What about: "That's just what my child requires". It's true, but does it sound uppity?

I think you found it, Cathy. That and a shrug hits the nail on the head. And who can argue with that?

Good on ya'!

I like Cathy A's line. Kriston, it doesn't sound uppity (and I'd know being good at uppity) but it sounds aggressive and might bring out the Negative Nellie's ire. My favorite all-purpose line is "It's all about fit between the child, the teacher and the environment." I've been able to use it about my child, other friend's children -- especially the "it's never going to be right" contingent, and children that I have taught. It puts the conversation into a blame-free zone.

Another thought I try to convey, that probably DOES sound uppity, but oh well....is something along the lines of "this brings school closer to where he is". It makes placement more of a compromise, where both groups (us and the school) need to give a little on our expectations. I think sometimes people need to realize that your child is like 5, 6, 7 or even more years ahead of his peers. I think they are most threatened by the idea of a child 1 year advanced....being accelerated one year. There are too many kids that are one year advanced, and these rarely need acceleration! But many of these families assume you are taking your "extreme" actions for a similar situation, and this would be extreme. Once they "get" that your child is really unusual, I've found they typically turn more accepting.

(I'm not talking about beating people upside the head with DS's IQ report, but rather a general change in things over years of being in this situation!!!)

I realize the above is very school centered, when Question's original post was how to address the new home schooling situation, so forgive me for changing the direction completely.

Obviously I don't know nothing about no home schooling!

I think that's a good point, Dottie. On those rare occasions when people see that DS6 is reading at the jr. high level and doing geometry, I can see their faces relax. It makes sense to them then that the standard school path without adaptation is not going to work well for him.

(And BTW, Cathy A. asked about a response for her grade-skipping child, so I think you're on task. It all amounts to much the same response anyway, since what people really want to know is "Why is your kid doing things differently from the norm?")

'Neato: I like the idea of "that's what works," but maybe more subtly stated?

Explain (said Spock.) I was trying to be unaggressive. Maybe I'm aggressive without meaning to be?

I think Aline was referring to what 'Neato said: "That's just what my child requires." She just misattributed it to me, and I think that muddied the water there.

I think she liked what you wrote: "I'm just trying to do the best I can for my kids."

Right, Aline?

That was my take too Kriston, but Cathy you gave me quite the laugh....how I would LOVE to demand IRL...


Thanks for the smile!

Yes, I'm finding Cathy A. to be very much to my taste, Dottie!

We'll get along famously, fellow Spockian!