DEAR HARRIETTE: My 10-year-old daughter not too long ago requested me if she could possibly be homeschooled, and her motive utterly broke my coronary heart. She informed me that she doesn’t have any mates in school.
She stated she’s uninterested in spending each recess and lunch interval alone, watching the opposite children snigger and play of their teams whereas she sits by herself. She made it clear that nobody is bullying her or being outright imply. In keeping with her, the opposite children aren’t inquisitive about the identical issues as her, and due to that, they don’t invite her to play or speak.
She stated it’s like she’s invisible, and that going to highschool every day makes her really feel unhappy and neglected.
It was arduous to listen to that, and I’ve been turning it over in my head ever since.
I don’t need to dismiss her emotions, and I would like her to know I take them critically. I additionally fear about taking her out of college too shortly. I’m torn between wanting to guard her from this disappointment and wanting to assist her work via it in a approach that builds resilience and social abilities.
Would homeschooling actually be the best choice, or is there one thing else I ought to strive first?
— Homeschool
DEAR HOMESCHOOL: Speak to your daughter’s trainer or the college’s steerage counselor about methods to combine her into social life there. Enroll her in extracurricular actions that she finds fascinating to spice up her social engagement. Think about shifting her to a different college earlier than bringing her residence.
If you happen to do resolve on homeschooling, be sure you have the time and endurance to show her. To be taught extra about methods to start homeschooling, go to hslda.org/publish/7-simple-steps-to-start-homeschooling.
Know, nonetheless, that even when you take this step, you’ll nonetheless must make each effort to search out methods to get your daughter to work together with children her personal age in order that she will be able to develop the social abilities she is going to want in life.
DEAR HARRIETTE: I volunteer at my native humane society each weekend, and over the previous a number of months, I’ve developed an actual reference to one of many cats there.
Her identify is Marbles, and he or she has been on the shelter for greater than a yr now. She has had a tough previous, and he or she is usually a bit aggressive at instances, particularly round strangers or loud noises, however there’s a deep disappointment in her eyes that breaks my coronary heart. Regardless of her powerful exterior, she’s actually opened as much as me, and I can inform she trusts me.
I actually need to undertake her, however my boyfriend is totally in opposition to having pets.
He says they’re an excessive amount of duty and mess and that it might make our condo really feel chaotic. We’ve talked about it a number of instances, and he hasn’t budged.
I perceive the place he’s coming from, however I can’t cease excited about Marbles and the way a lot she wants a steady residence and somebody who actually understands her. It seems like I’m abandoning her each time I depart.
I’m torn between respecting my relationship and doing what I really feel is correct for this cat who’s already been via a lot. Is there a strategy to make this work with out inflicting critical rigidity at residence?
— Love That Stray
DEAR LOVE THAT STRAY: As torn as you might be, it might be unfair to the cat to carry her into a house the place she isn’t welcome. The animal has already been traumatized by no matter occurred previously. The most effective you are able to do is love her if you find yourself there along with her and preserve your eyes open for somebody who could be the good particular person to take her residence.
Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founding father of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to assist individuals entry and activate their desires. You’ll be able to ship inquiries to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas Metropolis, MO 64106.
