Are they really homeschooling?

[Anonymous]

I work from home, and my office is in the front part of the house, overlooking the street. About two months ago, a neighbor with six kids moved in, and the kids are all homeschooled.

They are outside ALL the time, literally from 10 am until I stop work to start cooking dinner. I wouldn't mind so much except they're very loud (there are six of them!) and it's rather distracting. The weather has been nice and I can't open my windows. Is there a nice way I can ask them to tone it down?

Then I started to wonder - are they really being homeschooled? I know that part's none of my business, really, but it's a little concerning.

Any input.

[Anonymous]

MYOB and turn on some music.

[Anonymous]

Noise canceling head phones or a call to the realtor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:MYOB and turn on some music.

Music doesn't block them out. My work is very detailed oriented and I've been doing it in silence here for 10 years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Noise canceling head phones or a call to the realtor.

Wait - so I should move because some other mother is irresponsible and quite likely breaking the law?

[Anonymous]

I have been told by a homeschooler that they can teach the material in an hour or two a day without all the other regular school filler. Many of them apparently use online resources. I work with someone who has a FT job and "homeschools" her child. The child is older. As far as I can tell, the child self-directs for an hour or two a day to complete online work, does some reading, and then just hangs out all day. This is a middle school age child.

BUT

It's none of your business and I don't really think you have a right to ask them to quiet down in the middle of the day. Maybe move to another location in the house or go to a public library.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have been told by a homeschooler that they can teach the material in an hour or two a day without all the other regular school filler. Many of them apparently use online resources. I work with someone who has a FT job and "homeschools" her child. The child is older. As far as I can tell, the child self-directs for an hour or two a day to complete online work, does some reading, and then just hangs out all day. This is a middle school age child.

BUT

It's none of your business and I don't really think you have a right to ask them to quiet down in the middle of the day. Maybe move to another location in the house or go to a public library.

Total bullshit, and I can't imagine why the state doesn't crack down on it.

[Anonymous]

Are you sure they are all outside together, all the time? Maybe she teaches them individually, and pulls one from the group at different times of the day.

As for the noise, I would say invest in some noise canceling headphones, or maybe move office to a different part of the house. Unless they are loud outside of 8am-7pm there is not much you can say, I agree that it's annoying tho.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have been told by a homeschooler that they can teach the material in an hour or two a day without all the other regular school filler. Many of them apparently use online resources. I work with someone who has a FT job and "homeschools" her child. The child is older. As far as I can tell, the child self-directs for an hour or two a day to complete online work, does some reading, and then just hangs out all day. This is a middle school age child.

BUT

It's none of your business and I don't really think you have a right to ask them to quiet down in the middle of the day. Maybe move to another location in the house or go to a public library.

Even if they're playing in my front yard and driveway? If they stayed in their lot, the noise wouldn't be so bad.

[Anonymous]

Are they in Virginia? In Virginia, there are no requirements for homeschooling. It could involve zero schooling.

Have you introduced yourself, brought over cookies? Are the children fed, safe? It might be worth contacting CPS if th children seem neglected.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are they in Virginia? In Virginia, there are no requirements for homeschooling. It could involve zero schooling.

Have you introduced yourself, brought over cookies? Are the children fed, safe? It might be worth contacting CPS if th children seem neglected.

Yes, Virginia.

We've met them, and the children seem fine, but I only have a two year old and don't really know anything about kids. I'd say they're neglected, but my standards are different.

[Anonymous]

How old are the kids? What do they appear to be doing while outside all day? Does it seem possible that the parents have an "outdoor classroom" approach to homeschooling or are the kids just running around playing & telling all day?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How old are the kids? What do they appear to be doing while outside all day? Does it seem possible that the parents have an "outdoor classroom" approach to homeschooling or are the kids just running around playing & telling all day?

I think they are 6-14, can't remember. Right now they are riding scooters up and down in front of my house and bouncing basketballs in my driveway.

I really don't want to switch rooms around!

[Anonymous]

You'll love this article OP - similar situation with houses that are extremely close together... lawsuits abound.
http://www.dallasnews.com/news/community-news/plano/headlines/20160115-side-yard-playhouse-at-center-of-plano-neighbors-dispute.ece

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How old are the kids? What do they appear to be doing while outside all day? Does it seem possible that the parents have an "outdoor classroom" approach to homeschooling or are the kids just running around playing & telling all day?

I think they are 6-14, can't remember. Right now they are riding scooters up and down in front of my house and bouncing basketballs in my driveway.

I really don't want to switch rooms around!

I think it is fine to ask them not to play on your property. Other than that, you have to deal with the fact that you live with neighbors. From what you have said, they are out during the day, not at 5 am in the morning or midnight.