I am feeling pretty down

[Boons]

I know I am fairly new- but you all have been so nice to me I felt you could all help out:)

This is about my oldest son who is 4. We homeschool him and he is extremely bright. Since we homeschool him and the weather has been bad and because at times I think he gets bored playing with his 1 yr. old brother I have been trying to find something extracurricular for him that he could call " his own" and that would be fun for him.

Well first I tried playgroups then the ones we were in fell apart as most of the kids went on to pre-school. Then I tried Gymboree but he wasn't much interested in that program because even though it's for 3 and 4 yr olds....all the kids were barely 3 so that was the wrong environment. He was bored Then we did a science course at the Y- nope, again he was bored b/c the pace was too slow and everything they were working on he already knew. Then I tried a tumbling class at the Y but it was in the evening and my son gets very irritable aruond 7-8pm right before he conks out for the night. So a night course would not work.

So anyway this leads me to now. Every thing I have checked into - littke kids karate, little kids soccer, everything is at NIGHT!!!! I can't find a single class that he could attend during the day hours once a week that will take a 4 yr old! I can't just do a day a week of pre-school because he's advanced beyond what all the schools I have worked at and known are doing by far . Plus. the ones here won't take a child for just one day a week.

So anyway I am just feeling a little bit down for him. I know once the weather warms up we can start w/ the park and the lake and what not where there are lot of activities and other children. I just feel bad for him b/c we keep trying out places that just " don't work" and then he gets upset when he doesn't go back- but then he's bored when he's there so it's a never ending cycle of despair!!.

Well, now I have rambled endlessly! Anyone have any advice?

[Amy]

How about story hour at a local library? Is there some sort of homeschool association in your area that could give you names of other homeschoolers? Maybe you could start your own playgroup.

I know what you mean about the weather. I had that down feeling yesterday when we stayed inthe house for the bulk of the day. It was depressing not having much to look forward to with the kids.

Hang in there, warmer days are just around the corner.

[Boons]

Thanks for the reply:)

Unfortunately the library by my house does story time for children " 1-2" then " 2-4" . Since my kids are split in those age groups- I can't take them to the same class and since I am a SAHM- I don't have anyone to watch the 1 yr. old while I take the 4 yr old to story time. I asked at the library if my 1 yr old could come ( he's 20 months) to the 2-4 class since he's shy and very quiet but they told me no :(


Anyway I just want spring to really be here! I think that would do all of us a world of difference!

Thanks :)

[MaryL]

Some parents use the "preschool" environment NOT for the academics...but for the social stimulation it provides. Is that what you feel your child needs?? I might look for a preschool that emphasizes play and exploration...for a short period each week. That way even if your child is "bored" with the academic activity that may be offered, he is receiving the benefits of the social company of the other children. How about swimming lessons at the "Y"? I agree with the Storytime at the Library idea. How about a ComputerTots program?? Maybe call a Gymnastics School to check on the availability of their classes. Also check out your local bookstores...often they will provide storytimes. I really do appreciate gifted and talented children, and value their uniqueness. However, I always try to remember that they are only "4" or "5" or whatever. And they need to socialize with children of the same age...even if they aren't learning something new to them at each moment. How long are you giving these programs???? Is your son saying that he is bored? Or is this an observation? I'm sure you are raising your gifted child to value his "gifts"....but to fit in with the rest of his peers. You're a great mom for being concerned for him! The most well adjusted "gifted" child that I am in contact with, knows that he is very bright...but doesn't flaunt it...never complains of being bored...and often challenges himself (drawing stories...building complex structures...arts and crafts...reading books...etc.).

[AnnW]

I never really put my kids in preschool for the academics..in fact I made a huge point of finding NON academic programs, I wanted them there for the social aspect.
What about homeschool groups?
I know here, soccer practices might be after school, but the games are usually saturday am.
Have you tried any churches mother's day out programs...they usually let you do one day a week.
Hang in there..spring will be here soon.

[Boons]

Originally posted by MaryL
Some parents use the "preschool" environment NOT for the academics...but for the social stimulation it provides. Is that what you feel your child needs?? I might look for a preschool that emphasizes play and exploration...for a short period each week. That way even if your child is "bored" with the academic activity that may be offered, he is receiving the benefits of the social company of the other children. How about swimming lessons at the "Y"? I agree with the Storytime at the Library idea. How about a ComputerTots program?? Maybe call a Gymnastics School to check on the availability of their classes. Also check out your local bookstores...often they will provide storytimes. I really do appreciate gifted and talented children, and value their uniqueness. However, I always try to remember that they are only "4" or "5" or whatever. And they need to socialize with children of the same age...even if they aren't learning something new to them at each moment. How long are you giving these programs???? Is your son saying that he is bored? Or is this an observation? I'm sure you are raising your gifted child to value his "gifts"....but to fit in with the rest of his peers. You're a great mom for being concerned for him! The most well adjusted "gifted" child that I am in contact with, knows that he is very bright...but doesn't flaunt it...never complains of being bored...and often challenges himself (drawing stories...building complex structures...arts and crafts...reading books...etc.).


Speaking for the social stimulation aspect- I feel he could use more than he currenly is getting. However, I do not feel that he needs to go more than once or twice a week - 2 hours at most- and there are zero programs around here that will take a child for only a day or two a week and that many hours. They all run on 3 or 5 day schedules and most of them are booked up for the rest of the academic yr. As for daycares- the ones that had openings I was not at all pleased with the centers. Where I live it's a very high populated area so the best ones fill up fast and stay booked ( long waiting lists) and the ones that you can get into are typically not the ones I would any of my kids to. Just not very well organized, clean places.


How long are we giving the programs? Typically 3 or 4 visits to each before we stopped. Yes, our son was saying he was bored. He told us up front on numerous occasions that he didn't want to go back because it was boring and he " already knew that stuff" ( his words). He was in some ways acting bored in class to the extent that he took to wandernig away to find other challenging things to do.. but he was only 3 then..he JUST turned 4.

Library- explained above. Swim classes sound like a wonderful idea! We were going to wait until this summer to enroll him in ones at our local pool- but right now I will take anything:)

I will also check into any Homeschooling Associations and MOMS groups.

Thanks everyone!

[Rae]

Just a couple more to add...since you're in a populated area, do you have an art center/museum? The one here has children's art classes, dance...maybe there's something there he'd like? Also, have you heard of kindermusic? My children never did it, but I know some parents who have and the kids loved it.

I'm sorry the library didn't work out..shame on them..mine would allow a younger one to stay with mom..they do all they can to encourage children to read. Do you have more than one library branch? They don't all have the same rules.

And yes, do check churches. There are lots of different programs...me & mom, mom's day out etc.
I hope you find something :)

[Mickey]

Have you looked for a homeschooling group for support and interaction in your area? When I was finding out about homeschooling, I did a search on it--I typed in "homeschooling +Nevada" (the state I live in) and up came a Nevada homeschoolers website. They post field trips (so if you are doing a unit on amphibians, you could join the group that's going to the lake on Thursday to look for frogs) and they also have an e-mail group so you can e-mail everyone when you are looking for someone to work with (you could meet with other parents who are working on the same things) or you could ask for suggestions about teaching materials, etc.

I'd also look for a MOPS (mothers of preschoolers) group...the kids are socializing in the childcare rooms while the mom's have discussions, listen to guest speakers and do a craft together (it's only about 2 hours long). You can find a group in your area here:
http://findlocation.com/MOPS/default.htm

[angie r]

Originally posted by Mickey
I'd also look for a MOPS (mothers of preschoolers) group...the kids are socializing in the childcare rooms while the mom's have discussions, listen to guest speakers and do a craft together (it's only about 2 hours long). You can find a group in your area here:
http://findlocation.com/MOPS/default.htm

I've been in MOPS for 3 years and I LOVE it!! My dk's 2 & 5 can't wait to get there either. It usually only runs through the school year and playgroups through the summer.

[Leigh]

At the childcare center where I work, we have an hourly room that it geared just for kids coming in on an hourly basis. That would be perfect for you rson if you could find an acceptable daycare in your area that does this. I hope something turns up for you soon. I am sure that it is very frusterating.

[MK]

In my area also our local state college has many classes for other groups besides kids training for a career. They have hobby classes for senior citizens and parent/child bonding classes for parents and children, and the rec. center has activity classes too-- arts/crafts, sports, games, etc. Do you have an indoor aquatic/pool center in your area to go to?

And, when all else fails, just for laughs, you can go to the mall and watch people. Have a social studies activity by watching people and trying to guess things about them: What they do for a living, where they are going, what they have in their shopping bag, are they happy? Sad? In a hurry? Tired? Lost? Are they tourists or locals? See how they interact with the people they are with, or even their own children. Are they courteous? Do they seem interested in each other? Are they listening politely or talking excitedly? Are the children squabbling or treating each other nicely? Are they obeying their parents or misbehaving?

Hang in there, Spring will spring up soon.