to go back and forth from public school to being home schooled again?

Question

2 of my sisters in law do this quite often with their kids. One has 3 children and the other has 5. The kids are at public school for 1 to 2 months then something "happens" at the school and Mom decides to pull them out and home school them. Until things get crazy at home, then she send them back to public school. Has anyone ever dealt with this issue that could shed some light on why they may be doing this with their kids? One of the sisters-in-law even moves her kids back and forth between different public schools in the city, usually when her kids have a disagrement with a teacher or another student. Its just weird.

The children's ages: 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 15, 16,

Answer 1

Homeschool is just plain wrong. Kids deserve a chance in life, and they will not get that from homeschooling. Keep them in public school, even when an incident happens.

Answer 2

I personally am homeschooling; however, I think it is better to homeschool because of its advantages rather than homeschooling out of fear of the unknown. The latter has the potential to lead to a kind of isolationist homeschooling scenario which isn't always healthy for the child. If you love to teach and are a upbeat, creative individual and love nothing better than reading, playing, doing crafts with your child, and if you and your child have a close relationship without a lot of battle of wills and your child doesn't seem to crave or require a lot of social peer interaction, then maybe homeschooling is a good fit for you. You don't mention if your child has siblings--this would be important to know. Many people successfully homeschool only children, but they work extremely hard to ensure that their children are very involved in many activities and are around a lot of other people regularly. Homeschooling preschool is a lot of fun. You might feel differently about his and (your's) readiness for public K after this year. A year can do wonders for a child's emotional maturity. In any event, your child should be used to following directions from others, handling separation without prolonged distress, waiting his turn, sharing, handling not being the center of attention etc, whether he is homeschooled or not. A good part time preschool can be good for helping children learn these skills if the child has been having some difficulty with them. I know several homeschoolers who are homeschooling early elementary kids who never learned these basics and I can't help but wonder if preschool or a year or two in a school environment might have done them some good before they started homeschooling. Of course, I have no idea of the reality of your public schools. Often the reputations of the worst schools in the nation get all the attention and press coverage, while most schools do an acceptable and some, an admirable, job of educating. Visit your local schools and talk to as many teachers and other moms as you can to make up your mind. Good luck!

Answer 3

I did. It was what worked for me, because it wasn't easy for me to make friends until I was in college. It all really just depends on the child. Though I made the change between grades not between months.
Maybe they should try a charter school. Or they're are also programs out there that send assignments to the homeschooling kids, so Mom doesn't have to worry about that part and just needs to make sure they're doing it. Which can also be hard, especially if both parents are working during the day.
Though it sounds like your sisters may just be spoiling their kids. I don't know the whole situation though, so I really can't say. Maybe ask if they need your help at all. The idea of working and educating their kids as well, might feel very overwhelming at times.

Answer 4

Kinda a weird question....

To have a sister-in-law who is misbehaving to such and extent is rather unusual.... to have TWO sister-in-laws who are doing this means that there MUST be a common denominator. In this case it would be your family.

So before starting to blame your brothers' wives, better look at them first.

This is a case of overprotecting, and no its not good for the kids, they will grow up as dysfunctional as their parents, if not more so.

I don't have a problem with homeschooling, I don't have a problem with public schooling, but I have a problem with bouncing kids from place to place. I am betting there is more to this than meets the eye. 2 brothers that can't keep their kids in a single place for more than a couple of months??? Sounds like someone is running from something, or trying to hide something.

Answer 5

I would try and convince them to stick to one or the other. It can't be good for the children and they must be very confused.
You dont say how old the kids are but they won't end up having any friends because they are moving so much. Also they won't learn because each school and at home they might all be teaching them the same things or completely different. The children need whats best for them, and that is staying in one place.

good luck and i hope it all ends up okay. :) x

Answer 6

RIdiculous. This isn't parenting. This is an easy way for kids to get out of actually going to school and coping with others around them. Parents who homeschool do not realize the trouble they are causing. Home schooled children are often "weird" and socially disfunctional. If you confine your children too much they will either rebel or be socially inept. Teachers have credentials/certification, masters degrees, etc. Parents can not assume this role and be good at it. This is too weird for me. i feel sorry for these children. They are going them a disservice.

Answer 7

She's actually doing her own children more harm than good. First of all she's teaching them that they don't have to adjust to any situation as long as she's in the driver's seat. Those kids need to learn how to get along with people they like and don't like. Actually, she needs to learn that as well. She's just setting a really bad example for them. I feel bad for the kids - they'll probably turn out to be complete brats and no parents will allow their kids to play with them because they are always questioning authority. It would be interesting to see how they are as adults.

Answer 8

Not healthy at all. She has to realize that you cant protect your kids from everything. They have to learn how to deal with the world. That's why I personally dont think homeschooling is a good idea, because while most parents think they are protecting their kids, but really they are crippling them, because when the kidssgo to college and have to deal with the real world they arent going to know how to deal with pressure from friends, and school.

Answer 9

It isnt healthy at all. They shouldn't be pushed around like this. Your sisters in law needs to decide if they are going to be in public school or home school because that just ain't right.

Answer 10

This is not good at all for the child.It is teaching them to run away from their problems at school.Plus they have to hate home schooling after they get a taste of public school with all those kids.I'm sorry to say this but she is going to have screwed up children.Good luck.From,someone that works with children.