ADHD of the Christian Kind - List Archives: Homeschooling (Part 1)

Homeschooling 1999 - Part 1

NOTICE: The following posts are taken from the Christian ADHD Alternative Treatment List. The names, e-mail addresses and locations of all parties involved have been removed to protect their privacy. The posts have been used with permission, but are copyrighted by ADHD of the Christian Kind.

As stated above, my 9 yo has ADHD. He was diagnosed both by a neurologist and a pediatric counselor. He has also been diagnosed with Anxiety Disorder which I also have.

He was initially put on Ritalin (which we had a great deal of time getting the right dose, etc!) Then he was on Dexedrine (which is also taken as a diet pill) During this time he was in public school and I worked full time. Things were VERY difficult to say the least!!

To make a long story short, we now homeschool, and he is not on ANY medication. Things get difficult sometimes, but after much prayer, I believe we have done the right thing.

Homeschooling can and will relieve the pressure put on our "different" children to be like all the other children. They never will be and should be free to learn in a comfortable atmosphere. Bless you for making the sacrifice to have your children at home now.

The anxiety disorder might be harder to deal with than ADHD itself. I know as I have AD myself as well as ADD. Remember Barbara Johnson's book entitled, "God uses cracked pots"? I feel like that is me; God is still using me and my family in spite of our disorders.

If I say nothing else this holiday season, I want to say this: our children were created by God Almighty Himself, molded in our wombs with great care. I confess over my children that they are vessels of honor, not dishonor before the Lord. They are gifted in different ways, and I endeavor to find those God-given gifts and draw them out so my children can serve the Lord all the days of their lives. There is hope for our children. God did not make any mistakes when he placed our children in our homes. Remember, the comfort we receive from the Lord we can give to others.

I suspect my 11 year old son of ADHD; we're testing in a week or so. I have a question as far as homeschooling. How many hours a day does your son actually study and "do school". I'm asking because I started David in school a year early at a private Christian school that did the PACEs. If you've not heard of it each student works independently at a desk and does their work in books called PACES. There are no grades like 2nd, 3rd, exactly, but you go from one PACE to the next until you finish school. A test is taken after each PACE and you get a number grade for the test. The school averaged the number grades of all paces of all subjects at the end of each year. David's average for first and second year was 98 both years. He also seemed to have no problems concentrating. Third grade I put him in public school do to several reasons: church school we had him in split churches and because my dad was senior pastor and the school went with the other pastor; I got married and moved into a better school district; and that private school was pretty small and didn't have alot of resources as public school. He's struggled since, and I have come to learn of possible ADHD. He's failing three subjects this year but making A's in science and band which are his faves so I know he's smart enough. He's even mentioned to me of homeschooling. I might consider if I think it would help. He's not every social either and doesn't get along with the kids well, even though I've taught Biblical principles all along.

I can understand the frustration you are going through. I believe that you have pretty much answered yourself in your post. The fact that you have a small (one-on-one / go at your own pace) school to compare public school to, is a big help! Your son has shown that he CAN and DOES learn well given the right circumstances. Unfortunately, a lot of public schools are not equipped, or are not willing, to create the right circumstances for ADHD children. (As well as those with other disabilities!)

I think that it is fairly typical for children w/ ADHD to not socialize alot. I know that I have found that to be true. Although, my son also has Anxiety Disorder that contributes to this I am sure. He is much happier at home than with a school full of kids. We live in a small town, and the school here is even "too crowded" for him.

Only you can answer if homeschooling is the right thing for you. It is not for everyone, but I love it! I did not make the decision without much thought and prayer though!!

My children do very well at home. My daughters are excelling in many areas. My sons, though they are having difficulty would not do good in the public school setting, especially with the attitudes taken about ADD/ADHD children. We school in small times periods doing many hands on activities. As a Christian I feel much more comfortable having my children learn at home in a kind and loving environment. There are many great books to read about homeschooling. There is one that gives some great statistics on homeschooling children and college scores. If you like I could send you some titles.

Regarding socializing in homeschooling. It seems that my family and I have turn down events. There is so much that is going on we couldn't possibly keep up. And then of course there are church activities for the children all the time. We are one busy homeschooling family.

I have been told by the State of Tennessee Department of Education that the state does not give out a diploma to homeschooled kids because they have no idea what they have been taught. The lady did however did say that the kids would have to take a GED. She also said that a kid can go to college to be anything with a GED. The military will accept a GED.

I realize that the socialization issue is a big deal to many people but it is not such a big deal to me. Kids can get social skills from Boy Scouts, Little League, and church activities.

The public school system does not provide a healthy social environment. A child can be packed into a classroom of 20 or more students. They only interact with children that are the same age as they are. They form social orders that are cruel to those children that are not considered one of the group. Peer pressure causes children to make bad decisions for the sake of impressing their friends and to remain part of the in crowd. In addition, The parents have no control whatsoever with whom the child interacts with at school. This becomes a greater concern as the child gets older.

There are some people that have the opinion that children should be exposed to the "real world," good and bad. I believe that a child should know about the bad things out there but I think our children should learn about these things under the love and guidance of their parents. Children need to learn how to interact in all types of environments and with children/adults of all ages.

I don't know about you but I don't want my child to learn from what a public school has to offer. For one thing,they don't teach the Bible and for me that is a huge requirement for my child's life. I don't want him to learn that we all come from a BIG Bang. I want him to know that he is fearfully and wonderfullly made just as God says he is. Public school is not going to teach that.

Also later when he gets in Jr.High School I don't want the public school to tell my son that sex is okay as long as it is safe and hand him a condom. I want him to know that sex is NEVER okay until he is married. Public school is a joke and it has been ever since they took God out of it.The percentages of teen pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases skyrocketed when God was removed from the classroom. I don't know about you but I don't want my children to go anywhere that my Saviour is not welcome.

And that comment you made about parents not being qualified to teach their children is totally opposite of what God says. His word says to train them up in the way they SHOULD go.Public school cannot do that. Only a parent can train up their children in a way pleasing to God. God gave us kids and God wants us to teach them His ways and public school can never do that unless they themselves follow His ways.

I totally agree with you! I find this quote by Martin Luther very profound and sadly, to have come to pass.

"I am very much afraid that schools will prove to be the great gates of hell unless they diligently labor in explaining the Holy Scriptures, engraving them in the hearts of the youth. I advise no one to place his child where the Scriptures do not reign paramount. Every institution in which men are not increasingly occupied with the Word of God must become corrupt."
Martin Luther

I teach in a Christian school, after 13 years of home schooling, I've also worked in public schools, both traditional and Montessori. The more I work with groups of children the more I'm convinced that school is not a healthy enviornment for children. Even in Christian schools they learn bad language, listen to unacceptable music and torment each other. I have an ADHD 2nd grader and would give anything if I could home school him. Have you spent time in classrooms and on playgrounds? Generally, playgrounds are the worst places for kids to learn socialization. Christian schools are much better than public, but for those families who are lead to home school that's the best.

Well, I have 5 kids. I have one 15 year old ADHD medicated daughter in a *private Christian school* that is good, but NOT perfect. I am frequently disappointed by her classmates and their parents. (parents: at least one of which is *supposed* to have testified to being a believer). My 12 year old daughter (mild, unmedicated ADHD) will move up to that school next year, though. Right now, I think it is the right place for them. Our grade school is a private *non-Christian* Montessori-based Toddler through 6th. The Head is a believer, as are most of the teachers, but we have many different faiths attending (even Zoro-astrians!) The 12 year old is blossoming there. My ADD, right-brained 9 year old son is doing OK there. My 7year old classic hyper ADHD adorable son (he can be very scary, too -- God designed him in an awesome manner!) is thriving there, with a beautiful articulate Christian African American teacher, who has adapted the classroom to fit him. I've bragged about her here before.

However, I will be *homeschooling* my boys next year for several reasons. First, the middle elementary teachers, although good teachers for most kids, do not adapt well to very squirmy boys. (He is VERY squirmy!) I don't want his spirit crushed. Our church's Christian school's curriculum is OK, but this kid reads at 5th grade level and is ready for times-tables. He would waste too much time there. The other private options are not of our faith, or are inferior. (_Our_ *public* school tossed God out before I attended there 25 years and more ago, and it is arrogantly tolerant of anything EXCEPT Christianity today.) Plus, my son needs some occupational therapy for fine motor skills, and some tutoring for his writing skills, due to grapho-motor problems. So, if he went to any school, I'd have to squeeze all that into our families' already chaotic after-school hours. Then, he couldn't do sports, which he loves. Ditto for the 9 year old. He needs some extra drilling in areas where he needs help, but he excels in other areas.

What will we do next year? "Who knows.....I-don't-know's on first....third base?" The LORD is pitching, though, so I'll take a swing at whatever He sends me!

My point? We have to choose from a variety of options what seems best for our kids. Not only are all our kids different, but all of our options are different. Some public schools are still good. Some never were. Some private schools will not adapt at all for kids. ("Why should we?" they think. "We have 100 kids on the waiting lists.") The "cheap" private church schools are $3000 per year. Our grade school is $8100! The Christian high school is $6100. (The non-Christian high schools are $11,000 and they have huge waiting lists!!!) No one who has a limited income can pay for that, and there are waiting lists for scholarships, too. The only people who qualify for scholarships are poor single moms. If you have multiple kids and a limited income and don't like the public school, homeschooling is the only answer.

Don't YELL at me. I did NOT say that money is the only reason for homeschooling. Note my decision above. It's not because of money. Many of my friends who homeschool highschoolers have their kids going to college part of the day, earning college credit! Two of our church's homeschoolers received FULL RIDE scholarships to prestigious universities this year.

My point again? The situation is different for each family and each kid. Some people don't have the temperament for homeschooling (kid or parent). It all depends.

Continue to Homeschooling - Part 2