We're Back!

Wow, after my first and only blog post, I have neglected our poor blog for several months! With the holiday period, traveling, some family upheaval etc we fell off the radar and are only starting to get back involved with our local social and support groups again now. It's good to be ''back!'' I've really enjoyed reconnecting with friends, as have Mr 4 and Ms 1.

We've had a tumultuous few months, alot has happened. Despite my first blog post where I was brimming with confidence about the decision to stay school-free, I found myself losing that confidence and beginning to re-consider school after all. Firstly because my ex partner wasn't very supportive of the idea of home ed in general, especially not natural/life/open learning, and the few times I had raised the discussion it had become quite heated. I didn't think I was up for the ''fight'' it may take to actually be able to go this route.

Also I received a few negative comments from well-meaning friends and family members. The positive reactions to our news were few, and I'm sure it's no coincidence those doubts got to me more when I hadn't caught up with other home ed families in a while! Without community, there's less inspiration, less encouragement, less affirmation, all those things that help self-belief and commitment flourish.

So in view of compromising with my ex partner (his first choice was a private Catholic school) we went and had a look around at a Steiner school in the area. I decided that if we *were* going to go the school route, I wanted for my children a school that would facililate a gentle transition for them, where they could perhaps start a few days a week, rather than the whole 5 day week most schools insist apon from the start. I wanted a school that could offer flexibility and as much freedom and independence as possible, one that promoted respectful, non-violent communication, and approached the child in a holistic way (eg recognised all her/his needs- emotional, physical, spiritual) as being valid and deserving of being nurtured. From the little reading I had done on Waldorf education, I had hope that this kind of school could offer those things. I was also drawn to the focus on using natural materials, and lots of open-ended activities and honouring the seasons and natural environment, as this alligns very much with our beliefs and home life.


The school was aesthetically beautiful, in a lovely bush setting with communal gardens and animals, and the teacher was pleasant, but intuitively I just knew that it wasn't for us. What they offered in kindergarten, in way of activities and materials, were all wholesome but very basic and limited compared to what Mr 4 is used to at home. Eg baking bread each day, wooden blocks, and beeswax crayons. They discouraged the use of computers and the viewing of tv (by children) and although they encouraged time outdoors, the play area was about the size of our yard, and the activities smaller/fewer still. I was hoping that perhaps they could offer rich and wonderful activities that I may not be able to offer at home, especially as a single parent with no car.

But visiting the school affirmed that we are already on the right path- and there's no need to fix something that isn't broken! I realised that Mr 4 does actually live a rich life, and our days are colourful and fun! Despite having no car, therefore being somewhat limited with bad weather or events that are too far away, we still go on outings most days, and as a matter of fact public transport has *opened* doors for us. We've had some interesting chats about what different road and bus safety signs say and mean, why some seats are modified for wheelchair access, counting money for our tickets etc, and we've practised courtesy and politeness many times a week purely through interactions with fellow passengers and the bus/train drivers.

I realised that the wonderful ideas that initially attracted me to Waldorf, I can still utilise and incorporate into our days at home. Unfortunately he will miss out on forming friendships and relationships with the lovely people at the Steiner school, but through our daily life together, he has formed the above with some wonderful people he may have missed out on getting to know had he been in school/preschool.

I realised that this is really the life I want for my children, they are safe, happy, secure and learning all the time in a variety of environments. So yes, this IS worth fighting for!

So, as I said, we've been back involved in groups again, reading books on natural learning, becoming inspired all over again. I broached the discussion with my ex partner once again in a relaxed way and invited him along to meet some fellow home ed families, and to my surprise he accepted the invite. I think meeting them, albeit briefly, his preconceived ideas/stereotypes have been challenged and he was pleasantly surprised. Not all home ed families are religious, not all are special needs, and not all have social difficulties, and not all are ''weirdos''. We're a diverse bunch, and I will quote another hom ed parent ''we each have our own brand of weirdness!'' Haha.

Feeling once again optimistic and excited about our life together, and about the fact that our local natural learners group is flourishing. I look forward to being part of a dynamic community, and for my children to have playmates that range in age and background. Hurrah!