Such a wonderful read ✨🌿 I was lucky to go to schools where although the arts subjects were being squeezed, they were valued as part of the wider life of the school community. That said, the teaching and content of the lessons themselves was very traditional, academic if you like, with little room for creativity and personal expression. I think Mum would have liked to have home-educated, but Dad wasn’t keen because like most things in life, in his risk-averse way, he was worried about what everyone would think.
Oh and everyone would ‘think’ and feel very free to tell him he was doing the wrong thing. The big objection is lack of social oppotunities. I always had two answers to that. 1. If you home school you take on the responsbility to ensure your children have social opportunities and that is very easy to achieve. 2. There is an assumption that social opportunities in school are good experiences and that is not always the case. My premise for choosing a different pathway was that my children were not thriving. They were all different beings but none of them were thriving. School is one system so, by definition, it can’t fit all. You will get all of this, I am sure. x
Gosh your posts are so thought provoking and I’m sure we all have some similarities we can reflect on. I love your honesty. You have done amazing as have your children. Thank you x
Beautiful! 🤩 I’ve been homeschooling my children for 14 years—we’re nearly done. ✔️ one graduated and is a full time paramedic and he’s not even 20 yet. My twins are almost 18 and pursing various paths. Giving them space and freedom to create and be curious was definitely a blessing—but not easy all the time. At 45, I decided to give myself time for my own exploration. Now, at 50, I’m so grateful I did.
Hi Fiona, I really enjoyed this post and all you share! It reminded me of the days as a child when my Dad would take me with him delivering bolts of cloth around the country - I really hated school - and how much more of what I learned to love with him has stayed with me and is surfacing so much more recently. Hope you have an lovely day 🙂 Penn x
Oh I love that. Learning happens in all sorts of contexts. When I look back on my schooling there are very few good memories beyond sport which I loved. Sad isn't it? x
Yes, learning can happen anywhere and yes, sad about school as an off-putting experience! I used to bunk off school and go to the local library to read the books there. My best memory of school was a school trip to see castles, an abbey and a courtyard manor house in the part of Wales which is now my home 🙂 Penn x
If you were in my wee 'class' I would be encouraging history and literature. The fabulous thing about schooling your own children is that you can let them find their own way but also encourage early interests. Molly is always interested in animals and the natural world from before she could talk. x
My Dad told me about animals and plants and the land and rivers, and I used to play for hours on end in the garden making potions and make-believe. I’d have loved your wee ‘class’. Making my own ‘wee’ class now 🙂 x
An inspiring piece from the bottom to the top, Fiona. What an amazing opportunity you were able to gift your children and it's interesting to read where life took them - and you - also. The education system is baffling to me. I worked within it for 10+ years and never really understood it. Thanks for sharing this 🤍
Wow, just wow! I am awed by your journey, your strength, your decisions,your creative process, your whole life really - mine has been a series of disasters by comparison...but, hey, who's comparing? It is as it is xx
I have had my fair share of disasters as well, I am sure we all have. But my home education journey was mainly joyful. Even the school we used for Molly to sit her GCSEs was so supportive. We were very fortunate. x
Such a wonderful read ✨🌿 I was lucky to go to schools where although the arts subjects were being squeezed, they were valued as part of the wider life of the school community. That said, the teaching and content of the lessons themselves was very traditional, academic if you like, with little room for creativity and personal expression. I think Mum would have liked to have home-educated, but Dad wasn’t keen because like most things in life, in his risk-averse way, he was worried about what everyone would think.
Oh and everyone would ‘think’ and feel very free to tell him he was doing the wrong thing. The big objection is lack of social oppotunities. I always had two answers to that. 1. If you home school you take on the responsbility to ensure your children have social opportunities and that is very easy to achieve. 2. There is an assumption that social opportunities in school are good experiences and that is not always the case. My premise for choosing a different pathway was that my children were not thriving. They were all different beings but none of them were thriving. School is one system so, by definition, it can’t fit all. You will get all of this, I am sure. x
Absolutely, and I think it’s more than possible to seek the social opportunities which suit the individual too 🌱
Gosh your posts are so thought provoking and I’m sure we all have some similarities we can reflect on. I love your honesty. You have done amazing as have your children. Thank you x
Thank you lovely x
Thank you! What an amazing post. Love all of it☺️
Thank you lovely x
Beautiful! 🤩 I’ve been homeschooling my children for 14 years—we’re nearly done. ✔️ one graduated and is a full time paramedic and he’s not even 20 yet. My twins are almost 18 and pursing various paths. Giving them space and freedom to create and be curious was definitely a blessing—but not easy all the time. At 45, I decided to give myself time for my own exploration. Now, at 50, I’m so grateful I did.
very wise words. It takes a lot out of us doesn't it and I am not sure we are always aware of how much. I am 60 now so some time for me now. xx
Hi Fiona, I really enjoyed this post and all you share! It reminded me of the days as a child when my Dad would take me with him delivering bolts of cloth around the country - I really hated school - and how much more of what I learned to love with him has stayed with me and is surfacing so much more recently. Hope you have an lovely day 🙂 Penn x
Oh I love that. Learning happens in all sorts of contexts. When I look back on my schooling there are very few good memories beyond sport which I loved. Sad isn't it? x
Yes, learning can happen anywhere and yes, sad about school as an off-putting experience! I used to bunk off school and go to the local library to read the books there. My best memory of school was a school trip to see castles, an abbey and a courtyard manor house in the part of Wales which is now my home 🙂 Penn x
If you were in my wee 'class' I would be encouraging history and literature. The fabulous thing about schooling your own children is that you can let them find their own way but also encourage early interests. Molly is always interested in animals and the natural world from before she could talk. x
My Dad told me about animals and plants and the land and rivers, and I used to play for hours on end in the garden making potions and make-believe. I’d have loved your wee ‘class’. Making my own ‘wee’ class now 🙂 x
Perfect x
An inspiring piece from the bottom to the top, Fiona. What an amazing opportunity you were able to gift your children and it's interesting to read where life took them - and you - also. The education system is baffling to me. I worked within it for 10+ years and never really understood it. Thanks for sharing this 🤍
Thank you Amy. It took the best years of my adult life but then they were the best years! x
Wow, just wow! I am awed by your journey, your strength, your decisions,your creative process, your whole life really - mine has been a series of disasters by comparison...but, hey, who's comparing? It is as it is xx
I have had my fair share of disasters as well, I am sure we all have. But my home education journey was mainly joyful. Even the school we used for Molly to sit her GCSEs was so supportive. We were very fortunate. x
It sounds like it! My son would have really benefitted from it, but it wasn't feasible at the time🙂