FIVETRIBE

Some of you know I have  been trying to (unsuccessfully) manage another blog 'The Informal Educator' which was supposed to chronicle our school journey as well as serve as a 'resource hub' for other people interested in alternative education. Here is the thing. I don't have time to to that and I realized I am doing all this work for what? For who?    Nee jislaaik - I would rather take that time to read a book, have a swim, play with the dog or just veg out!  I seem to have this default 'share' button in my brain that I really need to switch off. Nobody really needs all my sharing! :-) Back to home-base it is. Consolidate all news and life-happenings right here in this space. School is going well; the girls are enjoying it. I am very surprised that Rachel is so settled and apparently not missing the social hubbub of school life. Our relationship has only become more solid; she is definitely taking on responsibilities at home with less prodding fro...

A quick look into the last week or so. Waking up to this kind of day makes mornings far more appealing Our all time favourite hang-out The Red Couch Outing on The Jolly Roger pirate boat - rough seas (which you cant see in this pic!) Faith still has close bonds with her classmates!  Hard at work. Levi Warrior Brown Loving our new outdoor space Bliss - bring on summer Thanks Jo!  The 'soon-to-be' daybed. Where we do tea and reading every morning Faith got to play stylist for her friend recently Scenes for The Colour Run A little blurry colorful me Making colorful, happy memories Seeing her 'play' is such a special thing - she now has the time to indulge her imagination again Chilling with my lad I still prioritize my own time - no compromise.

It seems I only get to update a couple of times a month - not ideal but better than nothing. Once upon a time I enjoyed writing my blog and spent time actually formulating a readable post but nowadays I throw thought-bombs onto a page in the vain hope that I will remember all the details one day in the future. Rachel is now being schooled at home alongside Faith. While I had envisaged this all along the gravity of the decision is still weighing on me. There are nights I lie awake wondering exactly what the hell I am doing. Ultimately I know it will all be okay - I have many women ahead of me who are schooling high school kids and they keep me grounded in times when my panic can overwhelm me. I also know that I can do this - I am passionate about teaching and learning and opening up the world to them. Both girls love structure, which I have learnt can be a swear word in homeschool circles,  then again we are not the norm in this culture. I do feel that structure serves us well a...

Honey is home. Today is her first official day. I have given much thought to how to play out this last term and due to her nature I have decided to spend most of it 'unschooling' her. Her idea of homeschool is  School At Home . She wants us to emulate school traditions and processes at home. We have had a few discussions about how it is going to be NOTHING like that and I do think she has some anxiety about how this new life will play out. She is extremely academic and has thrived at school. Leaving for her was not a quick, knee-jerk response. It was a journey which I will ask her to share with you at some stage. Needless to say she has to learn to trust the process and  trust me . Trust that I will get her where she needs to go (and further) and this may take some time. Today we make collages and beginning a 'visioning' exercise. In these boards they place anything that resonates with them around homeschool. A little window for me into their dreams, fea...

Yesterday was my eldest daughters last day of formal schooling. Yes, it has finally come to pass. I had no intention of ever schooling my other kids when I took Lulu out in May. I had specific reasons for taking her out that did not apply to my other two kids however as time has gone by my thoughts have changed drastically about home education. I am now in a place (and have been for about 2 months) where I really would like ALL my kids at home. The thought of taking them through their entire school career no longer daunts me. While I have fears and insecurities, like any parent, I am confident that I can provide a home  education of a very high standard. I have had to WAIT for the right timing. I did not want to take Honey (Grade 6) out of school until she was ready. Initially the thought of homeschool was abhorrent to her; she could think of nothing worse. Slowly but surely little things have changed - I do believe it has been a journey for her - and she is so ready to try...

While our holiday in Mykonos was lovely I have to say our little stay-cation at my folks this weekend proved to be equally appealing! An impromptu sleepover on Friday night turned into a lovely long weekend at the 'House with a View' and it was just what my tired, ailing family needed.  Granny and Oupa offered lots of TLC to the little outjie who was still suffering and by the time we returned home on the Monday he was well on his way to his usual sprightly self. This here Mom (ie me) also received some serious TLC in ways only another mother would understand - Thanks Ma! Levi's poker chips provided HOURS of quiet, indoor entertainment. All kinds of games were invented. Oupa teaching Levi some poker plays Sick lad and tired, worried mommy. On Sunday the sun came out and we lapped it up - our long lost friend! Seeing Levi climbing and excited made me very happy! Ice-creams of the catwalk and sun on our skins Love these people ...