Comparing Homeschooling Styles: a Child’s View
Sophie and I are strolling up to the village together, arm in arm. Sophie is chattering but my mind is a million miles away… until I hear her say, “Miranda does much more school work than we do.” “What do you mean?” “She knows every language.” “She can’t know every language. Which ones is she learning?” I ask. “French… Greek……
My ‘Bad’ Homeschooling Days
Some years ago I offended a friend. She was telling me about her bad homeschooling day. I should have offered some empathy but I didn’t. Before I could stop myself, I tactlessly suggested the problem might lie with the mother rather than her children. I regretted my words instantly when I saw my friend’s upset face. Later I returned with…
Sharing Jane Eyre
“The cinema is showing Jane Eyre,” says Imogen, her voice full of longing. “Would you and Charlotte like to see it?” I ask. A big smile spreads across Imogen’s face as she answers, “Yes, please!” “You could come with us!” adds Charlotte. I look at the girls’ eager faces. They really want me to go along and I think, “Why…
A Doctor’s Waiting Room Education
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.…
Planning the Next Term’s School Work in Half an Hour
Andy is sitting hunched over his computer. He has been there on and off for the past fortnight. Only one more week until the official start to the new school year and Andy is busy writing lesson plans for his primary school class. I don’t envy him. Homeschooling is so much easier. I don’t have to spend weeks planning work…
Learning From My Children
My children are always eager to learn. “Wow! That looks wonderful. Will you teach me to crochet too? Do you think I could make a blanket like yours?” They always seem willing to have a go. They don’t worry about the possibility of failing. But me? I’m an adult and I’ve learnt a few unfortunate adult habits. I do like to…
Homeschooling Heidi
“Can we have another chapter of Heidi, please Mum?” begs Sophie. It’s the third time I’ve been asked that question today. “If you make me a cup of coffee and get the book ready, I’ll be there in a minute.” The girls rush off. They can’t wait for another instalment of this story. I can’t wait either. I was ten years old…
How Younger Siblings Learn by Listening In
On Sunday Father S began his homily: “In Hamlet, it says, ‘To thine own self be true’.” Gemma-Rose dug me in the side and whispered loudly, her eyes wide with excitement, “Hamlet!” We are halfway through reading this Shakespeare play and Gemma-Rose couldn’t believe Father knew about Hamlet too. Later around the table, while we ate our Sunday cereal and…
How Children Learn According to Sophie
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.…
A Little Unobtrusive Help with Reading
Many years ago, I taught my first child Felicity to read so quickly and easily, I was sure I was a brilliant homeschooling mother. What was everyone else doing wrong? Teaching a child to read? Easy! Or so I thought. Then Duncan came along and the word ‘frustrated’ became part of my everyday vocabulary. He could remember the sounds of…
Reassessing
It’s the first day of the official school holidays so my husband Andy is home from school for two weeks. He’s looking forward to resting after his busy term teaching. He got his holiday off to a good start by sleeping in a little later…
Chores and Kids: What if We Said, “Yes”?
My most popular post ever is Getting Kids to Help With the Chores. After publishing it, readers flocked over to see what I’d written. Had I discovered the secret to having helpful and considerate children? Some readers were very skeptical when they read my words:…
Unschool: Experiencing Energy and Gravity
Do parents need to teach kids about such things as forces, gravity, density, heat conduction, friction, the seasons, energy, and life cycles? Or will…
Motivated to Learn
Did you ever hear my physics story? When I was in grade 11, we moved house, and so I had to go to a…
How to Get Children to Do Their ‘School Work’
I often hear parents chatting together about how they can’t get their kids to do their school work. What do they do? Keep pushing…
Warming My Homeschooling Heart
A couple of weeks ago, our family attended a party, one of those wonderful affairs with all aged children and adults milling around, chatting…
Becoming Brave and Gritty
This morning, I posted the following words on Instagram: Hello! It’s Monday morning here in Australia. I am thinking about the day ahead. Should…
When New Ideas Make Us Feel Uncomfortable
I’ve had times in my life when other people have presented me with new ideas and I haven’t wanted to know about them. I…
My Unschooling Podcast Adventure
Almost three years ago, I recorded my first podcast. For a few hours, I was very excited about what I’d produced. But then a…
Is Our Unschooling Life Rich Enough?
Some unschooling families seem to live very adventurous lives that make ours look rather ordinary. And I wonder: Is our life rich enough for…
What Do Unschoolers Do Each Day?
Is unschooling about staying in bed late, spending lazy days in the forest, and baking cookies? Or is there more to unschooling than that?…
Dealing with Our Fears and Other People’s Critical Comments
The other day my daughter Sophie received an email. She read part of it out to me and then said, “What do you think?”…
How Unschooling Is More Than Educating for a Secure Job
What do we want for our kids? A good education? If so, what does that look like? Do we want our kids to get…