I am the mom of one child. I had been homeschooling him from kindergarten through most of second grade (as of Sept.2001, he is in 3rd grade). Due to circumstances beyond my control, I was forced to return to the 'work-force' outside of the home. He and I are miserable with our situation, however, I still need to make the $$$ and have the insurance. With the terrorism going on, I am a nervous wreck about him being in school. My instinct is to pull him back out of public school and resume our efforts at night and on the weekends, while I , for now, continue to work. I would like to know if other countrysider's are considering returning to or beginning homeschooling based on these factors. I don't want to be fearful or an alarmist, but I don't want to be a victim of circumstance either. Any suggestions are welcome. Thank you.

-- Gretcehn O'Connell (2driedbeans@taconic.net), November 04, 2001

Answers

No, no one is pulling their kids out of school.

The hype is SO overblown on the anthrax, etc. Anthrax is in the animal population in the U.S. So is tuberculosis, brucellosis, etc. Germs abound. It's just another life form.

No one that I have heard has asked if some out of the way post office in west Timbuktoo has anthrax in it. I bet it does... I bet they ALL do, just like they have flu germs, cold germs, herpes... it's just that if your system is vulnerable, you catch something.

-- Rose (open_rose@hotmail.com), November 04, 2001.

Gretchen, I understand the feeling of alarm, especially if you're a single parent. I was forced into the work place 2 yrs. ago after homeschooling for 11 yrs. My girls are now attending a Christian school but when this attack happened my first instinct was to gather my kids and all go home where we hope to remain safe. I had to stop and think thru what was best at the time. No, I could not risk my job because of the $$ and insurance either - we had to keep going. I just continue to watch the news daily and go on with my life. Not sure what the future holds and part of that is scarey enough after 9-11. If things would become drastically worse, then I think many of us would "pull out" and stay close to home till it blows over. (if it does) Until then, trust the One who holds tomorrow in His hands. Nothing is going to suprise Him.

-- Pat (mikulptrc@aol.com), November 04, 2001.

Gretcehn, Your comment "With the terrorism going on" What terrorism? nyc on 9/11 yes, but what since then? Anthrax? maybe/maybe not an external terroist act. If your worried about anthrax and your kids, how are they any safer at home than at school?

You should be concerned but panic is not going to help.

-- Gary (gws@redbird.net), November 04, 2001.

There is no need to pull any of ours out. If you will notice, Sam B. in the Orzarks is not being bother,neither is Mary Jones in north dakota,or the West family in Oregon, all or any activity is taking place on the east coast(NY,NJ,Florida). If I ever noticed a trend that anywhere and anyplace was getting Bio's or terrorist activity on a everyday occcurence then maybe I might pull out for awhile but that is just not the case, out of 280 million people in this country, 279 to 279.9 million are doing just fine

-- TomK(Mich) (tjk@cac.net), November 04, 2001.

As an elementary/middle school teacher and a parentI would only say that your child is as safe at school as he is any place else. the schools have measures in place to respond to any emergency. There is a tendency these days for all of us to respond in an alarmist fashion and to protect what is ours, but our children are already feeling the stress of the entire situation. They should be made to feel safe at school, so that their entire world does not feel like it is falling apart.

-- tammy (tlharriswv@cs.com), November 04, 2001.

I am thinking of pulling my kid (special ed.)out of school, but it has nothing to do with what is going on in the world, it has to do with what is or isn't going on in her life. She does not seem to be enjoying it as she had been, she has become a little violent, and she does not seem to be learning anything. 3 days at home she does fine, 4 days at school she acts out, hmmm. Don't panic, pay attention to what is going on and prepare yourself mentally for various possibilities. You know you could be feeling quilty about not homeschooling anymore, which would make someonewant to pull their kid out for even the smallest thing. Tana

-- Tana Cothran (tana@getgoin.net), November 04, 2001.

We all sometimes feel like the mother hen with our chicks but I do understand how you feel. I think probably they are fine in school as was mentioned there are diaster plans in the schools if anything should happen. I don't think I would want my children home possibly alone if some awful thing did happen in your area. Have you ever considered a Home Based business that you and with your child help you could run from home and not have an outside job. I have my own business with a major number one company for women and if you would like imformation I would be glad to tell you about it. Not exactly a homestead type of business but wonderful all the same and the opportunities are great !! Insurance is another thing to consider but on the forum today they were talking about catastrophic insurance where they payements are low enough for most people to handle. That might be another option for you to consider. These are troubled times but we need to get and keep our house in order, not to panic over every new broadcast we hear (watch no TV if possible) and listen to the news on the radio on your way to work. You child will pick up on your fears and that you don't need. Prepare your home with the necessary emergency supplies and know what and where to go if something does happen. Just remember if you do all you can the Lord will take care of the rest.

-- Helena (windyacs@npacc.net), November 04, 2001.

I have often thought of pulling the kids from school for many reasons.On 9/11 my first thought was to run and get them .I guess it will be wait and see.I fully understand your feelings , try to calm down .

-- Patty {NY State} (fodfarms@slic.com), November 04, 2001.

Don't pull your child out of school because of fear. I plan on starting to deliver mail again because they can't find anyone to do it. The schools are as safe as anywhere else.

-- Patricia Ramsey (WOOLSPIN@AOL.COM), November 04, 2001.

I've homeschooled for two years, so my kids are already home. I did call the local school following 9/11 and they said some parents had taken their kids out of school THAT day, but not that they pulled them permanantly. Recently the Bangor Daily had an article which mentioned some kids began homeschooling since then. My sister, whose son loves school, says she is prepared to remove him if things get worse. Point is that, as mentioned by others, thus far there is no reason to take your kids out of school solely due to the fear of terrorism. However, you are not alone in considering taking your child out of public school.

-- Epona (crystalepona2000@yahoo.com), November 04, 2001.

Most teachers consider their "charges" as one of their own we would protect them as if they were our own. Schools have plans in place to meet almost any disaster that could come along, so at home or school your child will be protected by someone who cares about them. I teach high school students and believe me I am just as protective of them as I am of my own. If they sneeze I make sure they get to the nurse, if they are unhappy we talk and work through it, and the boyfriend/girlfriend thing is ongoing but so far I haven't lost anyone they have all lived through it. Most teachers are the same we care about our students and will protect them above all else. Have faith don't pull them out of school it will only cause problems in other areas of their life. Have faith we will all get through this somehow.

Trust in the almighty one he is in charge. Sally

-- (mallardhen67@hotmail.com), November 05, 2001.

Gretcehn,

Do whatever you can to get your financial situation in order, then start teaching your son at home again as soon as possible. I understand trying to get the "$$"....I am the breadwinner (and breadmaker lol)..in my household. It's tough sometime, but DW and I decided from the start of our family...homeschooling our tribe was the ONLY option. It's been hard , but we've made it work. Cut back on whatever you can. EVERYONE, including any Luddites in the forum, can cut some expenses.

Problems from a "terrorist group" at school is not very likely....but violence from another student is.

Excessive peer pressure, drugs, filthy language, and a host of other bad habits start as early as ...or earlier than...3rd grade. This is a very impressionable time for your child. Let it be you to mold him instead of a stranger.

I hope things get better for you.

-- Jason in S. Tenn. (AJAMA5@netscape.net), November 05, 2001.