My first home ed graduate :-)

I am pleased to say that the stress of exams (IGCSE's) is now a distant memory. My darling daughter has survived and more to the point, so have her siblings and I!
It struck me the other day that actually the completion of these exams marks the end of our Home ed journey. My first guinea pig has crossed the line and survived unscathed (I like to think), the experiment of an education far from the norm. In September my beautiful and talented daughter will take her next step in the world towards her future career. As yet she is still undecided as to exactly what that next step will be (A levels or a vocational course at college). She is excited about the freedom and new skills she will gain and the fresh opportunities that she will be faced with.

Eleven years of home education has been a huge amount of fun. Of course there have been some ups and downs (more ups than downs thankfully!) it has been an amazing journey and one that in hindsight, I am eternally grateful that I took. It was a path unknown, a path barely trodden that over the past decade has become a true lifesaver and real option to so many. The home ed community is more than just a gathering of add balls, it's a family of people who share similar values and many differences. It's a real choice for those who for whatever reason decide that 'the system' is not for them. It's a fun existence, an existence of real courage and determination.

We were sitting out having a picnic along side a gated road earlier this week; a gathering of five families. We sheltered under the shade of the trees chatting, laughing and making merry whilst our young people happily created their own adventures of life in the wilds of the British countryside; paddling in the stream, catching crayfish, smothering each other in mud whilst reinforcing friendships and socialising. Two children came back that night to stay over; a house full of children, just how it should be. Sometimes sleepovers can be riots but this one worked well, it was peaceful and joyous. The boys took to the sofas whilst the girls slept out under the stars on the trampoline. They're so lucky to be able to live as children have in years gone by.

So as summer rolls into being we are enjoying the long lazy days. Work seems to rapidly be grinding to a halt; it seems silly not to take full advantage of the glorious weather that we have seen this week. Plans for short camping trips are in the pot. No long expeditions this year!

With talk of guinea pigs, I should finish with an introduction to our latest family addition. Meet April....



The little Lady has wanted piggies for the past two years or so and finally we have one. Little April is just 8 weeks old and came from a litter of three. Piggies are sociable creatures so we are hoping to find her a friend really soon but for now she is enjoying cuddles all around!

All change September.....SCHOOL

Arrr September!
Isn't it odd, the month changes and it seems that almost overnight the nights start drawing in and the start and finishes of each day seem to have a dewy crispiness about them.
Hello early autumn!

Life in our domain has experienced a rather significant change this week. The Little Lady has for the first time EVER, just started school. It's a shock to say the least! It all came about way back this time last year when I was in the depths of helping Miss P with her IGCSE studies and decided that I'd rather not go through all the stress  and torture that comes with the responsibility of educating your own (and that was with the help of tutors who provided most of the direction and input!) I just had that moment of thinking how much easier life would be if I handed over the responsibility to the state. Hmmm!
So we called up the school and arranged a viewing etc etc and here we are at the beginning of the term with the whole idea now a firm reality.

This is all very different........

Of course I went to school (in body) and so know how the system works, but this is a small school and I got a really good feel about it.

It's tricky when you know that there are very positive and fun alternatives..........

The beginning of the first week started off well. We were both enthusiastic about the change and embraced the idea of the opportunities that being part of an organisation/institution present. The realisation is a very different story. Suddenly the Little Lady and are are faced with early mornings and early nights. Turning your routine around is not easy, especially after the loveliness of the loooonngggg lazy summer days that we have become accustomed to. I could feel myself age rapidly as my body was rudely awoken from it's peaceful slumber to drive the 9 mile hike to reach the place.

We have to give this a go..........

The first few days were a novelty, a period of adjustment and finding your way. Then the reality of the situation sets in and you begin to question your decision and the reason why you have steered clear of this route for so long.

Why are we actually doing this?...........

We want to be educated right.....and make lots of friends........and have amazing opportunities.........and this is the way it's done.
Hmmm.....those of you who question the system as I do will know all too well that this is not the only way.
The comments flow....'This is boring......, I already know that......., why does it take 5 hour long lessons to learn how to use a Bunsen burner?'

The light bulb is on........questioning?????

Adventures in France

It's taken me while to get around to writing about our adventures in France as some of the events that took place were somewhat painful but I think I'm up to sharing now :-)

In hindsight our trip was probably a crazy idea. Three weeks in a foreign country in a family situation with a relatively new boyfriend was inevitably a recipe for potential disaster. As a parent it isn't the easiest thing to spend three weeks in such close proximity to your children so for an outsider....hmmm!
Life was so busy leading up to the trip that we didn't really discuss where we wanted to go or exactly what out expectations were.......

We travelled a lot.......

 



Visited vast numbers of Chateaus ........


 



And then, the inevitable.......we parted.........

I don't usually share my moments of upset with the world but events really blew me here. Dreams shattered in a heated moment.

In true 'me' style, after initial sobbing I was rescued. I am so grateful for the circle of love that surrounds me. This wonderful bunch were fantastic hosts for three nights.

I was permitted to find the hidden window. How symbolic to 'let the light in'.

Miraculously, I found the strength to carry on with our adventure......

We continued to visit amazing places......

To taste and feel the delights of France......

To marvel in awe....

To find romance in the ordinary......

I mastered driving on the wrong side.....and navigating French roads!

We laughed and played, we relaxed and had fun......

And then.......more tears!

Friends back home offered much needed support and guidance and the RAC rescued us and repatriated our lovely car and all of us safely back to the UK.

That moment of sheer relief when you return to familiar ground.

Home is definitely where my heart is <3 <3 <3 <3

2016..... where is the year going?

Helloooooooo!

Manic manic times and .......well.....just where exactly is the year going? Life just seems to be on the fast train at the moment and it's been in front of me the past few months and just out of reach.
Anyway, things are set to slow down. Suddenly it feels like the fast train has stopped at the station and I've got off the train....summer has arrived!!!

Miss P has been studying hard for the past year and has just completed three IGCSE's. I opted to have some amazing tutors to deliver the content and set the child on the right path and how flabby that has been. It hasn't reduced the stress levels at home all that much although things have been marginally easier than last year as I'm guessing we had a vague idea of what to expect. It has meant that from a totally selfish side, I have been able to say 'I'm afraid I have no idea, you'll have to ask your tutor'. Of course that has worked to some extent but I have still had to be on hand to listen to 30 odd physics formulae being learned by rote and a great number of 'rules of english' constantly being bombarded at me. One morning the teen even woke me up with her constant questioning....bleary eyed me sitting up in bed trying to work out where I.  It became dreadful towards the end, the teen would ask me seemly random questions of which I had no idea what-so-ever, only to be rewarded with 'I like that fact that I know more than you mum, it makes me feel clever!' Great!
Life has seen a lot of Miss P being escorted all around the county and myself and the others just killing time here and there, it's had its ups and downs but we've tried to make the best of our time at various different places.
Work has been tough too. Sqidging in the odd hour here and there to try and make ends meet, it's not been easy AT ALL.

All this work has had me question whether I really want to go down this route with the other two? The young man would rather dig holes and build dens than look at a book and the Little Lady has suddenly grown up and is quite resistant to work. I concluded that it has to be a no no and in my haste I registered her at school. I opted for a small local school thinking that it had to be the bast option and after all the effort I was offered my catchment school .....I didn't even list that one! To cut a very long story short, I decided to go to appeal. I have to point out that I had absolutely NO GROUNDS for appeal, I couldn't even fill out the appeal form, not because I am stupid but simply because I had NO case. So I decided to write a letter and send that. I researched the whole appeal thing and learnt very early on that my chances were virtually non existent. The school had adhered to the code of admissions and although I was going to the court of appeal (yes, it really is held in a court room), I would most certainly come out looking really rather stupid for appealing and not accepting the schools decision in the first instance. Well it didn't happen. For some strange, unknown reason the panel had absolutely no idea what they were doing and the schools representative had very limited information from the school, plus I seemed to totally have the upper hand and WON my appeal in the first round! Unbelievable!!
So now the reality of my actions has set in and the Little Lady is off to school in September. Still unsure if I've made the right choice but it will give me more time to work and to have one-on-one time with Small Boy who really could do with some undivided attention.
All this child centred mish mash has left very little time for the woman of a wildish disposition to do her own stuff. Creativity has virtually gone out of the window swamped by a world of work and commitment to others, but I have plans......

Today it feels truly like summer. I've had time to potter around the house and get some neglected jobs done and I'm almost on top of the ever increasing piles of work that seem to have taken over my little sewing room. I like it when I have moments of freedom, when I reach the end of the pile. Those are the times when I really live and appreciate life. Small Boy picked me some elderflowers today; a gentle reminder that it's that time of the year again. I seeped some in cold water and then this afternoon a second batch appeared. It was a relief that the scent was elderflower as I thought it was slightly reminiscent of cat pee! Those flowers are soaking overnight in what was boiling water and lemon juice. I'll add the sugar and citric acid tomorrow and enjoy the delicious flavour of elderflower cordial.

I've just booked my ferry crossing to France. We're heading off on a three week adventure with someone special this summer. It's out of my comfort zone travelling abroad but I'm excited about it; as are the children. I've also booked to go to a lovely family camp in Yorkshire. I am drawn to that area of the country; it's simple feel and beautiful rolling hills and sheep farms. So a summer of travelling and adventures ahead. Isn't that what life is all about?

A typical/non typical day in the life of our home schooled family

I am often asked what we do all day? When you say that you 'home school/home educate' is is often assumed and expected that 'school' is somehow replicated in the home environment.
Q visions of children working away at the kitchen table with mum scribbling complex equations on a white board. 
Wrong!
This sounds very idealistic and perhaps what some folk out there dream of and aspire to but in our household, this is certainly many miles away from the truth of what actually goes on.
So how does a typical day flow?
Well firstly there is no such thing in our world as a 'typical' day. No two days are the same, even the best plans never come to fruition!

Let's take today for example:

7.20 am alarm goes off, snooze button is hit!

7.45 am peel back the bed covers and enthusiastically call to the sleeping beauties that are still drifting in the land of nod!

8 am The first child emerges in the kitchen ready for breakfast, ten minutes later a second child joins the party.

8.50 am the third child rushes to get out of bed and dressed as we are about to leave the house! There's always one!

9 am We're in the car about to embark on our hour long journey into Oxford for Miss P's Environmental Management lesson.

9.45 am We arrive at the lesson 15 minutes early!

10 am We drop Miss P off  and venture off into Cowley centre in search of Lidl. Lidl is nowhere to be found so find selves wandering aimlessly around the shops in search of birthday gifts for family members. Passing elderly folk comment/talk among themselves about the fact that it should be school today! Note that The Little Lady has come out in 'normal' attire (her onesie!) which we are so used to seeing but recall that others won't see it in the same way!

11 am Sit in shopping centre car park trying to pick up wifi signal on Kindle in an attempt to have both children engage in maths lessons. Wifi works on phone but will only allow us to watch the lessons and not carry out the exercises. Decide to have an early lunch and head back to pick up Miss P who doesn't finish for over and hour.

11.45 am Return at lesson site to await Miss P and sit in the car reading 'Sky Hawk' by Jill Lewis, whilst children make cards for grandfather's belated birthday. Story captivates children's attention well. It's not long before we embark upon a sad scene. I struggle to hold back the tears and end up a blubbering mess struggling to get the words out!

12.30 pm We venture into lesson venue early and pick up wifi in order to complete maths questions. I note how the Boy becomes a writhing fish when any mention of 'work' is assimilated. He works his way through an entire yoga workout within the ten minute maths question period!

1 pm Miss P finishes her class and we head off to visit grandparents.

1.30 pm Catch up with news from Grandparents, children stimulated with sugar ridden food and chemical filled drinks (there goes my good intentions...), fill bags with endless magazines and old drawer finds before heading off.

3 pm Arrive back to sanctuary relieved that the days rush is over.

Rest of the afternoon and evening is spent....Miss P working through physics homework next to me on sewing room floor, The Little Lady catching up with her friend on the phone and then creating the most delicious baked cheesecake for pud and Small Boy initially creating a 'beehive' which he hopes will attract resident bees (he's even filled lined egg boxes with cling film and filled them with sugared water) and then.......well as I put him to bed I realise that he's been working away creating a 'man trap!' I have a full demonstration of how it works and which string operates which part of the trap. Gee whizz! So glad not to have been captured buy that one!

So you see, no formal sitting down stuff at all. The beauty of our days are flexibility and freedom :-)

I wonder what joys and challenges tomorrow will bring?

                         <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 XXXXXXXXX <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

Back in routine

It's funny, by the end of term like most, I sooo look forwards to the holidays; the break in the old routine. It's the change I suppose, a change is as good a break as any.

As always, the days and weeks literally whizzed by...how does time do that? We had very good intentions and plans at the beginning of the season but so much had to change as the weather dictated. So here we are, somehow we've arrived in September with a whole new academic year ahead of us.
September always seems like a new beginning; a time to step back and reassess what we're doing.

The children are growing up fast both physically and mentally. They definitely have 'hollow leg syndrome' like their father and myself. Spindly bean poles that eat like they've never been fed!

Miss P is embarking on three IGCSE's this year (English, Physics and Environmental Management), she took Geography earlier this year and passed (:-) :-) :-)) so one 'token for the future' in the bag. She currently rather fancies a course in Fashion Design at Banbury College (in two years time). They have the most incredible and well equipped design suit. I wouldn't mind going there myself!
The Little Lady is ten now and if in school would be in her final primary year! She wants to be a midwife when she grows up and continues to have a very keen interest in babies and dolls. I'm stepping up the work load which she has reluctantly agreed to!
Small boy having just turned eight, is happy just plodding along. He spends much of his time pottering about outside bothering (sometimes caring for) wildlife. He grows more like his father daily in every way :-)
Yes, I know I said previously that we work mainly autonomously! It's the beginning of term......this sequence of events happens at this time every year. We start off very focused with strong intentions and then we realise that it's okay to relax a little and that children don't have to be taught to learn!

On the family life front, I am pleased to announce that after two weeks of solitary confinement on Ditchley Island, I am finally free once more. Poor little Blueberry car decided to snap it's cam belt one Tuesday evening after a short afternoon trip to visit friends. After being abandoned on the drive jacked up for most of the duration with a plastic green house erected to protect my dear Dad from the elements whilst he worked; looked more like a crime scene than a garage scene, little Blueberry is up and running once more and was more than ready after her long rest to escort us faithfully once more on life's little adventures! Yeah to daddy!! And yeah to the lovely lady who gave me some money at the beginning of the Summer for emergencies (or for treats). Shame that I had to spend it all on the emergency!

So onwards and upwards into Autumn! We had an 'end of Summer' gathering earlier this week; one of those lovely sunny evenings with a shared meal and bonfire.....mmmmmm. I'm reluctant to leave Summer quite yet as it does seem our sunny days were rather limited but it seems we have no choice. The early mornings and late evenings definitely have that feel of crispiness. It won't be long before the coats are out and the heating is turned on, then there are log fires to enjoy and cosy nights in playing with the children, not forgetting those lovely blustery walks on windy days swishing the fallen leaves as you go. Oh I do love Autumn....in fact, I actually love all of the seasons, even Winter!

Happy Saturday to you all!! XXXXXXX

Educational overview

I often find myself at the scrutiny of others for the choices I make especially with regards to diet, child rearing  and the main one; educational practice. I don't go out of my way to go against the 'norm' but I do go with what I believe to be right.

I am often told that I must be mad wanting my children at home all the time. To be completely honest that may well be the case. Perhaps I am mad! It isn't the easy option but it is the one that works for us.

I've been home educating for nine years now. What started off as one child out of the system for a year or so has become three children full out! I can honestly say that apart from in those first few months when I was finding my feet, deciding what to do and an approach that worked for us. I really haven't looked back. Not at all :-)

I love having my children around, I rise to the challenge of stimulating them and providing for their needs and most of all, I relish the fact that I have the opportunity to educate them and expose them to so many wonderful opportunities that schools couldn't possibly provide.

We're all in total 'holiday mode' right now....late nights, late mornings, relaxed days.....arrr blissful wonders! Apart from the annual 'clear up' of the past years educational stuff (which is filed away just in case we should one day feel the need to look back). We do very little during the Summer, it's fabulous! Life at its best!

In those early days, I was quite structured in my approach to educating but these days apart from Miss P who has started working quite seriously towards 'exam stuff' we're really rather relaxed and tend to be more autonomous. I have to admit that many years back when I first heard about autonomous learning I was very slightly horrified at the thought. You see, 'autonomous' quite literally means allowing the child to find their own way. In those early days I wasn't at all confident and had to follow the traditional system of ridged subjects that I myself had been subjected to as a child. It didn't occur to me that it was possible for someone to learn without actually being taught. Over the years I've witnessed first hand how this autonomous approach actually (dare I say it?) 'works!'

I don't suppose I even considered an autonomous approach until my disaster of 2011. Understandably, following such a traumatic event my head was in no clear space to think about anything other than survival and getting through each day. This became the pattern for well over a year until such a time when I was once more emotionally available and in a strong enough place to consider the educational needs of the children. I am grateful for our togetherness at that time, we needed each other at a time where in reality no one else could really help. Amazingly enough, although we did very little 'school' work, the children didn't regress but actually progressed. They learned a lot about death (not so cool) but also about each other.

On my journey so far I have encountered many children who have been autonomously educated and......have gone to university! Yes, it's true....you don't have to go to school to make it to uni!

Last year I was fortunate enough to meet a lovely family with five children, all of whom were and are autonomously educated. They were amazing! Delightful children and a truly inspiring family. You can find out more about them here Christian Unschooling. 

Well after realizing that these children were actually okay and others I know who had traveled a similar path, I began to research the idea further. Last Summer everything seemed to be pointing towards an even more relaxed way of approaching learning. Structure was not welcome by my youngest two. They moaned and groaned when I suggested 'educational' activities and unless I (almost quite literally) tied them to the ground, they disappeared to escape the bore of the whole affair. I don't blame them. Can you imagine being forced to learn something that is of no real interest to you? We learn at our best when we are free to chose what we want. There is a 'right time' for most things; sometimes perhaps a little later than might be considered 'the norm' but nether the less if it is meant to be, it will.

This year at Hesfes; our wonderful home educators Summer festival, one of the many talks that took place was on the subject of autonomous education. I can honestly say that I was blown away and totally convinced by the approach. There on the stage sat around ten teenagers all very different in looks and all with a story to tell. One talked of a typical days as 'get up, play X box, go to bed'.....he's studying Physics and Economics at Uni and was incredibly funny, literate and intelligent and a totally charming and inspiring young man. Another young lady recalled the years her sister and her played with Sylvanian families probably way beyond the age that those exposed to peer pressure would use them as they lived in a remote area in France. Once again a knowledgeable and intelligent young lady. In fact, everyone of those young people very confidently sat there bombarded with questions and all very confidently answered. I felt so proud of each and every one of them :-)....does make you question the system!

Quote taken from The Natural Child Project:-
'Unschooling does not mean that parents can never teach anything to their children, or that children should learn about life entirely on their own without the help and guidance of their parents. Unschooling does not mean that parents give up active participation in the education and development of their children and simply hope that something good will happen. Finally, since many unschooling families have definite plans for college, unschooling does not even mean that children will never take a course in any kind of a school'.

Fresh outlook

It never ceases to amaze me how much we take for granted in  our daily lives; the things we have, the friends that surround us and our general feeling of safety and security.

We've just returned from our annual pilgrimage to HESFES our home ed festival which this year happened to be located in South Wales. There was much excitement in anticipation of this years festival as the site was literally located right next to a beautiful eight mile stretch of the softest sandiest beach you could imagine.
I work at the festival so intended to 'be there' regardless of the location, but many were drawn to the idea of the beach and the delights that brings. The event this year was an early sell out, however, no one could predicted the weather. I suppose I should be grateful in many ways; arrival day was perfect for tent pitching; the few days that followed were less impressive and to me more of a campers nightmare!

HOME

FOOD

Having looked at the forecast ahead of time, I thought I was well prepared for all eventualities; and in many ways I suppose I was. I remembered our wellies and raincoats, I even thought ahead and planned a 'cooking station' as my tent isn't really suitable for cooking in.

FRIENDS

The kids made willow lanterns which we carried around the site to the beat of drums.....

WARMTH

When you are there in the midst of things, you do the best you can under the circumstances. We wore our warm clothes many more times then we normally would. When the showers spit, go off mid flow and spurt freezing cold water at you, you learn that baby wipes work as a jolly decent alternative for washing your bits!
When you are freezing cold, you don't worry about what people think as you wander around in your rather funky odd hotch potch mix of clothing.
When you wake up in the morning and your tent is still standing, you are eternally grateful that you survived the night under shelter!

LEISURE

Final day 'tug of war'.

It wasn't all doom and gloom. We shared some wonderful time with friends and met some fantastic and truly inspiring people and we laughed and played as we always do. We went to the beach and felt the soft sand spill through our toes and the warm rays of sun on our skin; we even developed a warm glow to our faces!

Practicing circus skills 

FUNHesfes

What I realised upon our return home was how much we take things for granted. After the usual drudgery of unpacking and finding home again that concludes 'going away', we relaxed in our warm/hot bath and snuggled into our cosy beds happy (and fairly certain) in the knowledge that the shelter we call 'home' would still be there supporting us and protecting us in the morning :-)

Grubby feet!

Friendship :-)