Adjusting
We have been enjoying meeting up with people over the last
few months. It is so good to see people and catch up. Although we have been in
touch and kept updated online with many
friends and family it is not the same as seeing someone and letting the
conversation flow. With people that we have known for many years and stayed in
touch with it feels very natural to carry on as if we saw them just a few weeks
ago. It is however different for the children, they are sometimes slightly hesitant
at first and understandably so if it is someone they do not actually know that
well and have not seen for 3 years – for the youngest that is nearly half his
life!
Re-visiting old haunts - Portishead, North Somerset |
Some parts of settling back have been harder to arrange than
others. It is 6 months now since we arrived back and contrary to popular belief,
money is not just handed out to anyone who steps over the border into Britain . We are
still waiting for child benefit (a universal benefit given to all parents to
help with costs of raising a child) to be re-instated despite having previously
been in the system.
Re-visiting old haunts Wedmore, Somerset |
One of the biggest adjustments for the whole family was the
children’s education. All parents worry about schooling. You worry about
whether you are doing the right thing, have you covered too much, not enough,
the right things. We worried about how they would settle back in. The
enthusiasm they have approached school with and the energy they are putting
into joining in with all the opportunities available has been wonderful to see.
They seem to be learning a mixture of new stuff and things which we have
covered. There was also not only getting used to a new school but for the
youngest who had never been to school lots of new things to learn about;
assembly, registration, a bell to signal time and sitting cross legged on the
carpet. My message for all of you who think about returning to real life and
are concerned is yes, it is possible for boat kids to return to school, fit in,
enjoy themselves and make friends.
Times table tiles |
Possibly the question of most interest to those who are home
educating is what do I have to teach?
What are the important bits in hind sight? I would personally suggest that the best
gifts to give any child are a love of reading and a love of learning. On a more
practical note, if you intend re-entering formal education at any point then for
any child the basic building blocks will make any further learning much
simpler: correct letter shape formation, an understanding of phonics and knowledge
of the times tables. With those firmly under your belt anything is possible.
Wishing you all a nice half term.
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