How can I persuade our grandchlldren's dad to allow me to home-school their 2 children?

Hi! I and my brothers and sisters were home-schooled in our childhood. I also help to home-school our 2 grandchildren, Dawson - 9, and Mandy - 7, though not as much as I had been, because their parents put them in a Christian public school, the last 2 years. As there's less time to do so, because of their being at the school so long each day, in the school part of the year.

I see no need for their being in the Christian public school, and they are hyperactive, and so learn better with interactive teaching methods, as compared to the typical sitting and listening to a teacher talk - method which is how public schools do it for a large part of their time of teaching children. That's how it was for me when I was young - I was better able to learn in the more interactive style of teaching, as compared to the classroom method.

I've taught them both how to read, and make them read a chapter in their Bible story book every day I'm with them. I've also taught them math for their age levels. Their father doesn't understand why I don't spend more time teaching them though, as he's used to the classroom method and finds it hard to trust the home-school method, which requires much less class room (passive sitting - aloud instructions) type of time.

But his children are hyperactive, and he has difficulty understanding their need for more rest in between study times. And fails, i think - to see that passive sittting in a class - room style of teaching, doesn't really improve their ability to learn more than otherwise.

And unfortunately, their mom - our daughter divorced her good, Christian husband, this year. That alone is hard on children. They'd be better off in being always in a stable home situation, I think and with loving, trustworthy dad and grandparents around them if available, and we are. And they both don't like to go to school.

Hi! I and my brothers and sisters were home-schooled in our childhood. I also help to home-school our 2 grandchildren, Dawson - 9, and Mandy - 7, though not as much as I had been, because their parents put them in a Christian public school, the last 2 years. As there's less time to do so, because of their being at the school so long each day, in the school part of the year.

I see no need for their being in the Christian public school, and they are hyperactive, and so learn better with interactive teaching methods, as compared to the typical sitting and listening to a teacher talk - method which is how public schools do it for a large part of their time of teaching children. That's how it was for me when I was young - I was better able to learn in the more interactive style of teaching, as compared to the classroom method.

I've taught them both how to read, and make them read a chapter in their Bible story book every day I'm with them. I've also taught them math for their age levels. Their father doesn't understand why I don't spend more time teaching them though, as he's used to the classroom method and finds it hard to trust the home-school method, which requires much less class room (passive sitting - aloud instructions) type of time.

But his children are hyperactive, and he has difficulty understanding their need for more rest in between study times. And fails, i think - to see that passive sittting in a class - room style of teaching, doesn't really improve their ability to learn more than otherwise.

And unfortunately, their mom - our daughter divorced her good, Christian husband, this year. That alone is hard on children. They'd be better off in being always in a stable home situation, I think and with loving, trustworthy dad and grandparents around them if available, and we are. And they both don't like to go to school.

Forget about trying to convince the middle man. Go straight to the source. Just keep praying. God will get you and your family through this.

Hi! I and my brothers and sisters were home-schooled in our childhood. I also help to home-school our 2 grandchildren, Dawson - 9, and Mandy - 7, though not as much as I had been, because their parents put them in a Christian public school, the last 2 years. As there's less time to do so, because of their being at the school so long each day, in the school part of the year.

I see no need for their being in the Christian public school, and they are hyperactive, and so learn better with interactive teaching methods, as compared to the typical sitting and listening to a teacher talk - method which is how public schools do it for a large part of their time of teaching children. That's how it was for me when I was young - I was better able to learn in the more interactive style of teaching, as compared to the classroom method.

I've taught them both how to read, and make them read a chapter in their Bible story book every day I'm with them. I've also taught them math for their age levels. Their father doesn't understand why I don't spend more time teaching them though, as he's used to the classroom method and finds it hard to trust the home-school method, which requires much less class room (passive sitting - aloud instructions) type of time.

But his children are hyperactive, and he has difficulty understanding their need for more rest in between study times. And fails, i think - to see that passive sittting in a class - room style of teaching, doesn't really improve their ability to learn more than otherwise.

And unfortunately, their mom - our daughter divorced her good, Christian husband, this year. That alone is hard on children. They'd be better off in being always in a stable home situation, I think and with loving, trustworthy dad and grandparents around them if available, and we are. And they both don't like to go to school.

Hi! Thanks so much for your reply! Your advice sounds good! I have been praying about it daily, and will continue on doing so!

If it was me I would talk to ZNP, he has a lot of experience and wisdom to share.

I would build a case for homeschooling and peaceably, after prayer and fasting (like Esther), present it to him over his favorite dessert after his favorite meal, cooked and served with love.

I'll pray for you too. I've found that the best thing to do is ask God to change his mind if it is the Lord's will, on a consistent basis until God answers it.

My elderly father got it into his head one time to drive by car around the United States on his own. The guy is in his 80s, lol! And he is stubborn! He's also forgetful and leaves important things behind. The horror he puts me and my mother through when he does that! No amount of trying to beg and reason with him worked.

So I started to regularly pray for him that he changes his mind - to maybe have God put the fear him not go, lol!

And it worked! After about a year of praying everyday about it, he changed his mind!

So pray consistently that the father of those kids changes his mind until he does. I'll pray for him too! It probably won't take as long as for my stubborn father.

There is so much going on in your family's situation right now. My heart goes out to you & your husband & the grand kids & their dad.

I have some thoughts, but will have to come back to share later.
Prayers for you all.

I am looking at this from a point of view of a parent who started in public school but ultimately ended up pulling them out to homeschool, which has turned out to be one of the best things ever.

I'm speculating here just based on what I've read you share about this through various threads, and it seems like right now you all have a pretty good relationship with the father, and probably don't want to burn that bridge.

I've been thinking through a couple solutions ( prayer being first of course) and keep coming back to this idea.
Is there a subject in school where they are struggling? Perhaps during summer break dad would allow you to "tutor" (or basically homeschool these 1 or 2 subjects for each child) Maybe seeing how learning from home gives better learning and advancements in the short time of summer (while still enjoying summer break) would help him consider homeschooling for full time.

I am looking at this from a point of view of a parent

Their father doesn't understand why I don't spend more time teaching them though, as he's used to the classroom method and finds it hard to trust the home-school method, which requires much less class room (passive sitting - aloud instructions) type of time.

What you could do is design some demanding quizzes and tests and have them completed after coaching the kids. Then ask them to complete the tests on their own, after which you could show the results to their father. This would prove objectively that home schooling is in fact superior.

What you could do is design some demanding quizzes and tests and have them completed after coaching the kids. Then ask them to complete the tests on their own, after which you could show the results to their father. This would prove objectively that home schooling is in fact superior.

Hyperactive children Ive learned need babying that they did not get in their growing years 0-3

Not sure what the situation was at that age but if there was any trauma, divorce, separation, abandonment or neglect during that time that will affect ther subsequent development and they would not be ready for a classroom environment.

It is hard on teacher to give individual attention to hyperactive children and bad for the class. Smaller classes are better for these children who are essentially still toddlers in maturity. If they cant sit still. Its like dogs going to obedience school, they need to learn to STAY but this happens BEFORE school and dont when they are every young puppies using treats and rewards. You cant keep doing that in a classroom all the time for older children.

Children act up when they dont feel safe.

Hi! I and my brothers and sisters were home-schooled in our childhood. I also help to home-school our 2 grandchildren, Dawson - 9, and Mandy - 7, though not as much as I had been, because their parents put them in a Christian public school, the last 2 years. As there's less time to do so, because of their being at the school so long each day, in the school part of the year.

I see no need for their being in the Christian public school, and they are hyperactive, and so learn better with interactive teaching methods, as compared to the typical sitting and listening to a teacher talk - method which is how public schools do it for a large part of their time of teaching children. That's how it was for me when I was young - I was better able to learn in the more interactive style of teaching, as compared to the classroom method.

I've taught them both how to read, and make them read a chapter in their Bible story book every day I'm with them. I've also taught them math for their age levels. Their father doesn't understand why I don't spend more time teaching them though, as he's used to the classroom method and finds it hard to trust the home-school method, which requires much less class room (passive sitting - aloud instructions) type of time.

But his children are hyperactive, and he has difficulty understanding their need for more rest in between study times. And fails, i think - to see that passive sittting in a class - room style of teaching, doesn't really improve their ability to learn more than otherwise.

And unfortunately, their mom - our daughter divorced her good, Christian husband, this year. That alone is hard on children. They'd be better off in being always in a stable home situation, I think and with loving, trustworthy dad and grandparents around them if available, and we are. And they both don't like to go to school.

It's normal for some children, especially boys, to be somewhat hyper active. However, there are often direct causes of abnormal hyperactivity that can be avoided. Vaccines are often the culprit. They all contain adjuvants that can inflame the nervous system. They Mercury in them can also short circuit nerve pathways according to some experts in the field.

I've noticed the students that are most hyperactive eat sweetened cereal and junk foods frequently. I'm not judging your family members, I just think it might be helpful to be aware of common causes that might have simply solutions. The refined sugar, toxins, chemicals like food coloring and preservatives, food sensitivities are all common causes. These are things that the parents can consider when they see a flare up. Physicians are supposed to be the experts, but they normally Rx dangerous amphetamines to young children without regards to the causes of hyperactivity.

The Lord bless you for your hard work homeschooling and sacrificing to help your family.