I'm new to Mumsnet and just scrolling through looking for some advice for myself but noticed lots of conversations about home education and just wanted to add my thoughts and experiences on the off chance it helps someone else trying to make the decision.
I have a fairly big family and as an extended family group, we have tried full time school, full time home education and flexi-schooling (3 or 4 days in school - 1 or two out).
I initially decided to home ed after working in many mainstream schools (I'm not a teacher) where children and teenagers (and staff) were increasingly showing signs of extreme anxiety and stress but not receiving the support they needed. This was usually not the fault of the school staff, although some seemed to care less than others, but rather due to a lack of resources.
I knew no-one else in the home ed world but thought it would be a doddle.
I was wrong, it was anything but a doddle. It was however, the best thing I could have done for those children at that time and unfortunately, it's still the only option I can see for some people, including several of my own family members.
Home education (not schooling) is a world apart from traditional school education and is unique to each family.
For us, it meant taking a cut in our finances and choosing to take on roles that we had to stick to when we didn't always want to - so one of us the main breadwinner, one of us the home ed 'organiser' - although this changed a few times over the years, depending on circumstances and opportunities. It also meant however, cheaper holidays and days out in places we wouldn't have thought of before, creative learning ideas, the chance to allow them to learn in their own time and at their own pace and the chance for me to let them learn essential life skills such as money and time management, first aid, diy, cooking etc in a way that worked best for each individual child.
Online classes (in groups) are great, especially for academic subjects (often fairly cheap too) but for the 'in person' social side of things (the only option when we first started!) we joined up with other families in our area and pooled our ideas and resources as well as joining groups such as cubs, guides, dance, DofE, Arts Awards, bushcraft, book clubs at the library etc. Every area is different but there's usually something free or cheap on offer. There are usually local volunteering opportunities for families to do as a group or for (usually older) home ed children to do independently that are extremely valuable in terms of experience and confidence building.
At GCSE level, there are colleges that offer free Maths, English and sometimes Science to Elective Home Ed families or you can go for iGCSE's. One of ours will probably defer their GCSE's until college age. These are options we went for. There are other options that other people will know more about.
Of course, school can also work well and some children thrive in mainstream school. There are some awesome teaching staff out there and some great headteachers who are working their socks off trying to give their best all day every day.
I felt that I was taking a little of the load off our local school by not putting mine in but at the same time I missed having the support of a skilled teacher. There are however, lots of professional educators taking their own children out of school who are happy to join up with other families to collaborate on home ed projects or offer tuition.
Choosing Home ed is just like choosing which school you want. It's a lifestyle choice that needs to be taken seriously but all the info is out there. It's not always easy but then again, neither is school. Do your research and don't listen to people who know nothing about it or just go off the experiences of one or two families. What is good for them isn't necessarily good for you - and vice versa.
I don't claim to be an expert on any kind of education so I'm not going to give a professional opinion on anything but if anyone wants to know anything about my experiences I'm happy to answer.
Find advice from other parents on our Homeschool forum. You may also find our round up of the best online learning resources useful.
Home ed
Home Ed - my experience
Oldwomanlivesinashoe · 21/04/2023 13:38
Vonnytilly · 18/02/2024 11:44
Hi I’m really considering home educating my child but haven’t a clue about where to start and whether it would be a good idea ? She has anxiety and gets through school but I’m not sure it’s the best thing for her 👀
Mummabear310 · 24/02/2024 13:24
Jumping on the thread as seems fairly new. I’m seriously considering home education for my ds. Im worried I won’t be able to fill that gaps for him as I don’t drive . Any advice? Thanks
Mummabear310 · 25/02/2024 20:06
@homeeddingwitch thanks for replying. Ds is 6 not long been diagnosed with childhood anxiety. On pathway of adhd / autism referral. He worry’s about going to school that much he don’t sleep properly, physically makes himself sick as he just can’t cope and school won’t support as his “ fine with lots of encouragement “ I know for his mental health home education is the way forward but I’m worried I will get it wrong x
Mummabear310 · 25/02/2024 21:56
@homeeddingwitch Thank you so much! His just finished being physically sick again complaining of a bad belly ache and headache! He breaks my heart and this can’t continue because of a school environment! I know what I need to do for the best and once I get the hang of it I’m sure he will be happy and healthy soon xx
Backwiththeillbehaviour · 25/02/2024 21:57
Lovely post. Very much our situation also. DS is now taking his IGCSE'S. He has been HE'd since he was 7 due to bullying. He was violently attacked, so we decided to take the plunge and we haver never looked back.
Mummabear310 · 25/02/2024 22:36
@Backwiththeillbehaviour we need to do what’s right for our children at the time and it sounds like you and you DC have flourished with H.E ! I hope I have the power to achieve what you have, all the best for his IGSCE ‘s
@homeeddingwitch I know as his mum it’s heartbreaking to watch and see him go through this! Not anymore I won’t allow him to suffer. His calmed down on the sickness but currently stimming trying to regulate himself he only turnt 6 few days ago and he didn’t enjoy his day out at first but after all the encouragement we gave him and told him it was ok to be himself 💔 he ended up enjoying it but in reality this all boils down to school x
Mummabear310 · 27/02/2024 15:34
@homeeddingwitch
Dones a SARS report and de registered DS school have contacted me stating they now wish to do a referral for Early years help?
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