WEEK IN THE LIFE HOME EDUCATING IN THE UK - UNSCHOOLING FAMILY OF 5

We are a family of 5 home educating 3 boys aged 1, 4 and 8 in the UK.
Giving an insight into what it's like to home educate, documenting our journey, showing bits and pieces with an inside perspective.
We take a casual, child-led approach similar to unschooling but we are still finding our feet, experimenting with what works for us and figuring this whole thing out.
Don't follow for expertise because we don't have any. We're fully winging it.

[@TheFamilyPeas]

What a great video 🙂. We love home educating and would never go back to the school system now x

[@jemima4242]

I want to get my kids out of the school system & have all these fears! 😣 Thanks for your videos, I don't know if I'm brave enough!? Xx

[@melissawilliams5394]

I use to think homeschoolers were weird aswell lol! Even though i dont think i met any either. Its a stereotype that hopefully all these lovely videos will break.

[@athomewiththeabbeys]

Haha I think everyone has that sort of stereotype don’t they! It’s definitely made me rethink so many preconceptions I had about all sorts. Thanks so much 🥰 I do hope so!

[@bumblebeebumblebee6790]

For someone who is just about to embark on this journey its great to hear you speak of the same worries and the same answers to these worries as i have 😅

[@athomewiththeabbeys]

oh wow, well a massive welcome to the world of home ed! :) i think we all have these worries, and i know i still have them almost every day, it's an emotional rollercoaster to say the least 😂 when are you official?!

[@nixiepink1661]

I really want to do home-schooling because its the only learning environment where I can actually work and put effort ): unfortunately my parents think its not reliable

[@athomewiththeabbeys]

My parents aren't really on board either, to be honest! They made school the most important thing in my life when I was growing up so their views on it are very different to mine. But ultimately, my kids aren't theirs so although they can have their opinion it's not up to them to choose, and that's what I try to remember when they are planting those seeds of doubt or casting their judgment. I know that I've done enough research and know my kids well enough to know what I think is best. So, hopefully any of these thoughts can help you too!

[@thefamilyfootsteps]

Great video! We home educate our 4 year old which we love and may well be doing the same with our 11 year old. I’m just a little worried about blending their learning needs and interests, any tips for kids of different age ranges?

[@athomewiththeabbeys]

Thank you ☺️ to be honest I just go with them and what they want to do each day. They each have non-negotiable things they do every day such as a maths app, reading and my 8 year old is doing Spanish on Duolingo but other than that they just get on with life, I don’t direct their learning. They each have their own interests and have their own clubs they go to each week which helps them have a bit of independence. We also have social groups a couple of times a week at which they each have their own different friends. Then when they’re at home they’re mostly happy to play with each other or separately. I don’t have a structure or a set way of making sure each of them learns according to their age, if one of them asks a question we explore it until they’re satisfied and sometimes one of them will want to explore it in much more depth than the other so we go with it. Hopefully that’s a bit helpful although I realise I’ve not given you a set answer!

[@thefamilyfootsteps]

@@athomewiththeabbeys thanks! No I get what your saying and it’s seems like the easiest approach 👍🏽

[@Kirsty-xw3rm]

Do you have to give a report to you LA on what they're doing learning wise?

[@athomewiththeabbeys]

Once you deregister, the LA get in touch to see what provisions you're providing and to ensure you're providing a suitable education. Then they usually make contact once a year to see how your child has "progressed" during that year, which is in the form of a report. But, you don't have to follow a curriculum or anything just as long as it's an age and developementally appropriate education. Hope that helps!

[@2littlemissesandme166]

Where’s the bike trail please?

[@athomewiththeabbeys]

It’s a mountain bike park in Stourport, Worcestershire 🙂