Homeschool Therapy: Working on Ourselves

Anna Dusseau | 1st July 2020 “As can happen when you stop doing something, you wonder why you ever did it.” Tobias Jones, School’s Out, The Guardian, April 2020 For most homeschooling families, Mondays are no longer a downer. Sorry, Garfield! This morning, like every morning, begins for us with pop music and marmalade, spreadContinue reading “Homeschool Therapy: Working on Ourselves”

On Autonomy and Being an Asshole

Anna Dusseau | 24th June 2020 It’s 7pm and my daughter is still swooping round the house on her classic roller skates. We live in a bungalow, so you can imagine the speed. Oh, and she’s got a copy of Zoey and Sassafras held about an inch from her face, eyes darting across the pageContinue reading “On Autonomy and Being an Asshole”

Mask and Mirror: Why Instagram Ain’t Your Friend

Anna Dusseau | 11th June 2020 Let me begin by saying that I know, deep down, that I’m a technophobe. The fact that I can almost instantly follow that up with the fact that I’m also more than a dash antisocial, makes me wonder just what kind of tech-free, people-free Eden I’d be wandering inContinue reading “Mask and Mirror: Why Instagram Ain’t Your Friend”

Storytime: Why Do We Homeschool?

Anna Dusseau | 1st May 2020 It is just after seven o clock and the grey light coming through the curtains tells me it is going to be another chilly morning. This is February, before the world went into isolation, and I am rubbing my sore neck after another rough night with the baby. TeethingContinue reading “Storytime: Why Do We Homeschool?”

Every Penny Counts: How to Budget Like a Boss

Anna Dusseau  | 27th May 2020  “Look after the pennies and the pounds will take care of themselves.” Some Old Lady Oh, mama! There’s a reason homeschool is classified as private education in the UK, right? This shit is expensive! Like, Eton expensive, when you really think about it. Not only are you likely sacrificingContinue reading “Every Penny Counts: How to Budget Like a Boss”

Rethinking Learning: Why You Haven’t Achieved Nothing Today

Anna Dusseau | 20th May 2020 If I had a pound for every time a parent contacts me in despair, telling me that their son or daughter has ‘achieved nothing’ today, I would be rich. It is such a common sentiment. Nothing? I ask, wondering, picturing the entire family flat on their backs contemplating theContinue reading “Rethinking Learning: Why You Haven’t Achieved Nothing Today”

Ten Problems, One Solution: Chocolate

Anna Dusseau | 15th May 2020 Dark chocolate, to be specific. Because in this house, there is just one solution to a whole host of problems. Don’t overthink it. Chocolate, chocolate, chocolate. Get involved and give yourself a brain-boosting, endorphin-soaring, antioxidant, 85% dose of ‘I-can-handle-this’ and change your parenting stress habits for life. Here’s howContinue reading “Ten Problems, One Solution: Chocolate”

Calm Parenting: Conversations with Aaliyah

Anna Dusseau | 13th May 2020 I have been working with Aaliyah and her family for a few months now and, last week, we covered this important topic. Perhaps you have the patience of a saint, or perhaps you are blessed with children who are just really calm and easy to be around. But if,Continue reading “Calm Parenting: Conversations with Aaliyah”

How to Start the Day

Anna Dusseau | 10th May 2020 The way your morning starts can make all the difference to the kind of homeschooling day you’re going to have. Mine has to start, every time, with a double espresso and a long stretch, usually half closing one eye to block out the sound of one of the childrenContinue reading “How to Start the Day”

Worldschooling: Let’s Go To Provence

Anna Dusseau | 8th May 2020 “Provence is a country to which I am always returning, next week, next year, any day now, as soon as I can get on a train.” Ah lala! La Provence! Sun baked region of l’or bleu (‘blue gold’ aka. lavendar..yes, I know, it’s clearly purple-ish), ground almond Calissons, bouillabaisseContinue reading “Worldschooling: Let’s Go To Provence”

One For The Dads

Anna Dusseau | 7th May 2020 “This one is for the daddies driving Polos/Changing nappies, making lunch and playing yo-yo.” (Probably Not) Nikki Minaj I am conscious that this feels like a female space. Not blogging per se, but the world of parent blogging. Wait, scrap that. Just parenting full stop. Biologically and statistically, it’sContinue reading “One For The Dads”

Why Many Parents Homeschool Because of Bullying (and That’s Okay)

Anna Dusseau | 5th May 2020 I am watching my children play in the garden. I know, in these challenging times, we are lucky to have a garden at all. But what I notice right now is the total, undiluted freedom of my six year old daughter as she tears after her younger brothers, terrifyingContinue reading “Why Many Parents Homeschool Because of Bullying (and That’s Okay)”

Garlic Farts, C Section Scars and Wine o Clock: Thank You, Liebster Award!

Anna Dusseau | 5th May 2020 My first award! Woohoo! Thanks so much to Andi at Diary of a Gay Dad for nominating my blog Homeschool Guru for this award. You legend! Okay then, here come my answers to the interview questions. I’m a newbie on the blogging scene so fasten your seatbelt, boys andContinue reading “Garlic Farts, C Section Scars and Wine o Clock: Thank You, Liebster Award!”

Top 10 Song Lyrics My Kids Are Straight Up Wrong About

Anna Dusseau | 1st May 2020 Do you guys follow Andi and his kids at Diary of a Gay Dad? If not, get on it because these guys are hilarious. Earlier this week, Andi wrote a post about giving away his age by listening to a bit of 80s Ska revival and this got meContinue reading “Top 10 Song Lyrics My Kids Are Straight Up Wrong About”

Homeschooling is Dangerous, Harvard? Come On, Now..

Anna Dusseau | 30th April 2020 Last week was a kick in the nuts. According to the Daily Mail, Harvard law professor Elizabeth Bartholet has labelled homeschooling as ‘dangerous’, claiming that it gives parents “authoritarian control” over children. Okaaaaay. I mean, it’s the Daily Mail, so I’m easy like Sunday morning at this point. ItContinue reading “Homeschooling is Dangerous, Harvard? Come On, Now..”

Paperless Planning? Pah!

Anna Dusseau | 29th April 2020 “Time spent among trees is never time wasted.” – anonymous Not being funny, but the whole paperless environment trend has been a total fail in our house and that’s not because I own a Rottweiler and drink Stella on a folding chair the moment the sun comes out. NotContinue reading “Paperless Planning? Pah!”

Can You Make My Child a Reader? Yes.

Anna Dusseau | 22nd April 2020 Thank you to Aliyah for letting me share our email exchange earlier this week. I hope it’s of use to some of you, especially if you are deep-end homeschooling right now. Hi Anna, I am new to homeschooling with my kids. I’ve got a 6 year old daughter andContinue reading “Can You Make My Child a Reader? Yes.”

50 Homeschooling Resources You Need in Your Life, Like NOW!

Anna Dusseau | 15th April 2020 Google Earth Maths? No Problem! Encyclopaedia Top Trumps Story of the World Recorders Story Cubes Child safety kitchen utensils Scrap paper drawer Matilda Splendid Spelling Game Binoculars Cartoon History of the Universe Curiosity Box Rubik’s Cube Kiddi Zoom Camera An atlas or globe Tennis rackets Skipping rope Magformers DrContinue reading “50 Homeschooling Resources You Need in Your Life, Like NOW!”

Reflections of a Reluctant Teacher: My Education Journey

Anna Dusseau | 14th April 2020 Becoming a homeschooling family has been a cathartic process for me, as I realise now that I come from a long line of homeschoolers. We just didn’t know it back then. Both sides of my family are packed with incredibly bright, bookish people who simmer in that slightly hyper-intelligentContinue reading “Reflections of a Reluctant Teacher: My Education Journey”

Life Hacks for Homeschooling Parents

Anna Dusseau | 13th April 2020 Mental health matters. Full stop. But where are we now with supporting families struggling in the grip of global crisis? Back in October 2019, the Every Mind Matters campaign amassed rapid public support with its 5-step mental health personalised plan, launched in conjunction with the NHS and a wholeContinue reading “Life Hacks for Homeschooling Parents”

Music is the Remedy: Show Me What You’ve Got

Anna Dusseau | 10th April 2020 We are a musical family. I dance in the kitchen for the vast majority of the time (it really pisses the kids off) and teenwolf is only very reluctantly doing a ‘real’ job having failed to make it as the next David Guetta during his 20s (I mean thisContinue reading “Music is the Remedy: Show Me What You’ve Got”

Why Baking is an Essential Part of Homeschooling

Anna Dusseau | 8th April 2020 “Life is uncertain. Eat dessert first.” -Ernestine Ulmer Like my favourite kind of pastry, I’m going to keep this short and sweet because – well – sometimes things are just better that way. From creamy lasagne to dairy-free banana cupcakes, cooking and baking is surely a fundamental aspect ofContinue reading “Why Baking is an Essential Part of Homeschooling”

101 Things I Might Have Done If I Wasn’t A Homeschooling Mum of 3

Anna Dusseau | 7th April 2020 1. Be a Spice Girl. (It’s not too late. Stop being negative.) 2. Drive a Porsche. 3. Wait, drive an Audi S7. Less noise. I still need to hear Kisstory. 4. Write a kick-ass Kisstory playlist with less garage and more grind. 5. Build a rocket. 6. Think forContinue reading “101 Things I Might Have Done If I Wasn’t A Homeschooling Mum of 3”

Homeschool Rules #5: Creative Play

Anna Dusseau | 3rd April 2020 Teenwolf and I have this game we like to play. Wow wow WOW sweet child of mine! Wash your mouth out with soap and water, for goodness’ sake; this is a family blog. Okay, so this PG-rated game is called ‘where will we be this time next year?’ andContinue reading “Homeschool Rules #5: Creative Play”

Homeschool Rules #4: 50 Genius Ways to Avoid Losing your Shiz with the Kidz

Anna Dusseau | 2nd April 2020 Omfg, these little people! We love them but they can grind your gears, right? I sometimes feel like they were sent to test me. Like, do you remember way back in your first pregnancy when you felt a bit panicky because you couldn’t find those vegan multivitamins with theContinue reading “Homeschool Rules #4: 50 Genius Ways to Avoid Losing your Shiz with the Kidz”

Homeschool Rules #3: The Global Classroom

Anna Dusseau | 1st April 2020 Whatever your experience prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, times have changed and we are now all part of a global think tank. I realised this the other day. In a single morning, we video called our old friends in Capetown, a worldschooling family in Barcelona who we are collaboratingContinue reading “Homeschool Rules #3: The Global Classroom”

Homeschool Rules #2: Fix Up, Look Sharp

Anna Dusseau | 31st March 2020 “This is Homeschool HQ to Gavin’s mum. Put the pjs down and step away from the biscuit tin! I repeat: PUT. THE. PJS. DOWN. This is not a drill!” Hello. Are you Gavin’s mum, by any chance? Or Gavin’s dad, come to think of it? Because we are nowContinue reading “Homeschool Rules #2: Fix Up, Look Sharp”

Homeschool Rules #1: 101 Ideas for Homeschooling this Week

Anna Dusseau | 30th March 2020 1.Play pirates! Turn the sofa or duvet into a pirate ship, dress up, pack for your voyage, use the globe to locate where you’re going in the world and finish with a treasure map or the secret diary of a stowaway! 2. Cloud spotting. Lie on your backs inContinue reading “Homeschool Rules #1: 101 Ideas for Homeschooling this Week”

Our Homeschool Timetable: the Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Anna Dusseau | 26th March 2020 Boy, this week has been tough! I wish I could say otherwise. In spite of the glorious sunshine, I would describe yesterday in particular as one gigantic clusterfuck with tiny moments of magic along the way. A metaphor for life, you say? Oh, come on now; surely you’re notContinue reading “Our Homeschool Timetable: the Good, the Bad and the Ugly”

Going Nowhere: Why a Global Mindset is More Important Than Ever Right Now

Anna Dusseau | 25th March 2020 I am, like you, stuck at home. We are doing our best to keep spirits up and minds focused, but it’s not easy. Not when you allow yourself a glimpse of what’s going on across the world. I absolutely understand the struggle for parents to homeschool their children rightContinue reading “Going Nowhere: Why a Global Mindset is More Important Than Ever Right Now”

He Said, She Said: Resolving Sibling Disputes

Anna Dusseau | 25th March 2020 Kids kicking off? Hungry for a fresh order of parenting wisdom? Look no further than the Homeschool Guru’s sizzling takeaway menu (the restaurant is closed) where fury tastes better with a side order of sarcasm. Oi! (The Classic) Always a winner, this is the number one reprimand of choice.Continue reading “He Said, She Said: Resolving Sibling Disputes”

Fake It To Make It (Or Why Radio 4 Women’s Hour Missed the Point)

Anna Dusseau | 24th March 2020 Oh, what? Did I forget to mention that I was recently interviewed on BBC Radio 4 Women’s Hour? Apologies. I’ve been so busy going round telling anyone who’ll listen (my mum, the kids, the bathroom mirror, and teenwolf) that it must have slipped my mind to mention it inContinue reading “Fake It To Make It (Or Why Radio 4 Women’s Hour Missed the Point)”

Gettin’ Jiggy with It: Fresh Air and Exercise Homeschool Style

Anna Dusseau | 23rd March 2020 Happy Monday, guys! How’s everyone doing? Today marks the start of the official UK school closure and I hope you’re all coping okay. Believe me, even experienced homeschool families are struggling here, with cabin fever causing parents and children alike to resort to foot-stamping temper tantrums, like Big BrotherContinue reading “Gettin’ Jiggy with It: Fresh Air and Exercise Homeschool Style”

The Soundtrack to Sanity

Anna Dusseau | 20th March 2020 The best advice anyone gave me regarding parenting was to have the radio on in the background. That’s it! You’re welcome. But seriously, this passing comment has absolutely shaped my homeschool style and serves as a basis for keeping me calm and engaged throughout the day. Of course, theContinue reading “The Soundtrack to Sanity”

Strange Times: Skyping to Make Sense of the World

Anna Dusseau | 18th March 2020 Yesterday felt weird. After the giddy realisation of the PM’s speech on Monday – significantly ramping up the COVID-19 containment effort and advising the UK to avoid all unnecessary travel and contact – things felt quite different, all of a sudden. A few schools with dwindling numbers are stillContinue reading “Strange Times: Skyping to Make Sense of the World”

Heigh-Ho It’s Home From Work We Go: Rules for Remote Working with Happy and Grumpy

Anna Dusseau | 17th March 2020 I still get the words wrong to this. It just seems like the lyrics should be ‘it’s off to work we go’, am I right? I mean okay, 1930s Disney-lovers, I get that it doesn’t work so well with the story line, but in terms of the iambic rhythm,Continue reading “Heigh-Ho It’s Home From Work We Go: Rules for Remote Working with Happy and Grumpy”

The Reading Nest: A Study in Multisensory Learning

Anna Dusseau | 16th March 2020 My kids have this annoying habit of dismantling the furniture. How it came to be that these pint-sized people have the strength and determination before breakfast to transform our old leather sofa into a fortress, I don’t honestly know, but this is how I often find the kitchen arrangedContinue reading “The Reading Nest: A Study in Multisensory Learning”

No School? No Problem! The Calm Mama’s Guide to Surviving the COVID-19 Quarantine

Anna Dusseau | 13th March 2020 Parents, brace yourselves. Because it’s looking increasingly likely that UK schools will soon be following Europe by closing their doors in an international effort to contain – or at least delay – the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Perhaps as you are reading this, you have just received theContinue reading “No School? No Problem! The Calm Mama’s Guide to Surviving the COVID-19 Quarantine”

Top Pick of Board Games for Family Downtime

Anna Dusseau | 12th March 2020 It’s a rainy Thursday afternoon and there’s nothing much to do. The morning was a caffeine-fulled adventure into papier mache death masks and rescuing a family of toads from the end of the garden where they seemed intent on seeking the afterlife themselves upon the grave driveway beyond. AndContinue reading “Top Pick of Board Games for Family Downtime”

The Science of Growing Old: Why Homeschooling is Good for Your Brain

Anna Dusseau | 11th March 2020 What did Helen Mirren say about ageing, again? ‘You only have two options in life: die young or get old. There is nothing else.’ Ouch, Helen! Surely not? Although I suppose what she means is that we are all, inevitably, getting older because – well – there’s actually noContinue reading “The Science of Growing Old: Why Homeschooling is Good for Your Brain”

The Definitive Reading List if You’re Just Starting Out

Anna Dusseau | 10th March 2020 First off, I want to say that this is not actually a list. Apologies for the title. My blogging guru Elna Cain told me readers love lists, so I thought this would make a catchy title; however, like everything in homeschooling, I found myself writing this post a bit..differently?Continue reading “The Definitive Reading List if You’re Just Starting Out”

Another Manic Monday? Take Control Now!

Anna Dusseau | 9th March 2020 Happy Monday, homeschoolers! It’s the start of a new week; celebrities in surgical masks are already being snapped on their way to the gym and the PM is looking bleary-eyed after another night of emergency meetings and, one can only suppose, locating bottles of Gaviscon for his fiery-haired babyContinue reading “Another Manic Monday? Take Control Now!”

15 Awkward Questions You’ll Get Asked About Homeschooling (and How to Answer Them)

Anna Dusseau | 4th March 2020 Let me guess. You’re loving homeschooling, right? I mean, I know we all have our ups and downs, but if you can recall, that was what the school routine was like, too. In fact, if I’m really honest with myself, almost every single day when my daughter was inContinue reading “15 Awkward Questions You’ll Get Asked About Homeschooling (and How to Answer Them)”

How Homeschooling Happens

Anna Dusseau | 2nd March 2020 This was definitely not the plan. Homeschooling happened to us, the same way it happened to most of the families I have met since, by surprise. And I mean birthday party surprise. Not the sarcastic surprise of a flat tyre, but the kind that lights up your whole face.Continue reading “How Homeschooling Happens”