Freedom

Did you know that not all home educators are the same? Did you know that because home educators have the freedom to determine the how, what and where of their children's education that this means it is possible for each home educating family to be completely different? Did you know that anyone, regardless of marital status, occupation, lifestyle or life philosophy can choose to educate their own children? Did you know that this means that not all home educators agree with the choices that each other makes? 

I happen to also think that this does not give anyone the right to be rude, judgemental, exclusive, aggressive or bully those around them, both adults and children. Unfortunately, i met a group of people yesterday (Wednesday), one in particular, who were just that. And it left me grateful. Grateful that I am in a position that I don't have to return to that same group as we have the freedom to choose, and grateful that I have found a circle of home educating friends who share similar ideas and are supportive and encouraging and helpful to each other. 

It was a day in complete contrast to Tuesday when we met friends, some I know well, some I've only recently met and some I don't see that often, and we went for a walk around Swanbourne Lake. It was not so long ago that a trip like this would have been quite stressful due to having smaller and slower children and a baby that needed more regular breastfeeding our progress on a walk was often slower than others in the group. But now the boys are keen to run and play with others and Plum needs less milk stops. The group mentality is such that watching out for and engaging with children that are not yours is natural and common place and if one happens to get in a spot of bother (Bean stuck up a chalk cliff face) then others are happy to lend a hand (one mother holding Plum whilst I tried to get up to help him and two older children talking him down and encouraging him every step of the way....i think they should be in the rescue service, they were amazing.)

We followed this with a play date that Bean had arranged on Monday with his friend whilst at the park and went to our friends house for a couple of hours.  

And today we went to gymnastics followed by a swim. A fellow home ed mum came in the pool too and played with the boys who were uber confident and splashing and crawling around. I didn't think regular swimming would ever be possible but it worked out really well and we were collectively happy with the way it worked out. will definitely be repeating it.