The first thing I noticed has been how much calmer and more cooperative William has been with more close time with me. I wouldn't have described him as a particularly recalcitrant child, but we have had our fair share of battles, eg getting dressed in the morning, screen time, food. Fairly typical. Whereas these things haven't disappeared altogether, they aren't really battles anymore, maybe just reminders, and as he grows, increasingly a matter of agreement through consensus and respectful negotiation. A truly democratic household (...that is my aim!)
Everyone is happier, and apparently less stressed. That has got to be a good thing, all around. The pace of life is enjoyable, most of the time about right, and even when we are rushing, it doesn't feel like that feeling you get when you think you're going to miss your train (unless I have arranged an appointment for myself too early in the morning!). One thing, after some years of career-seeking and training is that I do not want life with our young children to be a rush anymore, because this tender time passes too quickly as it is. These outcomes can't be viewed in isolation, because we all feed off each other, and my increased calmness, contentedness will contribute to the children's wellbeing also. So, we help each other.
I feel less pressure to forgo an opportunity for a burst of learning when it arises because bedtime looms. We still have bedtime, but not so strict that it stifles that moment.
I am learning things I would not otherwise have bothered to look at too. And that doesn't even include the self reflection that becomes so habitual when we become parents, although Raj could not hold back when, whilst playing Seterra with William the other day, I momentarily forgot where Portugal was.
So, have there been any drawbacks? Maybe a few more parking charges because we go out more. Though even the ticket machine on the Albert Dock malfunctioned the other day, and I paid only £2 for nearly a whole day's parking to visit Tate Liverpool. HE does cost more, with all the potential activities there are, but parking or bus fares, tea and a flapjack in a museum is a lot more fun than a tenner a week for school lunches. And, I am getting better at whole days out for little or no expense.
There are some differences in approach in executing this education business between myself and Raj. I am more inclined to flow freely, and see value in a broader range of experiences as benefitting William's overall development. I am a facilitator, and not really pedagogical. Raj is pretty keen on the maths exercises and the phonics reading books. We are doing it all now.
So far, I've not had much direct experience of home ed detractors, though I'm sure it will come. In fact, the friends I share the most like-mindedness with can see my vision and are very supportive, even if they aren't HE families themselves. I just feel that William's education is just too precious to be left to chance, which is how it feels dropping him off at school each day. This way, I can take things into my own hands and be there with him as he opens all those doors to learning himself.
