I was sat having a think the other day about all the things I felt back when I was sending an email to the local authority to turn down my kid's school place as I begin my 'countdown to deregistration' series over on TikTok. I didn't have to de-register my son from a school but I did have to send that e-mail, and going from 'good girl' to what felt like the ultimate rebel choosing to opt out of a school system I didn't believe was going to be the best choice for our kids, or us, I felt like I had a mountain to overcome!

That decision, though, was soooo not about being naughty or rebellious. It was about something far  deeper, something more profound and boy did it feel it. It was about reclaiming our human rights.

You see, the traditional school system is often seen as the default. It's the path most of us walked, the path that society tells us is the norm so it feels weird, stressful and like nobody is going to understand. But just because something is common doesn’t mean it’s the best fit for everyone. For us, it wasn’t. My kids were melting down after their day's in nursery, they weren't sleeping or eating well. We looked at the way our children were learning, the way they were being shaped by the world around them, and we realized that the conventional path might not be the best one for their unique needs.

The moment I pressed 'send' on that email, a flood of emotions washed over me. I felt a mixture of fear, relief, and excitement. Fear of the unknown, relief at taking control, and excitement for the possibilities that lay ahead. It was a step into a new world, one where we, as a family, could determine our own =0 well - everything! 

Opting out of the school system isn’t about rejecting education or academia. Far from it. It’s about redefining it. It’s about recognizing that education can happen in countless ways and in countless places. Learning isn’t only possible in a classroom. It happens in the living room, lounging on the floor, at the museum, in the park, at a friend's house and yes, even in the garden as you sow your own potatoes. 

Home education is about creating an environment where learning is a natural part of life, curiosity burns in our blood and we just have to give it space to take its own course. It’s about providing them with the time and space to learn at their own pace, without the pressure of standardized tests and rigid curricula.

But more than that, home education is about reclaiming our rights as parents and as human beings. It’s about the right to choose what is best for our families. It’s about the right to question the status quo and to carve out our own path. In a world that often tells us to conform and to feel shame for who we are, what we look like, sound like, behave like, are interested in...choosing home education is a powerful act of self-determination - and not just for your kids.

When I look at my two now, I see how they’ve flourished. They’re curious, confident, and engaged with the world around them. They ask questions, they explore, they learn with joy. And I know that the decision to home educate was the right one for us. It wasn’t about being rebellious, I definitely felt like I was, but it was about standing up for our rights and our values instead. I am so proud of the scared, stressed me who took that leap and gave it a chance.

So, to anyone out there feeling like they’re on the edge of making this decision, know that you’re not alone. Know that choosing home education isn’t about being naughty or rebellious. It’s about taking control of your children’s education and reclaiming your rights as a human being and a parent. It’s about choosing the path that feels right for you and your family, even if it’s not the one most travelled. And in doing so, you’re not just educating your children; you’re empowering them—and yourselves—for a lifetime.

About the author: I am Kelly Rigg, Home Education Coach & Consultant. I work with families to support them as they learn how to deschool and rewild their limiting beliefs, capturing a whole new, empowered way of life that can affect their kid's education trajectories, their own careers and passions, relationships and so much more. I believe entirely that any family can benefit from the freedom home education can offer, and that most are capable of making it a wonderful existence - with the right support and community around them.