The homeschooling rollercoaster

I wanted to take a moment to talk about homeschooling or home educating and the rollercoaster this can feel like at times. I hope that you, the mum or dad or guardian,  feel more confident after reading this, can shake off those worries and breath a sigh of relief . 

By default, kids go to school, you go back to work, or enjoy luxurious hours of free time...shopping, sitting in peaceful cafes...maybe even visiting that gym..but just like me, you too have chosen an alternative route, a route quite possibly full of ups, downs and roundabouts. 

Where it all begins

The home educating journey starts at different points for all of us, there are:

• Those who never registered children at school
• Those who had to make the decision of removing children from school
• Those who found they were given zero options but to home school

So we fall into the first category, 8 year old has never been to school, and 3 year old is very content at home so won't be attending either. 

Whatever point you're at, whether you've recently removed a 14 year old or have a 12 year who can't find a school place, there is one thing we all have in common, and that is doing what is best for our children. 

It can feel almost daunting and scary, knowing that you now have the responsibility to educate your child/ren. Why is this idea daunting? Simply because we, as a society, are so used to the concept of children attending school, and only the school being able to provide education, anything different feels almost impossible. However, you must take a step back and remember, 

• you taught your child to speak
• you taught them how to walk
• you toilet trained that being
• you taught him/her the difference between right and wrong
• you taught them how to use fork, how to dress themselves and when to say 'thank you'...

...so why can't you teach that very person how to add, read and create? The list of things we teach our children before they enter the schooling system is far too long to note, but you did all of that without teachers and classrooms, so you know you've got this! 

'I'm not a teacher'

If I collected a pound for every time someone said that, I would be a millionaire by now! I am not a teacher either, but that hasn't stopped me from educating and enjoying my kids. You don't need a formal qualification to tell you that you can or can't teach your children, you know you can, and do you know why? Because you are the one who knows this person (people) best, you know what makes them happy, what bring them joy, what diminishes their self esteem and what causes them endless worry. A teacher with zero idea cannot cater for a person, his/her method could be destructive for one child whilst it works for another. A school system is designed almost like a belt at a factory, the end result the teacher is looking at is league tables not each and every child, the children are being moved along this belt, the belt moves far too fast for teachers to pick up serious issues....it's not an easy system for all children, and I am certainly aware that teachers struggle far greater than they should. 

So back to your worry, you are not a teacher, no you're not, but you are free of the bounds of schooling. Therefore you have time, you have a safe place to offer and you have the know how of what that little person needs - If it means maths is at 8pm after hot chocolate, you can offer that, if it means creative writing only takes place in the car at a supermarket carpark, you got that too...because you and your little learner are free, and you are able to learn how and when you want. A school cannot offer that, and will never be able to offer that. 

Once again, you say but I am not a teacher...and once again I shall say, and you don't need to be a teacher. Confidence will come for both you and your learner once you start, and unbelievably you will be surprised by how much you do know and how much you learn! How you ask, let me walk you through my experience so far...my 8 year old loves maths...that's great I know, but for his mum mental arithmetic was never a strong point, so how is this good? Through using resources such as books and websites, I have discovered there are so many other ways of carrying out mental arithmetic calculations (not the one and only way I was taught at school), that to my surprise (it's so cool) I am sharper and faster with these calculations than I ever was! 

When you struggle, aren't sure, be honest. Being honest meant my son understood that it isn't a case of you learn everything in a few school years and then know it all. It also meant, we explored so many alternative ways of carrying out calculations, he was able to choose a method that works for him, and for once I actually understood basics maths like I should have (many many moons ago). It has been a win for both of us, but it's increased my sons confidence far more, because I haven't simply told him to pay more attention when he hasn't answered correctly, I haven't added a huge Red Cross and left it at that. 

The reality is, yes teachers gain training, degrees and work experience, but it doesn't mean they stroll into a classroom and teach all without a single textbook, they don't sit and mark each and every paper without checking the answers provided, and I know for certain, there were science questions my teachers never answered! 

The freedom

The freedom provided by home educating is amazing. You don't have to follow a rigid structure (unless you would like to). Lessons can take place anywhere, parks, art galleries, supermarkets...the list goes on. 

The freedom also means you can choose what works for you as a family. You might find a timetable works well, in that case go with that, you might find unschooling is the way for you or you might be somewhere in-between like us. We have certain subjects we do structurally, and others are taught through life lessons. 

You may also find following the national curriculum is the way to go, or like us, you might use a little bit here and there but not focus on following it to the dot. 

Resources

So you've taken the leap, and you're rearing to go, you've got a basket full online at Waterstones, one full on amazon and you're halfway through filling the WHSmith one....stop right there! 

I will part with some words of wisdom that I didn't pay attention to, do not buy every book mentioned, subscribe to every website with a good review and spend hours looking at office furniture in Ikea (albeit the last one is fun!)

Not every book will be used (so the office is now a storage full of unused books), some websites will be long forgotten and the pine modern desk might just sit in a corner collecting dust. 

If you've deregistered older child/ren, it can be easy, they might have liked some of the books used at school, and might want to continue with those. in that instance, that's all you need. If your children are young like mine, it really isn't wise to buy every book rated 5* and approved by someone in an educational department somewhere (that sounded super fancy at the time). You will need to find what works, if you see something that looks good, try to find a second hand copy (if I'm selling, you bet it's brand new!), or buy one book to try...it's very easy to think i'll purchase all 25 in the set in one go. All 25 designed to last the whole of primary school might not be wise, you may use one or even two but then discover something far better and the other 24/23 will gather dust. 

When it comes to a working area, kids are kind to let you know if they want a desk, chair, fancy lamp and some super cool paper weights. The idea is, it needs to be comfortable, so definitely ask before buying and allow them to test drive (yep, in Ikea!). It will be their working station so they are the ones who need to decide. Having said that, not all families use a space, and we certainly find the lounge floor to be our favourite spot. Once again, it is all about trial and error, and that is so so important, it doesn't mean you've got it wrong, it simply means you're working it out with your child/ren....nothing beats that.

The wobbles

All home educators or home schoolers will tell you they've had a wobble, I don't know how many is an average, but I'm guessing it's a high number. The reality is, you are doing something that quite possibly none of your family or friends have ever done, that alone can make one a little jittery with the decision. You must, at every wobble remember the reason why you are where you are. It is important to assess the situation, is it working? Are there problems? Sometimes, some children will go back to school, or start school much later, and there's nothing wrong with that, as long as it is the right decision for all. 

It is imperative to get to know the local home educating community, not only do you then have a sense of belonging, but the support is there for you when and if needed. 

Final thoughts

This was by no means a post based on years of evidence of how to do things, but a mere overview of things I believe are important to those starting on their home educating journey. Each and every journey is different, but each and every journey is special and full of adventure...so go have that adventure with the children, teach them how to laugh again, how to jump in muddy puddles and how to design artistic, expressive masterpieces....because at the end of the day, I know you've got this..

Feel free to leave a comment, thoughts or ask questions.