How it all began.....

     You know those moms who say they would NEVER homeschool, and that homeschoolers must be crazy?  Hi, that's me!  Don't get me wrong, I've never had anything against homeschooling, but it's not something that has ever interested me.  The self-discipline alone would be brutal.  But here I am, preparing to homeschool my youngest child, who will be in 5th grade next year.
     So how did I find myself here?  Well, it all started when my son was diagnosed with primary generalized epilepsy earlier this year.  We started the school year out like we normally do, and things seemed to be going okay, although he didn't seem to be getting quite into the swing of things as quickly as he usually did.  He's always been an honor roll student, and his grades weren't slipping, but he wasn't as focused as he had been.  When the seizures started, we found out why.  On top of the grand-mal seizures, he was also having absence seizures, or petit-mal seizures, which were likely affecting his memory and concentration.
  We tried to keep him in school at this point as we tested several medications, but it became obvious to me that school wasn't working for him at that time.  I pulled him out and began working with him at home, staying in constant contact with his teacher, the principal, and the guidance counselor.  We were assigned a homebound tutor as well, who came out a few afternoons a week.  This went on for months.  Once we found a medication that worked well for him, we sent him back to school on modified days.  Unfortunately, he had fallen behind, especially in math, and is still having trouble with focusing, memory, and concentration.  His grand-mal seizures have stopped, and the absence seizures have lessened, but to succeed he needs a lot of one-on-one help.  We are at a crossroads....continue working with him over the summer and hope he catches up and can keep up in 5th grade, or homeschool.  His teacher actually suggested homeschool.
   With homeschooling, he can take the breaks he needs.  We can focus on his problem areas.  He will have one-on-one.  He will have adequate rest, which is essential for people with epilepsy.  On the cons side, I don't have a teaching degree, I have an Associate's Degree in medical office work.  He will miss his friends and the experience of differing viewpoints and opportunities that I wouldn't necessarily consider.  Still, for now, I think his best chance lies in homeschooling, and so we are going to try.