Homeschoolers-tell me if I'm insane

[LiteBrite]

No more advice, just encouragement. Keep seeking out your options, keep asking questions, and you're going to find your answer. Your son is lucky to have a mom like you, who cares enough to keep looking for a solution for him.

 

[swilphil]

No bounds have been overstepped here. Really, I do appreciate everyones input. I agree with the concern of him being home alone--he could find something else to do with his time that could get him into trouble. This is something I have to consider very carefully. I want learning to be positive for him to and am having a very hard time figuring out how to do that. What we've done so far hasn't worked. Homeschooling to me was appealing because he could learn at his own pace with me hopefully instilling a positive learning environment instead of him hearing how he's constantly disappointing his teachers and his parents by not turning in his homework. I also thought he could have some real learning experiences like using what he does love, guitar, hockey, snowboarding, music to get some credit and feel like he's doing something worthwhile.
Thank you all again. I'm still not sure what we're going to do but I love reading these responses to give me more food for thought. I'm also trying to find other schools in the area and am still considering a psychologist just so that he can have someone to spill his guts to.

It sounds like you have some valid concerns with your son. I know homeschooling works with many families, but you are the only one here that knows your son. Perhaps if you had started homeschooling him at a younger age, he would be able to handle staying home alone and getting his work done. With teens you never know what they are going to do. It could just be sleeping late, playing video games and watching tv. Or he could invite other kids over to your house during the school day, and some of those kids might be introducing him to unhealthy activities.

I would definitely look into other schools in the area. There are lots of great alternative schools out there, and many are part time. I also wonder if you are prepared to learn the high school level material so you can help him--Trig, Chemistry, computer science, and World History.

As far as him making up the classes he has failed, there's summer school, night school, and online classes. He should still be able to graduate with his class if he wants to work for it.