Contemplating home ed in Glasgow - please help!

[Esther30]

Hi there, I have just signed up to this forum after having spent many hours hunting online, desperately trying to find someone who home educates in Glasgow... then I found this thread and the place names are at last familiar! I live in Maryhill and am struggling to decide whether to home ed or send my 5 year old daughter to school. I also have a 2 y/o girl and a new baby boy and realise I am very late debating the matter when school is due to start next month. There is so much to weigh up and I would LOVE to find someone as near to me as possible who who be happy to talk to me about their experience of home educating. Please contact me asap if you fit the bill! One issue is how it would work with the younger children home too. Also how I would know what curriculum to cover etc. Thank you for any help, Esther

[Ali Admin]

Esther. I have moved your post to a new thread so that it is more easily found.

Some of the locals should be along shortly but you are in the right place.

[Diane]

Hello Esther,

You said: "Also how I would know what curriculum to cover etc."

You don't need to cover any kind of curriculum. Personally, I made the choice to follow my children's interests. I don't believe that the National Curriculum is anything but a dog's breakfast of daft ideas that politicians and bureaucrats approved of. No one really knows what future generations will find necessary to know so the best thing is to concentrate on what your youngsters enjoy so they can get good at those things. Most people make careers out of what they are good at not what they're mediocre at doing.

Of course, there are home educators who use curricula. And one advantage of home education is its flexible nature - you can follow a curriculum, follow a child's interests, or have a mix of the two styles. It's all a matter of what suits your family.

Welcome to the forums.

Diane
http://www.threedegreesoffreedom.blogspot.com

[sapna]

Hi Esther30,

there's a group of us that meet every Wednesday in and around Glasgow. The children are aged about 0-7years. This week we're meeting at the Victoria Road gates of Queens Park around 11/12-ish. Have a look in the 'Scotland Activities' section for more info. Do come along if you can. I have three children similar ages to yours - 5yrs, 3yrs and 4 months - and we live in the West End. There are others in the group that live close to you and have a few children too. We meet up so the children can play together and so the adults can talk. It's fun and can be quite reassuring too.
I'd say to send me a private message but we're going on holiday this week so I may not get round to replying. If you don't mind a delayed response do get in touch.
Sapna

[Rooney]

Hi Esther30
Welcome to the forums.
You have come to the right place for help and advice.
I have 3 children also around the same age.
In my experience my younger children become interested in what the eldest is doing and are learning with her. I will pm you with my phone number. Contact me if you want to chat anytime.
I am so convinced that this is the best choice for my children.
It really is worth giving it a go.
Margaret

[LovingHomeEd]

Hello Esther,

We are nowhere near you but wanted to say welcome and good luck with your decision making! I agonised over it for a really long time. It was the best decision I ever made. Hope that you decide one way or the other soon so that you can enjoy your summer

[Caroline]

Hi Esther

We were in the same situation as you two years ago and I pulled my 4 1/2 year old son out of the school system over the holiday period. It was a scary thing to do at the time but I think it is the best thing I've ever done.

It has definitely brought us closer together as a family and my two children are absolute best friends as they spend so much time together. They are both very happy which for me is just brilliant.

We mostly follow their interests and there is always something to be learned along the way. At the moment, my son runs a 'shop' in the living room so my day usually starts with a purchase from his shop which always involves counting money, giving change etc. So that's the maths for the day done! The children do loads of imaginative play and this can inspire writing/artwork. For example, the teddies frequently have 'birthdays' which involves making cards, party invitations, party bags, cakes from playdough etc. Both children join in with the play but do things at their own level and my son often teaches his younger sister things along the way. We also do loads of outdoor play so the kids are very active and healthy.

Sometimes I have moments of doubt - I think many of us do - so meeting up with other home educators is really important for me as much as for the kids. You are very lucky in Glasgow - there is a great group of really lovely people in your area. We are just outside Stirling but do try to come down to Glasgow when we can. Hopefully we will see you one day soon!

All the very best of luck in your decision.

Caroline