Unschooling/Natural Learning

[Shanti]

Yep we're the same. We believe children start school and even prep programs etc way too young these days. My niece was only 4.5yrs when she started prep 5 days a week, that is waaaayy too young if you ask me!!! My sister thought it was great though but she has different beliefs to me.
I even pulled DD3.5yrs out of kindy/daycare as I felt it was headed towards the whole 'preparation for school' thing which we decided was not for us at this stage...... they need to be kept little for longer!! Plus she hated being away from me and I hated being away from her. Even though she loved seeing her friends and the fun activities they did each day, she missed me.
I think the best place for them while they are really young is at home with their parent/s. We will take home education ONE year at a time, ALWAYS. We will never look ahead longer than that and perhaps one day they will go to school, maybe only one of our daughters will end up at school whereas the other one won't ever go to school, not sure! It depends on the child at the time..... many families even send 1 or 2 of their kids but the 3rd one ends up never going to school as it just didn't suit them, ya know? Depends....

I agree Kuraiza. It's a bit challenging for me at the moment with my DD3.5yrs because she thinks school is cool because her neighbours go to the school up the road from us. They are 6,6 & 8 and she plays with them sometimes and when I talk about home education she says 'but I'm going to go to school mum' and we talk about it briefly about how school is a long day, don't get to see mum and sister all day, not as much play time etc..... she's so influenced by these neighbourhood kids already about school, it kinda sucks being surrounded by a street full of kids who do mainstream school. But we'll get past that I am sure..... I want my DD to realise it's ok to do things differently and that she doesn't have to be like all her friends

First and foremost, home education for us is a 'lifestyle' choice followed by a whole range of reasons! I can't imagine having to get up every day 5 days a week for the school drop offs and pickups, making the lunches, and following the school schedule. Also I don't like the idea that once you drop your child at that gate, you lose responsibility for your child's wellbeing and the school becomes in charge.... DH and I aren't OK with that, not while they are so little (5,6,7yrs old).