I just got a call and visit from a DCF officer this morning. Stupidly (in retrospect), I talked. It was over my son being pinched. Yes, thumb + forefinger grab some skin and pinch. It was a punishment for continually dumping sand in my truck from his shoes. After many a verbal warning, he got a physical punishment. He says it left a bruise, but I'm pretty sure the bruise is from him climbing trees because it's not near where I pinched, and it's similar to other tree climbing bruises.
Regardless, his pre-Kindergarten school reported me apparently - without even talking to me about it first (another W for homeschooling) - and next thing I know CPS is calling saying they'll be at my house in 5 minutes. Which wasn't enough time to research how to handle the situation. From what little I've gleaned since, it appears that if I bar them, they could just assume the worst and take the child into protective custody (which leads to a judicial hearing w/in 24 hours). Let me reiterate - ALL FOR A PINCH. We regularly pinch each other in play fights and wrestling. But I'm sure he came in crying because he got in trouble, told a teacher I pinched him, and they went running to CPS/DCF.
From what I understand, if the school sees a mark, they're required to report it. Which is ironic given how many times we've picked him up with a busted lip or bumps and bruises and they're like "please sign the incident report; he 'walked into a door' (or something)." I'm just shell-shocked and caught completely off guard - I'm not an abusive parent. I spank from time to time as an elevated consequence, and I give thorough explanation of why the punishment is carried out.
Anon for obvious reasons. My diction probably makes me identifiable to the astute.
I redshirted my second so hard like seriously kinder at 7 ( late birthday I lucked out I know) redshirted. If you don't know what homeschooling looks like (I dont either) ease yourself into it by going the ugggghhhhh dreaded k12 route. I hate it I'm not doing it next year fuck you you can't make meeee. It's a lot of nonsense busy work maybe it's my fault since it's literally baby work and he's well past it but they keep bugging me sorry HARRASING me for vaccine records that I don't have and don't even need until he's in the 2nd grade when they do state testing. (Or third, I forget) But that could be an introductory route for you and the wife.
First kid went though a mix of public/ k12 type schools for the first few years until the sixth grade. You can get kids into sports through public schools while homeschooling it's just forms also programs like band just call you dept of edu and they'll act stupid but there are forms.
I was lied to and told my oldest couldn't get her GED at 16. Flat out lied to so we waited until she was 18 and everything's been fine.
You can make it on one income even if it's practically nothing it's just a matter of how much bullshit you're willing to put up with.
Tldr; Good luck, k12 sounds like your best option, there's always a way around something.
anon 1 points 1 day ago
Pre k . I made that mistake with the first kid.
I redshirted my second so hard like seriously kinder at 7 ( late birthday I lucked out I know) redshirted. If you don't know what homeschooling looks like (I dont either) ease yourself into it by going the ugggghhhhh dreaded k12 route. I hate it I'm not doing it next year fuck you you can't make meeee. It's a lot of nonsense busy work maybe it's my fault since it's literally baby work and he's well past it but they keep bugging me sorry HARRASING me for vaccine records that I don't have and don't even need until he's in the 2nd grade when they do state testing. (Or third, I forget) But that could be an introductory route for you and the wife.
First kid went though a mix of public/ k12 type schools for the first few years until the sixth grade. You can get kids into sports through public schools while homeschooling it's just forms also programs like band just call you dept of edu and they'll act stupid but there are forms.
I was lied to and told my oldest couldn't get her GED at 16. Flat out lied to so we waited until she was 18 and everything's been fine.
You can make it on one income even if it's practically nothing it's just a matter of how much bullshit you're willing to put up with.
Tldr; Good luck, k12 sounds like your best option, there's always a way around something.