When I picked up School Isn’t For Everyone by Heidi Steel, I expected an encouraging and thought-provoking read about unschooling and home education — especially knowing that Naomi Fisher had written the foreword. What I didn’t expect was just how deeply parts of the book would resonate with me, particularly its compassionate approach to children,Continue reading “Can Children Really Learn Without School? Thoughts After Reading This Powerful Unschooling Book”
Tag Archives: family
The Surprising Side of Home Educating
What does “falling behind” actually look like in a child? We are now unschooling a nine-year-old and seven-year-old twins. As part of our parenting journey, we’ve grown to understand the importance of nurturing their intrinsic motivation rather than relying on praise or extrinsic rewards. Our aim is to keep their own sparks alive and avoidContinue reading “The Surprising Side of Home Educating”
When Endless Love Turns to Dust: A Parent’s Heartbreak Over Hobbycraft Glitter
It’s hard to put into words the kind of heartbreak that hits when you realise something you bought to bring your children joy could have put their health at risk. For years, Hobbycraft felt like a safe haven for creative parents — aisles of paints, paper, glitter, and glue promising endless possibilities. But what happensContinue reading “When Endless Love Turns to Dust: A Parent’s Heartbreak Over Hobbycraft Glitter”
Review of: Santa Claus The Movie Story Book
For parents and educators seeking festive books that capture the magic of Christmas without overwhelming or overstimulating young readers, “Santa Claus The Movie Story Book” offers a gentle journey into holiday cheer. Based on the beloved 1980s film, this storybook evokes nostalgia for grown-ups while opening the world of Santa, elves, and Christmas dreams toContinue reading “Review of: Santa Claus The Movie Story Book”
When Bedtime Becomes a Crying Ritual: What Every Parent Needs to Know
Bedtime has a way of revealing truths that stay hidden in the busyness of the day. For many parents, it’s the moment when a child’s unmet needs and deepest longings surface—not in words we can easily solve, but in tears that ask for closeness and reassurance. In my home, bedtime often means lingering at theContinue reading “When Bedtime Becomes a Crying Ritual: What Every Parent Needs to Know”
Three Little Whirlwinds and a Messy Home: Finding Peace in the Chaos
We often think of tidying as a skill that must be drilled into children—another responsibility for parents to enforce alongside table manners and bedtime routines. Yet what if tidying is less about constant reminders and more something absorbed through experience, modelling, and natural curiosity? Much like learning to read, children don’t necessarily need pressure toContinue reading “Three Little Whirlwinds and a Messy Home: Finding Peace in the Chaos”
Gentle Parenting & Unschooling in Public: Navigating Judgments and Staying True to Your Values
Dealing with External Pressure: Staying Confident in Your Gentle, Unschooling Family Choosing gentle parenting and unschooling means forging a path guided by empathy, respect, and trust in your child’s innate curiosity. But what happens when your approach is met with skepticism, criticism, or unsolicited advice from others? This blog post delves into the real-life challengesContinue reading “Gentle Parenting & Unschooling in Public: Navigating Judgments and Staying True to Your Values”
Parenting Outside the Lines Poem: The Messy, Unseen Truth Behind Raising Kids (and a Business) Your Way
Parenting is never easy—but when you’re doing it differently, it can feel downright impossible. Add running a business to the mix, and suddenly you’re juggling tantrums, staff call-outs, and the never-ending pile of laundry. In the thick of it, love often feels lost in the chaos, and it’s hard to know if you’re even doingContinue reading “Parenting Outside the Lines Poem: The Messy, Unseen Truth Behind Raising Kids (and a Business) Your Way”
Not Just Homeschooling: The UK’s Child-Centred ‘Home Education’ Movement
There is a nuanced distinction in terminology and philosophy between the US and UK approaches, emphasising that in the UK “home education” is a broader, more flexible, and child-led concept compared to the more school-like connotation of “homeschooling”.
Home Education: When Community Looks Different—Honouring Every Child’s Path
While home education collaboratives are often celebrated for their vibrant community and social opportunities, the reality is that every family’s journey is unique—especially for those with shy, sensitive, or introverted children. The stereotype of the isolated homeschooler sometimes fits, not because home education is failing, but because some children simply thrive in quieter, smaller settingsContinue reading “Home Education: When Community Looks Different—Honouring Every Child’s Path”
Gentle Parent 