I Would Like to Share Why We Have Chosen To Homeschool but before you “JUDGE” my family I would like to let you know I love Charlie more than life itself and so does David. But sometimes we do not know our children are hurting as they do not talk to us.
Never in my life would I have thought Charlie Homeschooled. I never thought he would do what he did to lead us to Homeschool him. So let me share what happened and why we removed Charlie from Public School.
About two weeks ago Charlie was playing in his room by himself. David and I were sitting at the kitchen table talking. When Charlie walks into the front room with a Belt on around his neck, and David tells Charlie to get it off his neck immediately as he could die from it. Charlie says I do not care “I want to die”! I do not want to be here. I do not like you and your not my dad. I tried to talk to Charlie, and he says I am not listening to you your not my mom either.
Now we have heard these things multiple times in the past, but Charlie hadn’t tried to kill himself until that night. Now mind you he is 7 and will be 8 in December, and he might not hurt himself, but I didn’t want to take any chances. So the next morning I went and talked to the school counselor who spoke to Charlie.
Charlie told her he was playing Karate, and the belt slipped around his neck, but that isn’t what happened. So she said she could have him talk to a Grief Counselor but that she didn’t think there was anything to worry.
Although as a parent I wasn’t sure and didn’t want to take any chances. I got on the phone and called some places the school gave me, and one lady told me to take him to Cooks Children’s and let them know we needed to see a Psychiatrist, and they might keep him.
I sat her at my computer and cried and cried as I didn’t want them to take Charlie but I still knew he needed help. So I picked up the phone and called another place on my list, and they didn’t ask questions just made us an appointment for 10 am Tuesday morning.
Once David came home in from work I let him know the school wasn’t much help. But I had found a Counselor that would see Charlie. David volunteered to take off to go with us. So after David said that I knew he was just as scared as I was.
Charlie came home, and we told him about going and talking to the Counselor, and he says I will be better. I will not do it again. He was still getting angry for no reason and hitting the dogs and tearing things up. So I insisted we go ahead and visit the Counselor.
Which we all went to on Tuesday and we were able to meet with him. Charlie let him know of some of the things that had been happening with him. Before we left the Office, we all came to the Conclusion that Homeschooling Charlie was the safest and best choice for Charlie until we can get his anger under control.
Now, I am not saying he feels like killing himself because of David or I. Or because of the school but what I am saying is I love my son, and I want to help him, and so, for now, Homeschooling is the best solution and Counseling once a week.
If you have ever dealt with things like this, Please let me know as I could use all the tips I can get. Plus any websites I can visit and get help. I did join a Facebook group a Facebook runs, and it has helped some as there are other parents in there that have gone through some of the things I am going through and they can give me advice.
Plus I am new to Homeschooling and terrified I may or may not do the right things to help Charlie out. If you have any suggestions, I sure could use them. As I am overwhelmed and afraid I will not teach him the things he needs to know. I am so scared if Charlie returns to Public School I would have hindered Charlie in what I showed him, and it would put him behind.
Which I do not want to do as I love Charlie more than life itself and all I want to do is help him. But to be able to help him I need the help from anyone willing to help our family out.
Common warning signs for suicide include:
- Making suicidal statements.
- Being preoccupied with death in conversation, writing, or drawing.
- Giving away belongings.
- Withdrawing from friends and family.
- Having aggressive or hostile behavior.
It is important that you take all threats of suicide seriously and seek immediate treatment for your child or teenager. If you are a child or teen and have these feelings, talk with your parents, an adult friend, or your doctor right away to get some help.
- Neglecting personal appearance.
- Running away from home.
- Risk-taking behavior, such as reckless driving or being sexually promiscuous.
- A change in personality (such as from upbeat to quiet).
Suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts
Specific problems increase the chances of suicidal thoughts in children and teens. Other issues may trigger a suicide attempt.
- Problems that increase the chances of suicidal thoughts include having:
- Depression or another mental health problem, such as bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness) or schizophrenia.
- A parent with depression or substance abuse problems.
- Tried suicide before.
- A friend, peer, family member, or hero (such as a sports figure or musician) who recently attempted or committed suicide.
- A disruptive or abusive family life.
- A history of sexual abuse.
- A history of being bullied.
- Problems that may trigger a suicide attempt in children and teens include:
- Possession or purchase of a weapon, pills, or other means of inflicting self-harm.
- Drug or alcohol use problems.
- Witnessing the suicide of a family member.
- Problems at school, such as falling grades, disruptive behavior, or frequent absences.
- Loss of a parent or close family member through death or divorce.
- Legal or discipline problems.
- Withdrawing from others and keeping thoughts to themselves.
Depression
Signs of depression, which can lead to suicidal behavior, include:
- Feeling sad, empty, or tearful nearly every day.
- Loss of interest in activities they enjoyed in the past.
- Changes in eating and sleeping habits.
- The difficulty was thinking and concentrating.
- Complaints of continued boredom.
- Complaints of headaches, stomachaches, or fatigue with no actual physical problems.
- Expressions of guilt and not allowing anyone to give him or her praise or rewards.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an advisory on antidepressant medicines and the risk of suicide. Talk to your doctor about these possible side effects and the warning signs of death.
Take any mention of suicide seriously. If someone you know is threatening to commit suicide, get help right away. To learn more, see Suicidal Thoughts or Threats.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
