Homeschool or peace?

Question:3 of my kids are hs'd. I want to hs my 12 year old this year, too. Problem is, he goes to a private school in WI & stays with my parents. He's gone to this school since 4-K, and I've never been thrilled with it. He was diagnosed with Tourette's a few years ago & this year the school is pushing for him to go on Ritalin (even though his doctors have said it's not necessary). I'm sure he'd be better off at home being taught. The twist: I got married and moved to IN 2 years ago, which is why he's staying with my parents. Problem: our original agreement was for him to come down here during the summer (plus we go up to visit at least once a month). My mom reneged on the deal, bribing him with theme parks & camps to keep him up in WI. If I bring him down here permanently, I'm sure I'll end up in court with my mom (control freak). If I don't, I risk him getting drugged up by my mom and the school, who my mom thinks walks on water. What would you do?



Answers:
Well while things may get nasty with Mom he's still YOUR son and you need to do what's best for him. It seems like that's what you've been trying to do already.

Mom has to get her own life not manipulate you or your child.

If hubby is supportive and willing to stand in the gap for you - tell MOm it was OUR decision - than you need to go get him.
Im not a professional, and you might not even want to take advice from someone like me, but if i were you, i could want my child with me. I would want the best for him. If you go to court, all you have to say is what your saying here. Is that the school would drug him and it would ruin him, and your his mother so you have parental rights...good luck with everything.
oh my, he is your son and why did you let your son go to your parents in the beginning? now he definitely feels attached to them more than you, even though your mum is a control freak. hmm, if it was your mistake, i'ld take action by going there in person and claiming my son back. i'ld cancel the school he's going to and bring him to IN and homeschool him or put him in a private school there. did he have anything to say? what does he wish? does he prefer homeschooling or private school? as for the shifting place, tell your son that you got to do it--no choice. you don't want your mum to drug your son, right? and die young? since you're the mother, your responsibility is to take him and raise him up properly. if you made a mistake, you have to correct it, so no short cuts about it... ask your husband for advice and support in this. i wish you all the best :D
Go get your son. Your mom has no legal right to him. A Medical release is just so she can seek medical attention to him, not have parental rights. It was good of you to let him stay and finish the year, but now it's time for him to come home. your mom will get over it, or risk losing her grandchildren.
YOU have custody. It's YOUR decision. I'm not sure what legal leg your mother could possibly stand on.

What would I do? He's my child and I want him home. I'd have him come home.
Your mother has no legal standing, if what you have in your question is accurate, so it is fully within your rights as a parent to go get your child.

You say that she reneged on the agreement you had worked out. I'd say that the child ought to be with the parent when possible. Since you seem to be capable of raising children, and homeschooling them, I see no reason not to do so with your 12 yr old.

You can do a couple of things. One is, you can get with HSLDA, a legal defense organzation that helps it's members with legal issues surrounding homeschooling. I am not sure this even fits their profile, but IF you had some problem, I can only imagine your mother trying to say your son would be damaged by homeschooling. You have to be a member for them to help, but I think you can contact them with general quesitons (www.hslda.org).

As for the recommended drugs...if your doctors say it won't be effective, then this is another example of organized schools treating kids with drugs to make them fit in the mold of mass education. When you have a big class of folks, one that may be kinesthetic in learning style can be a big problem for a teacher to deal with...drugs make that problem go away...no matter what it does to the kid.

If it was me, I'd be on a plane to get my son, and bring him home. Time to do what's right for you son, and not worry about your mom. She had her chance at raising kids. Now it's your turn.

Good luck!
He is your child, you do what you need to do.
If the school wants him on Ritalin so badly your son must be acting out in class. If he is acting out in class it is probably not a good environment for him in the first place. He would probably thrive in a home learning environment.

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