Back in the days when I had two small, preschool-aged children, I used to dread the long summer. Throughout term-time we enjoyed a range of toddler groups and classes (like our wonderful Suzuki Music group), but when it came to the summer holidays, these all closed down. The friends who I'd … [Read more...] about 10 IDEAS FOR SURVIVING SUMMER WITH YOUNG CHILDREN
Family Life
Whether you're looking for support in parenting or marriage, education or homemaking, this is the page for you. Feel free to browse, and if there's something you'd like to see, don't hesitate to give me a shout!
100 FREE OR CHEAP SUMMER ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS
Summer's here, and the holidays are looming - which, if you're a parent of school-aged kids, means kiddoes everywhere, all the time - argh! Someone pass me the gin. Before you start with the sand and the shovel, though, I have good news for you: here are 100 free or cheap summer activities for … [Read more...] about 100 FREE OR CHEAP SUMMER ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS
HELPING CHILDREN CONNECT WITH GOD IN THEIR EVERYDAY EXPERIENCES
Have you ever had a heart-to-heart with your child and wondered how to encourage them to connect with God about it all? Do you sometimes find yourself giving your kids a pep talk, but feeling it's all just a little bit hollow? Would you like to offer your kids something more solid when they're … [Read more...] about HELPING CHILDREN CONNECT WITH GOD IN THEIR EVERYDAY EXPERIENCES
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