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Home ed

Questions, questions..help!

3 replies

InYourDreams · 04/04/2016 12:36

We have researched home ed for months, done the pros and cons, we think we have come to the decision that in July we are taking ds and dd out of school. I think I am over thinking things and have got cold feet.
I'm a sahm, my ds may have ASD, we have been waiting for a diagnosis for 5 years! Its been complicated as in our county it takes 2 professionals to agree on a diagnosis and we don't have 2 professionals who can agree so in the mean time I feel my son is being let down. The school is good but he is behind on his school work and struggles in group work much preferring one 2 one. He also struggles with the change from school to holidays and back to school although he does like school.
I did say if I home ed my ds I would also home ed my dd so we could all benefit from the trips out, being outdoors etc. She is in reception now. We've had some issues with her refusing school as she says the work is hard. I personally think she she's being pushed too hard for a 4 year old with homework every week!

I haven't found a local group on yahoo and I cant join any groups on Facebook just yet as all the mummies at school will see and let the cat out of the bag! I haven't discussed home ed with the kids yet. We live in the Midlands.

My worries are the age gap (5 years), my 2 are always arguing! Is it possible?

How will I know what to teach? Or if I'm teaching enough? My ds is in year 5, should I be going into Pythagoras and types of nouns or keep it to topics they enjoy? I'm not the brainiest of people and was hoping to learn with the children too.

If I cant teach them to GSCE standards what then? Will they get into college or get a job with no qualifications?

If I need time to myself or for whatever reason need the children looking after, are there childminders available for home ed kids? I don't have family who can help.

Do you get approached in the week asking why your children are not in school?

Are there places to take home ed kids in the week (farms, etc), everywhere I look it seems to be catered for toddlers?

Thanks for your help!

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itsstillgood · 04/04/2016 15:39

Don't worry about the Facebook groups they are closed so no one will see what you post (and they don't show on groups you are a member of) unless they are a member.

Arguing - lots say that the more time together helps and arguing lessens, others say opposite. Try and see and make sure you try to allow them time to follow own interests.

Not all HE kids do GCSEs. Some do them at college. Some employ tutors either individually or as a group. Some go to school for them. There are ways and means. The if your oldest is only 10 then who knows what will happen in 5 years time the way education is going.

I have lots of friends in the HE community who will babysit if needed but if you need regular child care yes there are child minders who will take home educated children, there are many home educating childminders.

Yes we get asked all the time about 'no school today'. Mostly by shop assistants and people in the bus stop. Sometimes I give a short response often I'll chat. I have been home educating over 9 years and can count the negative reactions on my fingers. Curiosity is main reaction but lots of people like to tell me negative school stories and say good on you.

Loads of places to go, we're out more than in. Sometimes by ourselves but often at organised home ed group activities or with friends. I often book schools workshops at museums/farms etc for the local group, plus we use a hall, a couple of libraries and an adventure playground for regular meets. There are also activities such as bowling, ice skating, laser tag, climbing centres and trampoline parks where the group has negotiated special rates. Depends on your area of course.

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Mumstheword21 · 04/04/2016 16:08

Itstillgood has given you some great answers and an experience similar to mine, so I won't repeat anything there but will add the following:

  1. Joining your local FB group will alleviate many of your fears with regard to what is happening and the many ways in which is it possible to HE. Popping along to a local group/meet up during the next school hols will also provide you with so much info! There is LOADS going on in the Midlands and surrounding areas.


  1. There are LOTS of myths around exams and jobs mainly perpetuated by schools! and remember than only about half of schooled children actually get 5 A-C grades, with lots of schools also having a percentage of children who leave without a single GCSES (some do equivalent qualifications, but these are easily done at college, for example construction, sport etc...)despite having been in the system for what will now be 14 years. DS may decide to be a gardener, chef, swimming coach or whatever, in which case he may well take different route to employment...plenty of time to worry about that!


  1. People may also tell you all sorts about HEing with ASD - typical reponses from those who don't know and some 'professionals' include how they MUST be in school to socialise properly and have very strict routines...neither of which are not easily acheivable with HE if that happened to be what your particualr DS needed, however there are MANY children on the spectrum who are HE'd, mine included, and each has their own set of needs and personality.


Good luck!
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InYourDreams · 04/04/2016 20:33

Thanks for the advice. The more I talk to people that are or have home educated the better I feel.

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