I was a schooled child. I love that I am able to offer my children a free childhood where they have many more free choices and free will than I ever had. Even still, sometimes I get a panic. It could be something I’ve dreamt up myself or maybe I’ve been looking at too many perfect home pictures on social media, with children toiling over their workbooks in crisp, white, clean houses. I’ve posted a few of these types of pictures myself!

The frames of perfection that last about a miniute until someone knocks their cup over or treads on the dog. Someone who shouldn’t swears and a child grabs at another before my voice raises and then I spend the rest of the day feeling like the bad guy.

So, it’s not just you. I also stress over the kids, the house and homeschool. I stress over what we could be doing if we’re not…then I remember I’m following their lead. There is always a time for everything. Time to study or focus, time to cook time to rest etc, but when those times happen should be as flexible as we parents can comfortably bare!

We have been experimenting with a new flow to our home days the girls have really been enjoying themselves. I’ll go into what we’ve implemented in my next post but today I wanted to talk about what happens when the plans go out the window!

Children live & learn easily with the right amount of support & resources made available to them. This is where we parents need to ensure we’re present, ready & open to ideas. Kids just play & do and are – without any need for the label “Unschooled”.

As a parent I use the term frequently as a reminder to myself of our philosophy & what it is I hope to provide for my children. The label helps me to breathe & take stock during moments when I get the urge to force academics.

Today was to be a lighter day because we have a group this afternoon. We had planned to sew eggs to hang on the Easter tree. The girls woke up & immediately got into a film they had rented but hadn’t yet watched. I looked at the clock. I twitched a bit, feeling anxious about the time & what I would fit in to an already blocked out day.

The girls were discussing the certificate rating of films whilst considering the level of threat that might be present.

I sat down & started a bit of writing until rabbits were requested by all & we had to bunny proof the living room. The girls were busy advising each other on pet care.

Now they’ve all ventured off to a bedroom where I can hear Drawing Draws being slid out and pencils being passed around. The fashion designer books are out & they are all busy stencilling and snipping.

They are not milling around aimlessly, instead they are being creative. It’s early in the day. There will still be time for Read Alouds later on & my idea to check in with Ashleigh and help her plan out her baking aspirations for next week can be done later on. Our Sociology text book (a new interest we want to learn about together) can become a bedtime read today.

Undoubtedly the little girls will ask for tablets this afternoon after our group & they can while away some time on their maths & reading apps. I can & should relax any tension or doubt. I can have faith in myself and our choices.

I can have faith in my children.

I couldn’t prevent them learning if I tried.

© 2024 Juliette Proffitt