With the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic, many families around the world have had no other choice but to take their children out of school and have them continue their learning at home. For my family, it’s just another day at home unschooling, but for some, this sudden change can be unsettling and take some getting used to, as it did for me many years ago when I first took my children out of school.
As unfortunate as the current events might seem, there is hope. Hope for a change in the way we operate in our day to day lives, a change in the way we use our time, a change in the way we engage with each other, and a change in the way we learn.
For a while now it hasn’t seemed natural to me for children to be lumped together in large crowds for 6 hours a day to learn things they may not even be interested in. However, I believe this change will inspire a new way of being, even for children who return to school when the pandemic is over. Or at least I am hopeful. I would like to see a reduction in the workload for children and more flexibility around learning, more freedom to move about and express uniquely, and more options and support to homeschool.
While many parents are now faced with having to provide an education for their children, whether through online lessons via teachers from their school, distance education, or registering for homeschooling, I feel it may be important to share that not all is as hard at it might seem. If turning to homeschooling or more of a child-led learning approach seems too difficult right now, easing into home life with our children by starting with online lessons isn’t all that bad. It is probably a whole lot better than being in school with all that is happening right now!
In saying that, I would like to take the opportunity to share the many benefits (and myths) around homeschooling (or learning from home) that have been my experience over the past almost 9 years of having my children home with me, in contrast to spending 6 years prior in the public school system. Who knows, some parents may adjust better than expected and transition to homeschooling once all of this is over instead of sending their child back to school.
I also want to be clear that I don’t think parents are incapable or don’t know what they are doing. This will be a learning opportunity, sure. But we all figure it out in the end, and each have our unique ways of parenting. No-one knows more than the other, and no-one is better or worse at homeschooling! This is no time for judgement. Those of us not new to this with years of experience are in a good place to offer our wisdom, support and compassion to those who might need it, and not all parents will need it. Most will do just fine, like any of us.
So here is my list of benefits to hopefully shine a light on some of the topics that can arise when in a situation where our children are with us for long periods of time, learning from home, and for those that find through this time that having their children at home is something that is working better for them and that they continue as a lifestyle after the pandemic.
Please note: I am not saying that these apply to every child and parent, this is taken more from my own experiences. Please take what resonates and leave what does not.
BENEFITS OF HOMESCHOOLING FOR CHILDREN:
* More time at home with family, with more opportunity for connection and intimacy.
* Less workload, which may cause exhaustion and depression in children.
* Less illness.
* More play time, resulting in healthy development.
* More opportunity to develop skills that support their passions and interests.
* More opportunity for discussion and guidance around what they are learning.
* More freedom to express emotion.
* A greater capacity for learning through the freedom of having more time at home to learn through everyday activities and interests.
* More opportunity to eat when hungry, sleep when tired, or go to the toilet when needed, allowing more autonomy over their bodies.
* More freedom to express and move how they want, with less restriction on speaking times.
* Less control, resulting in more space for inner genius and uniqueness to blossom.
* Less time with peers, allowing more space for own ideas and preferences.
* No bullying.
* Less to no anxiety, depression, exhaustion, boredom, or any other behaviour problems (not that any of these things are wrong and not welcomed as they arise naturally).
* A lightness of being and joy.
BENEFITS OF HOMESCHOOLING FOR PARENTS:
* More time at home with family, with more opportunity for connection and intimacy.
* More opportunity to bring out our inner child through playing with our children more and taking an interest in their fun activities.
* More opportunity to learn about our child ~ how they think, feel, learn, what they need, what makes them happy, how they grow.
* The opportunity to work with past childhood wounds, emotions and fears that can arise through having our child at home with us more often.
* The opportunity to question our beliefs about learning, schooling, authority, purpose, control and childhood development.
* More time to do the things we enjoy, by having less obligations to monitor our child’s learning, and school time preparations.
* Less time working out of home in places that don’t feel good, by having to stay at home with our child.
* More ease, relaxation, stillness, awareness.
MYTHS ABOUT HOMESCHOOLING:
* I will have to keep up the workload to ensure my child is still learning.
No. The less work the better for homeschooling to be successful and joyful. Homeschooling is about having more time to spend with family, play, and listen to our own inner guidance than about increasing or maintaining a constant work flow. Children can easily find their own flow of learning, and it never ends!
* I will have no time to myself with my kids at home all day needing my attention.
Yes you will. The more children are left alone to do their own thing, the more they leave you alone! When we can manage some time throughout the day to be with them, play a game with them, show interest in what they are doing, chat or cuddle, they are much happier to occupy themselves. School aged children love to be treated like responsible adults, and with guidance and presence from us parents wherever possible, they make great leaders of their own lives!
* I will have to quit my job and I’ll have no money.
Perhaps your partner can be at home while you work (after the pandemic). Perhaps your partner can make money while you stay at home. Maybe you can both stay at home. Maybe you don’t really like your job anyway and would be relieved of having to go. Maybe you can undertake some form of study, work on a creative project that could bring you money, or work from home. The government provides many payments and some financial assistance for homeschooling families.
* My children will have no friends.
Yes they will. There are more opportunities now than ever for online connections ~ through gaming, Skype, and other various platforms. Once the pandemic is over, there are many, many homeschooling groups and opportunities to meet other families, as well as traveling, local playgrounds and libraries, and possibly neighbours or friends who still go to school.
* My kids will turn feral and become out of control if I don’t keep up the rules and structure.
Yes, they may become a little louder, expressive, bubbly, and even emotional as they transition through the changes that allow for more freedom. Working through our own emotions and triggers around this will help the adjustment immensely ~ for all.
* I will have to follow the current curriculum in order to prove my child’s learning.
No, you don’t have to. If registering for homeschooling, you will mostly just need to show progress of your child’s learning. You can opt out of testing, assessments and grading, and just allow them to do whatever they are drawn to, whether it be gaming, online chatting and messaging, playing board games, drawing, cooking, going to the shop, reading, or playing, and the learning will happen through that. Take lots of photos of what they are doing. All of it can be put into subjects for reporting purposes. Seek help from other homeschoolers who can share their reports or help you write yours up, there are many!
* I will have no time to meditate or do my spiritual practices.
Our children ARE our spiritual practice! They will show us anything in ourselves we need to honour and heal, which we can do by deeply listening to ourselves in each moment and self referring back to what is happening in our bodies ~ whether it is what we are thinking, feeling, physical or energetic sensations. This IS meditation. Cultivate your meditation practices in a way that allows your life to be a waking, walking meditation, where you are able to start holding the chaos, stress and overwhelm from the foundation of the deepest stillness within. There are many healers and mentors that can help you ground into your body if you can’t do it alone, we are never alone!
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As I mentioned, this may not apply to everyone, and some children may choose to go to school and enjoy it. But I hope this has been helpful for those who might feel a little lost right now with the unknown future and drastic changes that are upon us. May this be a time for deep contemplation of what we value in ourselves and in our lives. May we take this opportunity to see what life is like outside of the school system and work force, allowing us a greater perspective of the whole.
I also want to acknowledge that it isn’t always easy. It can he hard having our children with us all of the time. There are going to be moments of stress and overwhelm. And that’s ok. We can only do the best we can.
I have included some resources for those interested.
For guidance and support starting out with homeschooling, you can visit this Facebook group: The Educating Parents Homeschooling and Unschooling or visit Beverley’s website: https://homeschoolaustralia.com/.
For guidance and support for unschooling in Australia (a child-led learning approach), registering and reporting, you can visit this Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/unschoolaustralia/
For guidance and support for radical unschooling you can visit Dayna Martin’s website for her free Coronavirus Emergency Homeschooling Kit, which includes a free copy of her book: https://daynamartin.com/homeschooling-kit/?fbclid=IwAR1HDp6JvrZUvmY8lxpnrQBCXV6-LkfAQypdvfDDBJ0RdZl21eYKq2sufq4
For guidance and support for peaceful parenting and self-inquiry you can purchase Freya Dawson’s book, Joyful Parenting, or read her blog by visiting her website: https://www.freyadawson.com.au/?doing_wp_cron=1584971599.2070229053497314453125
And if you would like a detailed version of my unschooling and healing story, and how I transitioned from mainstream schooling, through homeschooling, to unschooling, you can get a copy of my book. Due to a recent promotion of my book on Amazon I am currently unable to gift my book for free, but have lowered it to the price of $3.99 AU. You can read a free chapter of my book by visiting the menu above, or purchase the entire book here: https://www.amazon.com.au/Free-Flowing-Family-unschooling-awakening-ebook/dp/B07GP6814D
Additionally, if you are needing extra guidance and support around parenting, homeschooling or unschooling, you can reach out to me for messaging on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leisa.coleman.3
Or for Skype sessions to chat or be guided through meditation to ground into your body and into stillness, you can email me: missworld@live.com.au
Sessions will be donation based, or free if needed.
Blessings to all, may you be healthy, happy, and connected!
Lots of love,
Leisa.
Leisa Coleman 