The 'Not Back to School' Wobbles

You might be in any number of situations right now.

Maybe you’re looking forward to another home ed year, excited about new opportunities and adapting to your kids’ changing needs.

Maybe you're starting out for the first time, full of hope and excitement - but a bit nervous too.

Or perhaps you’re doing this out of necessity rather than choice, unsure where to begin and feeling overwhelmed.

Whatever your situation, it’s completely normal to feel a mix of emotions, especially at this time of year - excitement, relief, worry, frustration, even sadness. It’s all normal.

My First Year Wobbles

I remember my first September of home ed very well. Without thinking, we went to the local playground on the afternoon of the first day of school and ran into a whole class of reception kids and their parents.

Up until that point, home ed had been something we were excited about as a family. But that day was the first time I felt like an ‘outsider.’ People were friendly enough, but they clearly wanted to connect with others in their child’s class.

I wasn’t prepared for how uneasy I’d feel, or how many doubts would start creeping in, even though I'd been genuinely happy about our decision before that.

A friend later told me that even though they’d been home educating for years, they still had a wobble in September, when it seemed like the whole country was talking about heading back to school. It’s surprisingly common, and doesn’t mean you’re making the wrong choice.

I don’t feel like that anymore, although the doubts do rear their head occasionally, as they always will. Just like the parents with kids in school who will sometimes doubt their choice. It’s a parent thing, not a home education/school thing. We all question our decisions sometimes!

What To Do About It.

If you find yourself feeling any of the above, here are a few things that can help at this time of year:

• Try to actively seek out in-person connection with at least one other home ed family. It really helps to speak to people who 'get it' and are going through the same thing. Most home ed families are incredibly welcoming and understand exactly what you’re going through.
• Get outside! September is a great month for being out and about. Take books, sketchpads and notebooks with you if you've planned in specific learning activities. Being outside is calming and good for everyone.
• Create a little family trip or ritual to celebrate the start of the home ed year. A trip to the beach, a meet up with friends, a special breakfast or a little gift such as a new book or pencil crayons.
• Search for ‘Not Back To School’ picnics and events - even camps. There are usually lots happening at this time of year - Facebook can be a great resource for this if you have joined your local group. There are also some brilliant home ed camps in September which can be a great way to kick off the year.
• Look for new organised home education events. September is a perfect time for museum visits - especially in the first week or two, before the school trips start rolling in! More and more places are offering workshops, exhibitions and discounts for home ed families so have a look at what's on in your local area.
• Go at your own pace. Whatever your approach, you don’t need to tackle everything at once - start with a few key things and grow from there. Enjoy this fresh start rather than rushing through it.