In a world where conformity often takes precedence over individuality, the traditional classroom has become a symbol of rigidity. Children, with their boundless curiosity and unique learning styles, find themselves confined within four walls, subjected to a one-size-fits-all approach to education.
The Flaws of Conventional Education
Conventional education, with its standardised curriculum and fixed schedules, leaves little room for individuality. It presumes that every child learns at the same pace, in the same way, and on the same topics. This approach, while efficient for some, falls short in accommodating the vast diversity of talents, interests, emotional intelligence and cognitive development in children. Not all children are wired to thrive within the four walls of conventional education.
For me, as a mother, witnessing this stifling of individuality first hand was heart-wrenching. My sons, with their unique passions and learning styles, were being moulded into carbon copies of each other, forced to fit into a mould that didn't honour who they truly were.
I had a choice to make, to lock horns with the institution and spend each and every day advocating for my children to fit into a world that was not for healthy for them, or create a life where we could home school our boys and allow them to become who they were born to be, most importantly allow them the freedom to grow into happy and wholesome young men.
Every home schooling parent finds themselves at a cross road and it takes courage to actively take steps to create your own version of a healthy, happy home schooling adventure hand in hand with your family. To say the system is triggered (or certain people) are triggered by the decision to step outside of conventional schooling is a huge understatement. Through each negative experience as you peel away from conventional schooling you're reminded to stand in your own truth and make decisions that are best for your child so they have the ability to grow up in a wholesome, loving and nurturing environment that allows them to become their best selves.
Home Schooling: Liberating Individuality
Home schooling, on the other hand, recognises that children are not carbon copies of one another. It acknowledges their unique strengths and weaknesses, fostering an environment where each child can learn in their own way and at their own speed. The flexibility of home schooling allows for personalised education, tailored to the specific needs and passions of each child.
The whole world becomes their classroom, and they're no longer in a constant fight or flight to maintain their place in the pecking order academically or socially; they're free to be themselves. It can sometimes take a little while longer for the parent themselves to let go of and shake off the expectations of the school system, children are much more resilient but for many parents those thoughts, doubts are seeds planted by others or by your own inner child wondering if you in fact have made the right decision after all can take their toll.
In these moments you must take time to breathe and remember why you started.
The decision to home school is never made lightly. In many ways it is a rebellion against an education system that was failing to see the potential in your own children. It is a commitment to honouring their individuality and nurturing their love for learning in a way that traditional schooling couldn't. You're part of a whole generation of parents refusing to allow their child to be raised by a system whose values and ethics are completely at odds with your own, you're not alone.
Your home environment is the best way to inspire and ignite a natural love of learning, a deep understanding of emotional health and empathy, a trust and a faith in your child's own unique gifts and it guarantees that your child will not have to tolerate behaviours, relationships or situations all in the name of "being a good kid".
They become very good advocates for themselves and their needs through the behaviours modelled in their every day life and the home schooling groups you choose to participate in. It is a process that looks and feels different for every family, that is the way it is supposed to be.
The Freedom to Explore
Home schooling provides the freedom for children to explore their interests fully. Whether a child is passionate about astronomy, painting, mathematics, yoga, nutrition, plants or history, home schooling allows them to dive deep into their chosen subjects and find natural ways to blend their interests into opportunities for learning throughout their daily lives.
This freedom to explore their interests nurtures a love for learning that extends beyond textbooks and classroom routines. Home-schooled children often have the opportunity to go beyond the confines of traditional subjects. They can immerse themselves in practical skills, such as cooking, gardening, or woodworking, which not only enrich their knowledge but also equip them with real-life competencies much earlier in life because they're living in the real world from the moment they're removed from the system.
When your child is having fun they're learning, it is just that simple!
The Liberation of Time
The constraints of a conventional school schedule can be a significant hindrance to the pursuit of a well-rounded education. Home schooling liberates time, making it possible for children to delve into subjects and activities they are passionate about. This could include learning a musical instrument, engaging in sports, exploring the outdoors, or participating in community service all while the rest of the world is "in school" you can fill your days with experiences that align with your child and allow those nourishing night hours to be what they should be, cooking, food and family dinners around the dinner table.
Moreover, the lack of rigid school hours allows for family flexibility. Home schooling often brings families closer together, offering opportunities for parents and children to bond through shared learning experiences and adventures. You will be amazed at the amount of experience's hosted by fellow home schooling families in person, online and in group settings that all boost your child's confidence and deepen their love of learning and exploration.
Best of all, you learn to embrace the seasons and the natural flow of your families needs. The mornings are ever so slow ensuring the tempo of the day aligns with your needs. You also have the ability to remain fully present and connected with your child's emotional needs and that of your own because you're no long racing against a clock.
Nurturing a Love for Learning
One of the most remarkable outcomes of home schooling is the nurturing of a love for learning. With the freedom to explore, ask questions, and delve into their passions, children discover that education is not a chore but a journey of discovery. This love for learning becomes a lifelong asset, instilling in children the drive to seek knowledge, question, and explore the world around them.
Their emotional health and their wellbeing are the most important "topics" you will ever explore and this happens organically each and every day. They're able to articulate their needs because they feel safe, seen, valued, heard and loved. They're not surrounded by fear of judgement or bullying, they are free.
For many, breaking free from the classroom chains through home schooling is an act of rebellion against an education system that often stifles individuality and curiosity. It allows children to learn at their own pace, explore their interests, and develop a deep love for learning. The benefits of home schooling are vast, home-schooled children thrive socially, intellectually, and emotionally in ways that traditional schools often cannot offer, why? Because the real world is not something they need to 'prepare for', it is something they're living in each and every day.
Personally, this journey hasn't been without its challenges, but it has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. One of the harshest truths being that the people you think will support your decision to home school usually become the greatest opposers of your choice. You will outgrow a lot of situation and a lot of people when you start doing what is best for you.
The expectations you place on yourself regarding what home schooling should "look like" is a process of letting go one by one as you learn to trust and your intuition and rebellious spark. Eventually you will find your own north star, it will guide you back onto your path when you lose your way.
And if you're considering home schooling for your family, I urge you to trust your instincts, even if its for a reason or a season you will never regret this sacred time with your children. Believe in the power you possess to provide personalised education, you know your children better than anyone and you deserve this time with them.
One piece of advice I have offered countless times over the last seven years is this "If the only outcome you achieve on your home schooling journey is that your child / children are emotionally sound, meaning they possess a strong sense of self, self advocacy, confidence and have emotional intelligence, then you my friend have succeeded on your mission, there is no greater gift in life nor greater achievement than this".
Focus less on the "how" and more on the "why". Focus on embracing the freedom to explore, and nurture a love for learning in your children that will last a lifetime. Allowing your children to become each others greatest allies, and watch them truly become friends, waking up slow, building on your families values, expanding your circle and the endless possibilities for new experiences and friends.
The truth is, whether you're one week in or 7 years in to your home schooling journey like us, your own inner child will come through from time to time, your own fears and doubts may surface and that is perfectly ok. As with anything in life those seasons are an opportunity for personal growth and there isn't a more powerful "subject" you can explore with your children that that!
Together, we can break free from the classroom chains and build a brighter future for our children, one filled with freedom, individuality, and limitless potential.
Closing Poem: Embrace the Gift of Time
In the realm of home schooling, we find our place,
A journey of learning, at our own pace.
Breaking free from chains, we boldly stand,
In a world where conformity once had command.
Individuality reigns, as each child's unique spark,
Ignites a flame, lighting up the dark.
With freedom to explore, passions bloom,
In the vast expanse of a home schooling room.
No rigid schedules, no ticking clock,
Just precious moments, to learn and unlock.
In the embrace of family, we find our guide,
As we walk hand in hand, side by side.
Together we journey, through fields and streams,
In pursuit of knowledge, beyond our wildest dreams.
With each passing day, our bond grows strong,
As we navigate this path, where we belong.
So let us cherish, this gift of time,
With our children beside us, in rhythm and rhyme.
For in the world of home schooling, we're truly blessed,
To witness our children's growth, as they face each test.
With trust in our instincts, and love as our guide,
We'll continue to walk, side by side.
Embracing the freedom, this journey brings,
As we shape the future, with our wings.
So here's to home schooling, and the love we share,
As we nurture our children, with tender care.
For in the end, it's not just knowledge we impart,
But the love and connection, that fills the heart.
Rachel Proud
@BeWholesomeAu