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
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.
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
EYE CAN WRITE – REVIEW
You know my absolute favourite type of books? Those which are short and pack a punch. Short because...well, clearly, this exhausted mama doesn't have a lot of time to read, and who wants to be slogging on with the same book for months and months? War and Peace ain't gonna get finished in the next … [Read more...] about EYE CAN WRITE – REVIEW
ONLY 1 IN 4 GIRLS CALL THEMSELVES ‘HAPPY’ – SO WHAT ARE WE DOING WRONG?
I don't take a paper. I mean, I barely have time to read my own name on an envelope, so working through all the many articles contained in a broadsheet is a luxury belonging - for the moment, at least - to another existence, one where I'm not permanently covered in PVA glue. (Also - the Internet. … [Read more...] about ONLY 1 IN 4 GIRLS CALL THEMSELVES ‘HAPPY’ – SO WHAT ARE WE DOING WRONG?
CHOOSING A SCHOOL FOR AN ADOPTED CHILD (5 QUESTIONS TO ASK)
Blink, and three years will pass in an instant. I mean, while you know and I know that it's only actually been three minutes since our gorgeous 14-month-old boys moved into our family, the calendar (damn that thing - is it even a trustworthy article?) suggests it's actually been nearly three … [Read more...] about CHOOSING A SCHOOL FOR AN ADOPTED CHILD (5 QUESTIONS TO ASK)
END-OF-TERM TEACHER GIFTS: ARE THEY COMPULSORY?
It's that point of the year when we're all (figuratively, if not literally) crawling our kids to school, fingernails scraping the parched grass as we pant towards the finish line of next Friday. Of course, we're aware of just how much our children's teachers have done for them this last year, and … [Read more...] about END-OF-TERM TEACHER GIFTS: ARE THEY COMPULSORY?
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. (If it's secondary school, check out What questions should I ask a … [Read more...] about TOP 5 QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN VISITING A PRIMARY SCHOOL
WHY I’M (STILL) SENDING MY CHILD TO A SCHOOL IN SPECIAL MEASURES
A couple of years ago, I blogged about our reasons for sending our son, then 4, to a school which had been put in special measures. Two weeks ago, our daughter started at the same school, and I wanted to share with you why, two years on, we have no regrets about this decision. Positive … [Read more...] about WHY I’M (STILL) SENDING MY CHILD TO A SCHOOL IN SPECIAL MEASURES