The Choice Channel

Being a mom I want the best for my child as any good parent does. In 2004 she was going into the 10th grade when I was faced with the ugliness of public schools in NC. Unlike school when I was in high school where the only thing you had to worry about was getting your homework done and hope no one has the same shirt on as you do that day.

These days our children face metal detectors, temptation of drugs and personal attacks on a daily basis. Not only was my daughter scared but also she was bored out of her mind because the classes have to stop or be slowed down because of the bad behavior of her classmates. Let’s face it, keeping your mind on schoolwork when someone beside you has a weapon or is wanting to do bodily harm to you is asking a bit much. All of this on top of being a teenager at that.

I have raised my daughter alone with no child support so I knew a private school was out of the question for us. So, after talking things over with friends I did find out you can have teachers come to your home to school your child to finish the year out. I went to the school and told them I was going to take my child out of school for the rest of that year and they helped me set it up to where this could be done. This was a real eye opener because I was thinking about how many hours the schooling would take, but what was shocking was it turned out to be 3 to 4 hours a week. To keep your child up with the classes it was 3 to 4 hours a week. Unreal.

That just shows how much time is wasted each week in class. My daughter took the end of the year test and did the best she has ever done. The next year I wrote to Raleigh and got the paper work to home school her myself which we did for 11th and 12th grade.

I was worried she would miss out on the other things you get with school like parties and friendships and the prom, but none of that was missed and she stayed very well rounded. At the end of her 12th year I took her to a private school in Thomasville where she took a test and was 2nd highest of the class. She was able to have her prom and her cap and gown as she got her diploma and even made a speech.

I guess what this all comes down to is you do not have to have a hand full of money to do what is right by your child when it comes to a good education and them being safe and happy. All you really need is a willingness to pursue alternatives with the love in your heart that only a parent can provide.