Why We’re Choosing to Home Educate…
Home education shouldn’t be a controversial topic, yet it often raises eyebrows, sparks unsolicited opinions, and invites concerns that mainstream schooling doesn’t seem to attract.
When I first became a mother (unexpectedly, I might add) I had a very different vision of what parenting would look like. My ideas were shaped by societal norms, my own upbringing, and the assumption that the conventional path was the only one. Like most parents, I thought about school as an inevitability, not a choice.
At first, I followed the mainstream route. I moved back to my hometown to be close to family, especially my mum, because growing up, weekends with grandparents were just what you did. I imagined the same for my daughter. And while having my mum nearby in those early months was invaluable (and I’ll always be grateful for their amazing bond), I soon realised that I didn’t want to send my daughter away every weekend just to “get a break.” I wanted to soak up every moment with her, as exhausting and bleary-eyed as I was.
The Unexpected Path to Home Education
Breastfeeding was another unexpected journey and was what truly shifted my parenting mindset. I had planned to try breastfeeding, but I had no idea how deeply it would shape our bond. When my daughter rejected bottles and pacifiers at nine months, it meant that breastfeeding became an all-or-nothing commitment. This naturally led us toward co-sleeping, respectful parenting, baby-led weaning, and an approach to play inspired by Montessori, Waldorf, and Charlotte Mason methods… long before I even knew those philosophies had names.
By the time we moved to the Outer Hebrides, we had already chosen a slower, more intentional way of living and one that prioritised nature, family connection, and values that felt further and further from the mainstream. So, when it came time to apply for nursery, I assumed we’d follow the standard process.
But then the application form arrived.
The options: 30 hours a week during term time or 22.5 hours year-round. It was framed as a good thing… an opportunity to “get back to work,” to “have a break.” But I didn’t invest this much love, time, and energy into my daughter just to send her away for up to 30 hours a week. I love being with her, exploring the world by her side.
Still, I ignored the nagging feeling in my gut and submitted the application. After all, everyone does it. It’s just what happens. Right?
Discovering Home Education
Not long after, unforeseen circumstances led me back to Instagram for a short time, and in a twist of fate, that’s when I stumbled across home education. At first, I had the same doubts most people do when they hear about home education - it felt unfamiliar, even extreme. But the more I researched, the more it made sense.
I quickly realised that the community is beautifully diverse, families from all walks of life, backgrounds, and belief systems choosing this path for a variety of reasons. While many home educators come from a faith-based perspective, our decision is not rooted in religion. As a non-religious home educating family, our approach is centered on fostering curiosity, a love of learning, and a lifestyle that aligns with our values. I deeply respect the many different ways families choose to educate, and I have loved learning from the broad range of perspectives within this community.
I also had a realisation during this research: we’d been home educating this whole time.
Everything we were already doing, learning through play, following our daughter’s lead, immersing her in nature, fostering curiosity it was home education in its purest form.
After sharing my thoughts with my partner (and providing him with a lot of research), we agreed to trial home education during the nursery years, with the intention of continuing if it felt right. Of course, we’ll always be open to reconsidering if our daughter ever expresses a desire to go to school in the future.
Facing the Questions
Telling our families, however, was another challenge.
When you choose home education, you open yourself up to a flood of “what if” questions:
What if she doesn’t have friends?
What if she feels isolated?
What if you’re not up to the job?
What if you never get a break?
What if she doesn’t get qualifications?
These are valid concerns, and I had many of them myself before I took the time to educate myself. But what I started to notice was that no one asks similar “what if” questions when you enroll a child in school, even though many of the same concerns could apply:
What if they’re not emotionally ready for school?
What if they hate it?
What if they struggle to make friends?
What if they’re bullied?
What if their teacher isn’t supportive?
What if they’re overwhelmed with homework and expectations?
What if school crushes their natural love of learning?
I realised that we often assume school is the safe choice simply because it’s the normal choice. But for our family, it didn’t feel like the right fit.
Choosing to Home Educate - For Now
So, we decided: Let’s try.
Let’s try home educating, just as most people try school.
Let’s make sure our daughter has plenty of opportunities to socialise through classes, playgroups, and family visits. Let’s embrace outdoor learning, field trips, and the freedom to tailor education to her unique interests. Let’s foster a lifelong love of learning instead of rushing her into structured schooling before she’s ready.
And most importantly, let’s protect her childhood while she still has it.
A Choice, Not a Judgment
I want to be clear: our choice to home educate is not a criticism of traditional schooling or of any parent who chooses it. Every family’s situation is unique, and what works for one might not work for another.
For us, home education aligns with our values, our lifestyle, and our vision for our daughter’s early years. It may not be for everyone, but it is an option. And part of what I hope to share in this space is our journey navigating this path.
If you home educate (especially in the UK) I’d love to hear from you! Let’s build a supportive community where all education choices are respected.
Til Next Time | LA xXx
