To think home ed would be the best option?

[SchnitzelVonCrumb]

My son is 4 - due to start school in April at age 5 ( when most children start here )

He loves other children, thrives on social situations. We have a 3 year old and a new baby on the way.

My husband has been made redundant and we are currently in temporary accomodation while we look for a new job and house. We only have month left in this house.

We have been offered a job in an area we like but ultimately don't want to live in forever (say 3 years)

My son,at 5 has lived in 4 houses (granted 2 of those where under 1 so he won't remember) I really don't want him to have to change primary schools too many times. I hated changing schools as a child.

There is a great home ed group here I'm not too worried about socialisation. Do you think home ed then starting primary at 7-8 in our "final" location is the wise option?

He has also gone through a huge earthquake which resulted in the loss of our last house then temporary accommodation and soon another house - that's 3 houses in 3 months.

Sorry to hear about your troubles it sounds really tough

Kids are very resilient and flexible compared to most adults so don't worry whatever you do, with love and patience he will be fine with upheaval. Also three years is a long long time in kid world so it won't feel like the short term option to him that it does to you.

I'm a teacher and I could never home ed even with one child only. It's not the easy option by any means. Add into that a baby and another preschooler, I think you would be mad sorry unless of course you are experienced at home ed or can afford extra help at home.

I home Ed my 8 year old, and to be honest from what you've written it does sound like the more stable option.

But how do you feel about it? Is it something you want to do or feel you have to?

At our last house we lived 2 hours from the nearest school, I am mentally prepared to home ed although the reality may be different!

I just want stability for the poor wee lass however DH is saying he will cope fine at school

Sounds like a great idea!! Is the forever location in the same country?

With three under 6 at home full time I would pay for some household help if you can.

If you intend to start primary in the near future, I would keep an eye on the basics so he is not behind when he starts.

I disagree with the assumption that children are resilient and that things parents worry about do not occur to children. We live abroad in a transient expat community and I see it's impact on my children and others.

Socially, for you and the whole family, if you think the home ed community will give you what you need, then it could be a good move.

So he's due to start school next month, and you'll be moving and you'll be moving soon to an area you're planning to stay in for three years? I definitely wouldn't start him in school if he'll only be there a couple of months, so would probably see how it goes and maybe enrol him in the new area. Three years is half of primary so I wouldn't feel like that was chopping or changing too much.

I think I will put the 3 year old into preschool 2 days a week - hopefully that will be enough help? I might look into a cleaner but we are very rural and help is hard to come by.

Most likely not in the same country