Home Education.

Jay and I read an article a couple of years ago, right when we were in the depths of Jelly's school anxiety, about the Danish education system. I'm sure you're all well aware (as it featured heavily in the media at the time), but if not, here's an overview: in Denmark, children do not begin mainstream education until the age of 7, before then focussing on learning through play. The academic results of Danish 11 year-olds are consistently higher than that of British 11 year-olds, and the children are generally more well-adjusted and emotionally mature. In short - to me, it seems like those precious few years of structure are, well, pointless really. We wished in that moment that we'd had the information before sending Jelly in to mainstream education. Would her anxiety issues have remained the same? Would she feel 'scarred' by school like she did in that moment? Would learning have been a different experience for her, a whole new childhood, if we had stopped her entering school until the age of seven?

Enter Moo. We didn't have Moo when we read that article, and we didn't know we'd ever have him. But now his second birthday is looming and the thought of registering him with nurseries (I should have done it by now) and schools is popping into my head. I just don't feel comfortable. Jay and I will graduate university when Moo is four years old, which means that we could potentially be in the ideal situation by the time he is five for me to spend that time with him and educate him at home. It will probably be for two years (Jelly's school is a junior school, which begins at year 3, and I love it's nurturing and encouraging atmosphere - I'd be really happy for him to go there when he turns 7) but who knows? Maybe it will be for us. Maybe we'll "homeschool all the way". Maybe we won't. Maybe he'll end up going to school from foundation year and love every day of it. These are all ideas.

There are the pros. The cons: I am not patient, so how will I cope? I need to learn to drive so we have freedom and don't go stir crazy, and so that I can take him to places and groups where he can socialise. Will Jelly see it as unfair that she had to go through that traumatic school experience and he gets to stay at home with his Mum, the one thing she always asked for and was always told was impossible? Is it unfair? Am I equipped? Will Moo and I spend too much time together and find it difficult to get along? 

Like I said, these are all ideas. I'd love some recommendations of blogs and books which talk about homeschooling. I've already joined my local home education Facebook group and they all seem lovely and welcoming, so I already have a good feeling about this. I'm more than on board, Jay is on board, now I just need to get the background info and check I'm really doing what's best for my son.

My first vlog!

The idea of vlogging always made me a bit nervous, but I thought I'd give it a bash with my trusty helper. It'd be amazing if you could have a peek and maybe even comment to tell her how well she did, she's "soooo embarrassed!" 

Helluva Manbasket.

I'm going to change the title of this tomorrow after he's actually received his present, but for today, while he is on strict instructions to stay off the blog, this is 'Valentine's Gift'. I'll probably go for something cheesy tomorrow like 'Helluva Manbasket'. (Does anybody get that reference?) edit: Gave it to him! He loved it!

Because that's what I've done for Jay this year, and I'm super excited for him to see it all tomorrow morning. I find it really easy to get him presents generally because through the year I look up everything he says he likes the look of, then add it to my bookmarks. Come birthday or Christmas time, I've got a whole list of ideas to choose from. But Valentine's Day has never been something we've done "proper" presents for. I just wanted this day to be for making him feel special, and what makes someone feel more special and pampered than a personalised gift basket?!

I found the basket on eBay and chose a design that wasn't delicate or floral, so I could be sure it would appeal to his manly side (but I must admit I picked one that I could see a place for in our home!). Inside the basket is a Liz Earle giftset for men, a giant Valentine's Day card, a 'build your own Android app' magazine book, some miniature Whisky bottles and I bought him a year-long subscription to CODE Magazine but the latest issue isn't out yet, so I substituted a little home-made 'coupon'.

Jay studies computer games development at University so, as well as the 'pamper' products (Liz Earle) and 'treats' (whisky!) I got him some things he'd find practical. Hopefully he'll find a real use for the things I got him in the future, and if they're not practical then hopefully he'll at least be interested. I padded out the basket with the tissue paper from inside the Liz Earle package, otherwise I'd have just got some plain tissue paper from a supermarket. I also lined the bottom of the basket with the Liz Earle washcloth.

Happy Valentine's Day, Future Husband! I love you!

Nail Moodboard: Valentine's Day

February is the month of love! 

I love having fun nails, and I try to co-ordinate them to seasons and holidays - anybody else missing looking down and seeing Christmas trees and puddings?! As V-Day approaches (and I know many of you aren't fans, so I won't bang on!) I thought I'd do a basic selection of some of my favourite colours for this time of year. No patterns, nothing fancy - though if anybody is interested I can share some proper Valentine's art, let me know! 

L-R 1-7

1. Oriflame Pure Colour Floral Nail Polish. Two coats.

2. 'Naughty' from an old gift set. Two coats.

3. Red from a Primark make-up set. Two coats.

4. No.7 - Coral Kiss 39. Two coats.

5. Pink from the same Primark make-up set. Two coats.

6. Barry M Gelly - Blood Orange. One coat.

7. Barry M - Red Glitter. Three coats.