[LovelyGourmet]

Originally Posted by SonshineMama

and how is his vision, focus, and other developmental milestones (do u know abt midline? I’m curious if he was age typical in crawling and tying shoes). Before I did anything I’d be very carefully considering those.

PLUS how’s his diet? Does he get enough fats? is he a kid who eats peanut butter out of the jar? Or craves salt?

Is this seasonal (fall?) or all the time?

Before I worked on environment or behavior, I’d be looking at organic issues.

He seems to be developmentally normal. He crawled on time, walked early. He can focus for long periods of time on lego projects. He still doesn't tie shoes though... I think this might me the crux of things. My hunch is that he's a perfectionist and if something is hard he gives up before he really tries because he doesn't want to fail.

He is pretty picky lately as far as eating. Seems like he likes fewer and fewer foods.

It's all the time. It's escalating over time.

Originally Posted by Katigre

I agree with you that it doesn't sound like backing off school is the right solution when this has been a long-standing issue in his work ethic/attitude toward school. That's building a habit that runs counter to long-term homeschooling success.

Plus, he's reaching an age where academics shouldn't be decreasing in time but be increasing as he moves into more content-rich areas after mastering the 3 R's of early elementary school. Those content subjects take time - no matter how you tackle them - and I would be concerned that building an expectation of school as something he does less of the more he resists may make moving into more in-depth science, history, reading, writing, math something he resists instead of embraces as a good, enjoyable part of his homeschooling.

I believe strongly in challenging kids in the realm of school. My kids best academic growth has come when they faced an assignment that intimidated them and initially led to some tears and frustration. But I didn't back off of requiring it, I knew they were capable of it, we kept working on it, and they were so proud of themselves when they finished and saw what they'd produced. Both my older kids (8 and 11) have referred back to those experiences to encourage their siblings when they face a challenge with their schoolwork and question their ability to tackle it. Working through the process of academic challenge has built a real sense of accomplishment of what they're capable of, above and beyond what they initially thought. Those types of experiences of conquering a challenge are important for developing self-confidence IMO.

Is homeschooling the right choice for him? Every parent-child relationship is different, and what can be a great fit for some can be less optimal for others. Not all kids learn well from their parents at home, and some do better in a classroom setting (just like not all kids learn well in a classroom setting, and some learn better at home with their parents instead).

Work ethic is exactly what I worry about/what seems to be the sticking point. He has a hard time with anything being required of him.

I have considered several times putting him in school... My biggest concerns are the atmosphere at school. I don't want him being exposed to the things I was at his age. And that homework will be just as much of a fight only he'll be tired from being at school all day as well.

Originally Posted by Quiteria

It sounds like he might do best with more structure.

This is something I've thought as well. He tells be he gets bored doing the same thing every day but then he doesn't like when we do something different. A new expectation is hard for him to handle. The other issue is that I am very go with the flow. I think our personalities clash often.