My son is constantly overstimulated, and school was just making it worse, so now we’re homeschooling. But honestly? It’s not any better. I wanted to have flexibility to adapt to what he needs.

He doesn’t listen to me, he argues about everything, and nothing gets done unless it’s something he picked and it’s easy for him. I keep telling him, he’s not going to learn anything that way but he doesn’t care. He just shrugs or walks off like I’m the crazy one.

Everyone keeps saying, age eight is so sweet because they’re still listening to adults. Really? That is not my experience. I feel like I’m constantly chasing him, and dealing with  his energy, and maybe this is just who he is. We had him evaluated and the report said he’s smart and there’s nothing wrong. Great. So it’s just me, then?

I’m a very flexible person but I don’t know what to do. Do I just let him do whatever he wants? I don’t know anyone else dealing with this. I’m overwhelmed and I know I’m  failing at this. What do other parents do? What did you do?

I am finally at a place where I can seriously plan to homeschool my son later this year. I have secured a good job where I can work remotely and my mom is nearby to help during the day.

But I need to convince his dad–we have 50/50 custody. Do you have any suggestions to help me get support on this with my ex-husband? He is an ISTJ.  And I’m an INFJ.

I want to homeschool both kids but I’m a single mom and I need to allow myself more flexibility to make $50K/year and still be there more for them since their father is gone.

One daughter is very creative and artistic, so I want to guide her to being a small business artist while the other one is more gifted in math and people stress her out. They are both still under 10. Does this sound like a plan that will work?

I am developing a niche homeschooling social network. Our goal is to accelerate the advent of homeschooling by connecting students, parents, educators, and traveling families worldwide. What are roadblocks you see to this sort of company? I’d appreciate hearing any advice, concerns, or desired features.

I know I can speak frankly with you since you’re not actually going to be reading this.  I found you through an internet search that went something like “what distance is too great lessons Suzuki drive”…for my six Suzuki Strings players with their myriad practices, private lessons, and group classes.

Sometimes, and especially as a musician knowing how insidiously vicarious living can hold sway in these decisions, I worry that I’m wasting time that could be better spent elsewhere or that my motives for pushing on are poor.  I was, therefore, cringing inwardly reading your post about same.

But, your unschooling philosophy also has flaws, as does your idea of channeling children away from extracurriculars that don’t fit their personality. That assumes a great deal of perspicacity on the part of the parent and seems against “delight directed learning” that unschoolers seem always to be promoting.

I also don’t believe children in general will have focus or discipline to keep at even areas of delight without training from an adult. Do children or adults even know themselves? It takes years and better personality tests.

In addition, there are some life skills that are necessary whether one is delighted by them or not – basic math, cleanliness, literacy, and (I would submit) religious training all come to mind.

Penelope, I’m rambling now. I’m going to close by thanking you once again for writing in an honest, open, approachable way about your opinions.