So...I have a son that is in 4th grade. He hates it. Hates school. Dreads it every day. He makes good grades and from outward appearances, does just fine (according to his teachers who we have consulted on the subject). Has lots of friends, does after school activities, etc.
But he hates school. Tears in his eyes every morning. His hatred of school is really only a part of a larger problem - he has some anxiety issues. He's been going to child psychologist since August (hasn't helped much) but she confirms that he has anxiety.
My wife wants to pull him out and home school him. I am pretty firmly against it.
Her logic is that she wants to do everything in her power for him to have a happy childhood and removing him from school eliminates one of the things that causes him anxiety (there are others). My position is mostly "removing him from school doesn't fix the anxiety - it just sends the message that if you don't want to do something, you don't have to do it". I told my wife that I think - as parents - our primary job is to prepare our kids for the real world. And the real world involves doing things you don't necessarily like to do and getting along with people, etc., but you have to learn how to deal with these things. That is a valuable skill. Pulling him out of school is the exact wrong thing to do IMHO. I am voting that we address the anxiety issues and the school problem eases.
I solicit the wisdom of Pelican.
