© Beverley Paine

"It occurs to me that there must be other anxious children out there being homeschooled. Where do they go to be a part of a group of children?"

Often problems like this dissolve simply by homeschooling such children. At school the stress builds up until it causes chronic illnesses and problems. At home children tend to be less stressed as they have much more control over their environment. Improvements are generally seen even in the first week of homeschooling.

With group interaction the tendency among homeschoolers is to accompany their children, often sitting in the same room, or being close by, which children find reassuring. There is constant and attentive supervision without unnecessary interference - again allowing children to have a measure of control over their own activities and social interaction, but without the stress of knowing that they have to deal with everything on their own - help is close at hand if they need it.

I have found that I'm not the only parent taking care of my children in homeschool get togethers - other parents are equally mindful, ready to point out if my children look distressed or need help, or quickly intervening to comfort a child or offer help. Sometimes the parents hang back, allowing the child time to cope and manage, but watching carefully so as step in if indeed the child does need help.

It's a cooperative, rather than competitive, environment for children and that removes much of the stress that gives rise to the kind of anxiety your daughter is presently experiencing.

The downside to homeschooling groups is that in most cases parents need to be there with the children. Most of us don't mind this at all. The adults usually chat and the children play, or if there is an organised activity you'll find the adults getting involved and doing the activity too!