To the Parent Who Thinks They're Failing at Home Ed, You're Not

This one is for you. The parent sitting there at the end of the week feeling like you haven't done enough. Like the days were too short, the work too little, the guilt too loud.

I know that feeling. I've sat in it more times than I can count. And I want to tell you something important.

You are not failing. Not even close.

What Our Week Actually Looks Like

Throughout the week we cover maths and English, that's our foundation. But around that we weave in so much more. Art, crafts, PE, skate park days, board games, the Doodle app, our homemade workbooks, drawing, painting, science experiments, movies, baking. Some days we do four hours. Some days less. And sometimes, at the end of one of those weeks, the guilt starts nibbling away at me.

They're falling behind. You haven't done enough. This week was a waste.

And then I stop,  I look back. And I remember where we started.

And Then There Was the Heatwave Week

Not so long ago we had a heatwave. 40 degrees. FORTY. And I'll be honest with you, that entire week we sat in the paddling pool from morning to night, ate an endless supply of lollies and had BBQs. That was our learning that week. Keeping cool. Surviving. Eating our body weight in Fabs.

Even the dog joined in, he had his own Fab and got cooled down with the hose. Honestly the most educated member of the household that week. 😄

Oh and watering the fruit and veg. Because apparently even the tomatoes were struggling and somebody had to keep them alive. So yes, we did science that week. Plant biology. Hydration under extreme conditions. We were basically researchers.

Did we sit at the table and do maths? Absolutely not. Did we have the energy for it? Not a chance. Hats off to anyone who did, genuinely, you are a hero, but in our house we collectively decided that melting was enough of a challenge for one week. And we had the best time.

And you know what? That counts too.

Where We Started

When we began home educating, both Bonnie and Archie were below average for their learning age. Bonnie couldn't read. Neither could Archie.

And now?

Now they can read. They can write. They can do maths. They are confident enough to walk into a new situation and make new friends. They have become independent in ways that genuinely take my breath away.

The Life Skills Nobody Talks About

Here's the thing that hit me like a tidal wave one ordinary day. I was watching my children just… living. And I realised how much they had learned that had nothing to do with a worksheet.

Bonnie can make her own food. She makes cups of tea. She loves organising, loves doing the dishes, loves helping with the food shopping list. Archie? Archie loves jet washing. Both of them love cleaning out the washing machine filter, helping their dad build things, reading instructions, tidying their rooms. Archie loves the drill and gets stuck in creating things with wood. They make their own drinks, tie their own shoes, pick out their own outfits, dress themselves with confidence.

And I thought, hang on. They would never have learned any of this in school.

Because in our home ed life, when one of them wants to try something new, making toast, dicing vegetables, helping cook dinner, I let them. We've all got to learn somewhere. And this is their somewhere. This is their classroom.

The Moment It All Makes Sense

There comes a moment, and it will come for you too, when you step back and look at your child. Really look at them. You rewind to the beginning. You see how far they have come. And it hits you like a tidal wave.

Wow. Look at them. Look at what they can do.

You haven't been failing them. You have been preparing them. Not for the school world, but for the real world. The world as it actually is, full of life experiences, practical skills, confidence and curiosity.

That is the best kind of education there is. And you are giving it to them every single day, even on the days that feel like nothing happened.

So on the Days the Guilt Gets Loud

On the days when the guilt starts nibbling, when the week feels unproductive, when you wonder if you're doing enough, I want you to do this.

Look at your child. Really look at them. Think about who they were when you started and who they are right now. Think about what they can do today that they couldn't do before. Think about the confidence, the independence, the skills, the joy.

And then remind yourself: you are not failing them. You are raising them. And you are doing a brilliant job. 💚

What life skill has your home ed child surprised you with recently? I'd love to hear in the comments!

Sarah, Home Ed Mum Diary