Hello George! I am so glad you decided to share your journey with the FP family and reach out for some advice about your concerns. Let me say I am very sorry for the loss of your wife Jenny and I pray that God is keeping you and giving you comfort and guidance. I was asked by @kryptocoin to take a look at this post because I too am a homeschooling parent and we also refuse vaccinations.
I am not sure if you are still being targeted for refusing vaccines but if you are, as a guardian of your children you can fill out an exemption form (Department of Health Supplied Form) stating that you have religious beliefs or philosophical convictions opposed to them. It’s sad that they use scare tactics or threaten parents when they refuse them but you have every right to. Once you fill out this form keep a copy for yourself and give one to your family physicians office for their records. Also, it may take some searching for a doctor that doesn’t pressure you to vaccinate or ask you questions. We searched high and low and finally found a Christian doctor that we trust who believes these types of decisions belong in the hands of the parents. Another option would be seeking out a holistic doctor that encourages natural healing and won’t pressure you to give your kids shots of chemicals.
I see that @curlfamilyvlog nailed it on the head when she gave you the link to read about the Vermont HS laws as well as suggesting you become a member of HSLDA. I second that advice! Becoming a member will allow you to have access to legal advice and counsel and they will fight for you! However it is very IMPORTANT that you do your part. They can’t defend you if you don’t meet your state laws requirements. Record keeping is one of the most crucial things that you can do. You can claim to have been teaching your girls until you turn blue but if you don’t have any written evidence or records of it, it’s no use. Record everything that is educational so that you can meet the hours that your state requires you have in a given school year. You can record playing outside for P.E., Science when they are investigating rocks, Math when they go to the store with you to help you count out the change at the register, Home Economics when they help you in the kitchen, Life Skills as they learn to make up their beds and keep their rooms!!! I record everything that deals with learning and place it in a subject. Read over your state laws and get to know them!!! I’m not sure if your state requires you to register your school, but if it doesn’t I wouldn’t. When you register your HS it is in public records and anyone can find out that you are homeschooling. Our state doesn’t require this so we have never had to do that.
Another form of advice I can give to you is only share information about your HS to people you trust and to people who Support what you do. A lot of families are turned in by loved ones that think they are doing what’s best because they feel homeschooling is not the way to go. They don’t realize how much damage they do when they try to step in. There are only a handful of people in our lives that we share this information with, it’s all about protecting our children and being cautious.
I wish you the best and I hope you continue to get more advice and guidance from the HS community. Please let me know if you have any questions, I’m here to help. God Bless you and your little girls~ 😊
Hello crosheille ,
I am happy to see your comment,
For the vaccination, I have already gotten an exemption signed and documented, however I am yet to get a good doctor I can trust fully over here. Jenny's brother is a doctor but doesn't practice close to home, another state. Sincerely, I have not seen a doctor I can trust over here, but I am still in search.
You got a lot of things listed above, I will keep each and everyone of them to heart. I really appreciate your help, Crosheille. God bless you and your family in all divine and godly abundance!. --George
That’s good that you have an exemption signed and documented! I really hope you find the doctor that is good for your family.
It’s my pleasure :) I hope you continue to get the help you need and are able to make the best decisions for homeschooling.