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Home ed

Find advice from other parents on our Homeschool forum. You may also find our round up of the best online learning resources useful.

Original poster

the brilliant things about home education.

124 replies

LetZygonsbeZygons · 06/03/2014 17:54

Ill start!

world book week. other threads on other sites on mn panicking/moaning about the dressup things for going into school. Phew! no more of that faff.

no more being called in cos DCs had a meltdown yet again (sn).

the dreaded schoolrun/parking/school gate mums.

being 'persuaded' to fork out your non existant cash to pay for trips/food/workshops etc etc.

bloody sports day.

assemblies and xmas plays which would all freak DC out.

being able to go places while all the other kids are at school so museums/parks/playplaces/libraries etc are not choc a block with noisy screaming sweaty kids.

ah, bliss.

anyone else? anything else?

OP posts:
Original poster
LetZygonsbeZygons · 06/03/2014 17:55

sorry forgot about the actual education!!!!

the peace and quiet DC can concentrate and take her time as she struggles, and not being forced to do the same as everyone else.
she can do more in a n hour than a whole week at school.

OP posts:
happyyonisleepyyoni · 06/03/2014 19:07

So you home ed because you can't be bothered to do the school run or other things that would be hassle for you, and your kids' education is an afterthought.

Lucky them.

Original poster
LetZygonsbeZygons · 06/03/2014 19:27

ermm. no.

We got nothing but hassle from school when DC was there, especially hassle for HER.

plus, maybe should have made myself clear even though was not expecting such a rude reply, that she cant cope in a school envioronment, never has and if Id have known I could HE id have done it since the beginning.

FWIW IM a qualified teacher.

thanks for that.
was actually going to START with the education side but started this thread after reading the woes from the book week stuff.

OP posts:
Original poster
LetZygonsbeZygons · 06/03/2014 19:31

and yes, DCs perfectly happy, maybe you should read the post properly.

OP posts:
lunar1 · 06/03/2014 19:32

So you think other peoples children are noisy, screaming and sweaty? That may apply to your children but doesn't to mine. Will you per passing on your negativity about others to your children during your HE.

Sparklysilversequins · 06/03/2014 19:34

That's not what she said at all happy Hmm. Not sure why you posted as the title clearly requests positive responses.

Unfortunately I have one dc in school and one HE (he has autism and was totally unable to function in MS education) so we don't get a lot of the advantages.

The ones we do have:-

No crowds when we go on trips, it's pretty great wandering round museums and galleries when they're practically empty.

Going to the cinema during the day together to see the superhero movies that we both love but dd loathes!

The chance to do sports and activities that we wouldn't otherwise be able to do because he wouldn't cope with loads of other kids there.

Seeing the Shock on the faces of professionals who were involved with him at school when they see how is thriving and being the happy articulate boy he could never be at school.

Original poster
LetZygonsbeZygons · 06/03/2014 19:36

Thanks sparkly that's exactly what this threads about!

and especially what you said about the last bit. exactly.

Seeing the shock on the faces of professionals who were involved with him at school when they see how is thriving and being the happy articulate boy he could never be at school.

OP posts:
Original poster
LetZygonsbeZygons · 06/03/2014 19:37

and maybe I should have been clear that DCs disabled and has severe learning difficulties and social problems!

OP posts:
VikingLady · 06/03/2014 19:42

You can spend more time with your kids!

No (or less if they go to groups) bullying

Gove is irrelevant!

Mrswellyboot · 06/03/2014 19:44

Good for you that your child is doing so well Flowers

I am a teacher and see the difficulties some children with SN face. It is a pity your child wasnt supported in school but he is lucky to have a qualified teacher as his parent. Good luck to you

EauRouge · 06/03/2014 19:46

No one's mentioned the cheap holidays yet? Shock

Original poster
LetZygonsbeZygons · 06/03/2014 19:49

Mrswell thanks. and to the others doing well.

yes, all in post are also the judgy looks and comments about DC as she cant control her meltdowns. not other kids faults of course, she couldn't cope in the envioronment. Infant school wasn't so bad as there were fewer people there but juniors was a nightmare.

and now her meltdowns are few and far between.

OP posts:
bobbysgirlfirst · 06/03/2014 20:58

Watching the sparkle return to your child's eyes and the skip in his step.
Watching them regain a love of learning.
Watching the return of self confidence and self belief.
Watching as they achieve far FAR beyond what was predicted of them in school.
Watching them run round fields all over the country, at gatherings with their friends in the sunshine.

and cheap sports activities and holidays!

ommmward · 06/03/2014 22:38

When some other little girls go all queen bee/wannabe around age 9 or 10, we can just quietly phase out the friendship without the non-queen bee child (mine) really sussing out the nature of the rejection that is going on, and replace it with more take-you-aS-I-find-you people. In school it would be a daily explicit rejection that could not be escaped until the end of primary, if then.

There really is nowhere else, apart from the army or prison, where you can find yourself totally locked into a toxic relationship like that.

TinkerbellTrains · 06/03/2014 23:01

An education tailored to MY child that I know he enjoys and thrives on.

The 1-1 teaching he gets which mean he completes in 20mins what would take a couple of hours (if not longer) in school. It also means less time on formal lessons and more time to play, be outdoors and just be.

Being able to walk around the zoo, museum, aquarium, play at the park/beach when it's practically empty.

Ds can wear his pink shoes & tinkebell costume and build his fairy house without worrying about what other kids might say to him. He can be himself.

The time. Not having to fit our lives around school. If we fancy dropping lessons for the day and heading off for the beach, we can.

Not having to sit at a desk. He pretty well with our formal lessons in the mornings but that's because he knows he only has to do a minimum of 20mins (per subject) and that we are free to do what we like in the afternoons. He would not cope well being made to sit in a classroom all day with limited breaks.

Socialisation. He loves being out and about and socialising with all ages, all backgrounds, all professions.

And yes, cheap holidays.

stilllearnin · 07/03/2014 12:47

Tinkerbell I love that your ds can dress as he likes and build his fairy house - how free!

PieceOfPaper · 07/03/2014 14:31

I don't often post, but having read through the other thread I'd like to join in with this and maybe encourage those who are new to HE, or who are considering it. (I'm not interested in getting into a debate, which is why I've posted here and not on the other thread, and why the things I'm posting here are deliberately pro- HE rather than anti-school.)

For me, the brilliant things about HE (or some of them!) are -

Being able to go at my children's own pace. We race through work that they find easy, take a break from things that they find difficult (and so far, they've always come back with more enthusiasm and have found a previously difficult bit much easier) and can take the time to focus on things that just need a bit more attention.

Being able to follow my children's interests, and learning things about topics that I'd never come across before.

Flexibility - being able to go for a walk, or to the park, when the weather is good, and being able to travel and see family and friends whether or not it's a school day. If we need a break then we can take one, and if we're interested in something then we can keep going, regardless of term times.

Giving my children plenty of time to play and be creative, alone, as siblings and with friends.

Being able to nurture and guide my children in all aspects of their lives, helping me to judge when they're ready for more responsibility and independence, and when they need more support and guidance.

morethanpotatoprints · 07/03/2014 16:35

Seeing them becoming more confident
Having freedom to do what you like when you like
Holidays in term time
Your own curriculum or not.
No SATs
No 9 -3
Ability to pursue their career without restrictions
Gove is irrelevant Grin
Teachers are irrelevant.
Schools are buildings where other peoples children visit daily.

Oh the list is endless.
Can you see we are loving H.ed?

Original poster
LetZygonsbeZygons · 07/03/2014 17:19

Not having to sit at a desk. He pretty well with our formal lessons in the mornings but that's because he knows he only has to do a minimum of 20mins (per subject) and that we are free to do what we like in the afternoons. He would not cope well being made to sit in a classroom all day with limited breaks.

My DCs got her school desk and has her limited time too. and exactly what you said too in afternoons.

OP posts:
Wineoclocksomewhere · 07/03/2014 17:35

Tinkerbell I love the sentiment re your DS and his dressing up but it makes me sad and angry in almost equal measures that this isn't encouraged more in schools (and in the world at large) themselves.

I really hate the fact that children can't be children, but are forced to be 'boys' and 'girls' with all of the stereotyping and subtle sexism and misogyny that goes with this.....

(Not wanting to derail the thread, just wanted to throw this in!)

Original poster
LetZygonsbeZygons · 07/03/2014 18:48

Not derailing at all, glad threads got back on trackafter initial misunderstandings!

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catnipkitty · 07/03/2014 18:53

Today my girls were reading most of the day in the garden in the sunshine. They have been reading about things they are interested in - sharks...Vikings...horses - not what someone thinks they should be learning about. They are still in the garden n the dark looking at the stars, full of energy smiling and laughing together. What a difference to the children I used to bring home from school who were wasted by Friday evenings and hardly had the energy to talk to me and could only fight with eachother.

Original poster
LetZygonsbeZygons · 07/03/2014 19:06

Took DC this morning to a coffee place, our Friday treat thing, she has a hot choc and a cookie and me my cappuccino, and we discuss the ways of the world, she loves it, feels grown up and a woman of the world, then I was teaching her social skills (being autistic its difficult for her) by handing the cash to the cashier, waiting for change, saying thank you, etc etc.

then sat in park while working on a project book and she could have a runabout too. bliss.

a happy calm child and a not harassed mum!

OP posts:
morethanpotatoprints · 07/03/2014 20:15

Ah, that sounds lovely and so chilled for your dd, I'm really happy for you.
It must be a lot easier than having to manage a situation at school that just wasn't working for you.

We didn't have any issues with school at all and dd was happy and doing well. The decision to H. ed was a really difficult one but now she is thriving and all her needs can be met which is the most important thing.

streakybacon · 08/03/2014 08:10

All of the above plus this which I posted on Thursday.

As well as his countless personal development successes, I have a happy and fulfilled teenager who is reaching his academic potential, despite school having dumped him on the scrap heap at age 9.