As I sit here crying I can't help but ask myself that question. I am so losing my desire to homeschool my oldest. Here it is 6:09 pm and he has only done 1 subject today. Though he has managed to do a lot of other things today like watch TV, fight with his brother, play with the dog, go outside (when I wasn't looking), give me a lecture on how hard his life is and of course go to the bathroom several times.

One of the things that really bothers me is that this type of behavior is now rubbing off on my young son. Now he is goofing off way more then he use to.

What am I doing wrong? Why can't I stop this behavior? I feel like I have done everything but send him back to public school. Everyday I hear I will do better, tomorrow I will do my work without giving you a hard time and I'm so sorry mom. All of which never happens and it is getting harder to believe that he is sorry because he just keeps doing it.

My husband who has been gone all week out of town for work was home when I exploded and he said nothing at least to me. I came up stairs and he come up shortly thereafter and never said a thing. Maybe something like I said something to him or I'm sorry he upset you. Nothing! Great support I got here don't ya think?

My head hurts so much right now and I like screaming (which wouldn't help enough so I won't bother). I feel guility for yelling at him but I get to the point that nothing else helps so it just comes out. What can I do? What would you do?

Signed,

Tearful

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Posted by Sweetie

I have no advice for you, but I can offer my hugs and prayers. I hope tomorrow is a better day for all of you.

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Posted by Aligirl

I understand your frustrations. There are and always will be difficult days, and days full of tears. I have had days when I have reached the end of my rope, and called the day a wash. My oldest is only 8, but there are diffculties at every age. All I can say, is keep on keeping on. Hang in there, and don't give up! Perhaps taking some time to pray with your son before starting your school day would help. I'll be praying for you!

Ali

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Posted by Anonymous

my son is really hard work when it comes tohomeschooling, if it wasn't for my daughter been just great at everything I think I would have given up ages ago,
Keep up the great work,
Nicky in New Zealand
http://3kiwihomeschoolers.blogspot.com/

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Posted by Anonymous

This is my life. My struggles. My desire to not fail. My desire to teach. Someone said to me.....Don't you think that they have these days in public school? They just don't have the freedom or the comfort to say this to their "teachers". There they are told to mind like soldiers. It's ok for him to be off. It's more ok for you to be frustrated and sad because it is, he is, important to you. Just know that in the end it all will have been for your children. And know that you have support and understanding. It's tough and it's ok to be upset. It will work out....Because it is important to you. And someday he will know that you love him enough to do all this.

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Posted by Anonymous

I felt your pain in your email. As a former public school teacher I wanted to add that putting your child in ps may not solve the problem. He can refuse to do his work there, too, but the consequences are a bit more severe. As a pp stated, at home he has the freedom to rebel in the safety of a loving environment. All children go through ups and downs, hard times and easy. I was having some difficulties with my dd and I realized that I was pushing too hard and requiring too much. When I adopted a more relaxed approach her joy returned and I think she is learning just as much as before, if not more. I'm afraid I'm guilty of expecting too much because she's gifted. I needed to let go of that and let her follow her own interests more. I found some good ideas in A Thomas Jefferson Education by Oliver DeMille.It's a more relaxed approach to a classical home education. My dd and I were both miserable before I made the decision to relax my grip on the WTM. I held on to the spirit of it but I cut way down on what I require. In TJEd it's called "Inspire, not require." My oldest is not as old as yours but I have seen a difference. (I am not pushing TJEd, BTW, and I don't consider us TJEders, by any means. I simply learned a few good tips from their philosophy and incorporated them with the other things that I feel work for us). I do not know if my comments helped at all, but I hope you know that you do have support out here in the big HS community.

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