Homeschool World Forum

I have a 13 yr old that is currently being home schooled. We tried home schooling him during his 5th grade year due to a teacher and the pricipal being verbally abusive to him. That year was the most difficult I thought in my life. He refused to do his work becuase he was at home and didn't feel like he needed to. I sent him back to public school for 6th grade and things became worse. He encountered another verbally abusive teacher not just with him but with me also. We pulled him from the public school and started home schooling him again this past fall for his 7th grade year. I am still haveing dificulty getting him to do his work. I am very lucky if he does one page with out it turinging into an argument. I am at my wits end on what to do with him. He always gets angry if you even mention school work and it is a long drawn out fight between us everyday. If anyone has any suggestions on how to get him motivated again it would be greatly appreciated.

How long did you deschool for? He may need longer to adapt to a home learning environment, and a different style from you. I tend to get the best work from my 8yo when he feels involved in everything from the choosing of curriculum to what order he's going to work in that day. I take him with me to the teacher's supply store and he sits right next to me as we make our list for the upcoming year of everything we'll need. He gets more excited about the work than I do some days.

The withholding of a meal brings to mind the Little Red Hen....... "who will help me make the bread?" ........ in this household, if you don't work then you may not eat.

Most of the time around here the kids are begging me for work to do around the house.........and even begging me to do schooling sometimes.... I don't think they are stunted for life by my methods of parenting. My 10 year old just begged me (and I mean beg!) to mop the kitchen and bathroom.... well, how could I refuse.