Home education has benefited
me in a big way. I was very depressed and suffered from regular
panic attacks. School was affecting my life so much and has
left me scared for life. I never want my children to go to school.
Home education saved my life; I was so near to suicide. I am the
'true' me now and my mum hadn't seen the 'true' me for many years!
My confidence is growing back and I am happy. If I had known about
home education earlier I wouldn't have stayed at school for those
4 terrible years.
There are so many advantages to home education. I love not having
to get up early every morning. Some days I don't get up 'til after
everyone's at school. No uniform too. You can choose which ever
subjects you like to work on instead of what the school makes you
do. It's so much better. 'At first I worked very much like I would
do if I was at school except I did the work at home and I got so
much more work done.' Now I don't work to a timetable. I've discovered
my favourite, advantage and that's shopping in town when everyone's
at school or work! (Don't tell anyone though!)
I personally don't think there are any real disadvantages; I guess
socialisation can be a problem but not if you do something about
it. I have plenty of pen pals and I know a lot of adults from the
e-lists I'm on. I've been on adult education GCSE courses and met
a wide range of people, from one other person who works at home
to parents who are just studying for fun!
Motivation can be an issue especially
with teenagers. Some people I know came out at 14 - then it takes
a while to settle into working at home. Then it's the panic
of GCSE's all in one year and that is hard. If you think your child
wants to do GCSE's, I thoroughly recommend spreading them out! Otherwise
you can't do fun projects and day trips as well. Its just working
at home all day studying! Not easy i can tell you!
Everyone I have come across that either is home educated or has
home educated children are all so pleasant and understanding which
is great. It's like we're all one big family who are there for each
other!
I went to the O.K week
in Wales last year and met lots of people; then I went to HESFes
and, of course, most of them were there. One girl was so excited
to see me; she didn't know I was going and we hadn't been in contact
since September. She just ran up and gave me a huge hug! It was
great.
Before I was home educated I used to lock myself in the bathroom
and scream and hurt myself and have nightmares each night waking
up in sweats. I didn't enjoy the weekends because I was dreading
school on Monday. It was just a nightmare. I'd cry myself to sleep
and I just didn't want to live. The thought of school was the worst
thought for me ever and to think at one point I loved getting up
in the morning to school. It was me hurrying my mum up to take me
to school!
Now after 6 years on betablockers for panic attacks I have just
come off them. My doctor thought I would be on them for life. I
hope to complete my GCSE's and A' levels before going to university
to study for a maths degree with honours.
Home education is the best thing since
sliced bread and that's no joke!
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