Interesting post. I started homeschooling soon after realizing it was taking us longer to get through homework than a whole home school day would take.
Plus, the teacher was pressuring us to put our son on Ritalin. I found lots of breaks and activity (like jumping on the trampoline) was what he needed.
It was a real challenge at first as we butted heads a lot. He refused to see me as teacher. Somehow he came to see the material as the teacher and I was more the monitor. His attitude out of public school became SO much better.
So, long story short, he went on to excel in college and is doing well in life 20 years later. His siblings all chose to homeschool. All have different styles - one prefers textbooks, one audio/visual and one does virtual school. I love how we can customize school to the kids.
You did great! And yes, a trampoline bout between subjects is awesome. And during some subjects. I too designed each homeschooled child’s curriculum to him. Some went deep, some did the minimum. And it is hard to “be the teacher.” Lots and lots of just reading aloud helps get it all started.
What pressure did the teacher use? I’d simply say ‘my kid gets regular pediatric appointments and beyond immunization records I choose not to share anything’. I have not (yet) been in your situation