My family loves a good game - which is just as well, really, as our entertainment options are fairly limited right now! It's a hobby my husband and I enjoy, so I guess it's been natural to pass this down to our kids. We've been playing board games and card games with them ever since they were … [Read more...] about 25 FAMILY GAMES (THAT EVEN GROWN-UPS WILL ENJOY)
Education
Education is a hugely broad term for one of the main things we do with and for our children - whether at school, home or both. Here are some thoughts and tips on engaging with this aspect of our children's lives.
A BOOK TO ENCOURAGE OUR CHILDREN WHEN THEY ‘FAIL’
Here in the UK, we're coming to the end of our school year - some of you may have already finished, while others of us have another week to go (roll on, July 19th!). I wonder how the last year has gone for your kids? Did they work hard? Exceed expectations? Cement some fabulous friendships? … [Read more...] about A BOOK TO ENCOURAGE OUR CHILDREN WHEN THEY ‘FAIL’
SHOULD I HOME EDUCATE? 6: CONCLUDING THOUGHTS FROM A CONVENTIONAL SCHOOL MUM
Wow. If you haven't read this week's Home Ed stories, please find a moment to grab a cuppa and go through them. They're such a diverse bunch of stories, and it was my pleasure to commission and edit them. As I did so, I found my preconceptions hugely challenged - and maybe you will too. I … [Read more...] about SHOULD I HOME EDUCATE? 6: CONCLUDING THOUGHTS FROM A CONVENTIONAL SCHOOL MUM
SHOULD I HOME EDUCATE? 5: THE INDIVIDUALISED HOME EDUCATOR
In all the stories I've shared so far this week (click here to start with the first), home education is done as a family, for all children in the home. But what happens when just one of your children is struggling with mainstream school, and the others are coping well? Becky tells us … [Read more...] about SHOULD I HOME EDUCATE? 5: THE INDIVIDUALISED HOME EDUCATOR
SHOULD I HOME EDUCATE? 4: THE RELUCTANT HOME EDUCATOR
Half-way through this series, and we've heard three very different stories of arriving at home education - Lizzie, who wanted to be able to try out different ideas for learning and play; Jenny, who didn't want to miss out on time with her children; and Louisa, who knew her son needed her undivided … [Read more...] about SHOULD I HOME EDUCATE? 4: THE RELUCTANT HOME EDUCATOR
SHOULD I HOME EDUCATE? 3: THE HOPEFUL HOME EDUCATOR
We've heard the story of Lizzie, who chose home education despite having worked in schools, and yesterday we heard Jenny's story of being converted to home education, having had her older four kids educated privately. But the question of 'Should I home educate?' takes on a new meaning when your … [Read more...] about SHOULD I HOME EDUCATE? 3: THE HOPEFUL HOME EDUCATOR
SHOULD I HOME EDUCATE? 2: THE CONVERTED HOME EDUCATOR
Yesterday Lizzie shared her story of starting out with home education. Today we hear from Jenny, who arrived at Home Ed later in her parenting journey. Alan and I have been married nearly 30 years and have six children. Our oldest four went to independent school from 3-18. They enjoyed the … [Read more...] about SHOULD I HOME EDUCATE? 2: THE CONVERTED HOME EDUCATOR
SHOULD I HOME EDUCATE? 1: THE OPEN-MINDED HOME EDUCATOR
Home education often gets a bad press in the media, so when THFF reader Emma suggested a blog on the subject, I jumped at the chance to put forward its advantages - as well as to be realistic about the challenges. Not being a home educator myself, I've enlisted the help of five wonderful women … [Read more...] about SHOULD I HOME EDUCATE? 1: THE OPEN-MINDED HOME EDUCATOR
TOP 5 QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN VISITING A PRIMARY SCHOOL
This Autumn, many of us will be visiting a primary/elementary school open day or three, trying to fathom where to send our little person next September. We may be wanting to know some good questions to ask while we're there. Perhaps you've already been. Maybe it's an easy choice or maybe there are … [Read more...] about TOP 5 QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN VISITING A PRIMARY SCHOOL