The society we live in today LOVES a scandal and the mass exodus of schools by parent's waking up to their own freedom is making government and society alike freak out. The heavy propaganda around home education is being whipped into a frenzy - that home educating parents are 'pushy' or 'permissive', that kids will be left without potential in their future careers, unable to sit exams, weird and not fitting in.... 

Movies, TV shows, magazine articles, popular news, the government - all have been pushing an agenda that school is best and honestly, we are growing very wise to the fact that it absolutely is not for a large majority of kids.

Whether they are thriving 'academically' and becoming world-class people pleasers (like me) - or are bottoming out in their grades, acting out, feeling disillusioned - even abused - by the system.... there are no end of ways that our school systems are damaging the potential of our kids today. For those who do well and are able to ignore the BS, leave it with some self-esteem intact and good enough grades to manage in the world around them - it's promises that good grades will equal success are further from the truth than ever with a destroyed economy, minimal employment and skyrocketing cost of living. 

The truth is, we are in dire need of out of the box thinkers and so many parents as they realise they have got choices beyond what they ever imaged, are starting to see that if they pull their kids from the school system - their kids may have a chance to grasp that far earlier than they did!

So here are 10 AMAZING, inspiring, positive reasons that parents are choosing to home educate:

1. Personalised Learning: There are so many bazillions of subjects to learn about, so many projects we could do, science experiments we can puzzle through, places we can visit... When you think, how much more the country and world at large can benefit from children getting so much more autonomy to puzzle the real up-to-date challenges of the world around them, building on their own - individual strengths and growing their potential in areas that matter to them. 

2. Intrinsic Motivation: There is much proven science around how extrinsic motivation  - rewards and punishments - may be an effective way to alter behaviour, but it certainly doesn't foster a sense of achievement for the sake of doing. If we constantly test, assess, punish, give stickers, grades, etc - then we teach our kids that the only think that matters is memorizing what we want them to and pleasing us. How our government haven't realised that the mental health crisis, lack of enthusiastic employment of young people, disillusionment in education, lack of attendance - all boils down to the huge pressure our kids feel to please others and not be able to foster their own innate interests and desires - I will never know! Fostering intrinsic motivation is as simple as providing opportunity and backing off, letting our kids actually enjoy their own learning for the sake of it. Think about that time you fancied learning how to make amazing bread, or wanted to learn the guitar....you didn't need anyone to make you get great at it did you? You motivated yourself! 

3. A slower pace: So many of us are locked into hustle culture, we are exhausted, miserable, have no fun, have forgotten what our human needs are, don't eat properly, drink enough water, rest - we live in discomfort daily. We have been told that happiness looks like wealth, a nice house and car - but we have forgotten what else matters to us AS WELL - as human beings and in that disconnect we are driving ourselves to the end of our lives faster than ever. 

4. Safety: Bullying is as much a part of the fabric of school as spelling tests and embarrassing PE moments. Except in today's world it is out of control - with extremes being met on a daily basis. One third of 16-18 year old girls say they have experienced unwanted sexual touching at school. 40% experienced bullying in the last 12 months, 9% EVERY WEEK. It isn't that it never happens in the home ed world, but with enhanced supervision it is nipped in the bud instantly and children are given a chance to be coached, supported and if needed - removed, from that situation quickly. Contrary to societal belief, this does not create 'snowflakes' but instead - kinder, compassionate children who are able to tell when they aren't being treated respectfully and aren't afraid to stand up for themselves. They know they are safe to do so, and are able to enter the working world ready to tackle systemic issues - not continue them. 

5. Family Connection: We would all love to feel more connected to our family, sadly so many parents are feeling more and more disconnected from their young family members, when parents are shut out of their child's education, friendship groups, daily lives - it is hardly surprising. Home education simply helps to limit this disconnect and allows parents to have far more involvement in their kid's lives. 

6. Flexible Scheduling: With a rise in flexible working environments for parents, many are realising that they can be more present for their families - this freeing up of commute time, improved concentration in shorter windows of time, ease of multi-tasking with great technology allows us to be present with our kids for many more hours of the day than traditionally we have been able. This is allowing families greater opportunity to embrace home education. 

7. One to One tuition: We know that class-sizes are on the rise, with teachers more over-taxed than ever before. It is a no brainer that a child with one to one attention or even one to a few in a larger family situation, will get more covered, much faster, and have something explained or offered up in a way that is completely relevant and easier to grasp for the individual. 

8. Accessing amazing resources: Schools are struggling more and more to find the funds to keep resources, equipment, curriculum and training up to date. Granted it isn't always cheap for parents to seek these themselves, but with cooperatives, utilising amazing museums, science centres, local experts, arranging days out to get out in the real world and see the examples in real life - our kids can access so much more than they would in the 4 walls. Equally with online schools, AI maths tutors and other amazing services cropping up - our kids are accessing amazing software that gamifies and fast tracks education in ways that will easily rival school tuition!

What I hope I have shown you with this article is that choosing to home educate your children is far from the mythical nonsense spouted in our modern society. Your children will have good friends, they will play for longer, they will embrace their own education with enthusiasm, they will crack open your perspective about all the ways that you have been locked in a limiting belief battle with the world around you, you yourself will find more happiness, a slower pace as a family and more connectedness. You have a choice, don't let propaganda con you out of it!

About the Author: Hi! I'm Kelly - a mentor and coach for parents who are determined to make their transition to home education a JOY, whether that be helping to quell limiting beliefs, to build confidence, to embrace a different pace, to trust yourself more - or how to find a better balance as a family so everyone's needs are being met. You can find out more about me or how to work with me on those links.