Nervous about telling family and 'school friends'

[callmesophia]

I'm looking for a little advice from seasoned home edders please. I am deregistering my eight year old in a few days and we're really looking forward to our journey. I've spent actual years in limbo about this, researched and read as much as I can etc. We are really close to immediate family and I know they will not understand and possibly make annoying comments about home ed.

We have two older children who are staying in school (ages 12 and 14) but have given them the option should they feel differently going forward. We also have an 11 month old baby who won't be going to school.

What's the best way to tell them we are doing this? Do I go in with a couple of facts? Or just be quite "our kid, our choice" do you think?

Our family mean the world to us so I'm sure they will be supportive eventually. I'm just nervous.

TIA

I love that suggestion from overgrown toddler.
I haven't had chance to rtft but I will tonight.
I have listened to hefa pods on this and the new Zealand guy can't think right now very good pods.

I hope you have thick skin. My ex sil tried to go this route and her whole family were worried she was going mad, making comments about her intelligence, talking about her behind her back. Then her ex took her to court to get the child back in school. I felt quite bad for her.

The life Without School Podcast by Stark Raving Dad has an episode on what you are asking and he's a good listen. He's in New Zealand but his principles have led him on the same path.
Also the hefa podcasts cover it and they are also a good listen. They are UK and on Facebook too but I'm not so I only listen to the pods.
Even when you know you are on the path you want to be they are reaffirming.
The hefa one with Dr. Naomi Fisher is very good too.
There are some substack home ed writers which are a good read even if not your style.
Dr. Naomi Fisher writes some interesting pieces on substack.
I'm not an unschooler but I'm not against unschooling it's whatever suits you and your family.