New Years Eve

Well I was a little nervous but I needn't have been!

On New Years Eve, I set off in the afternoon with nibbles and some new year print outs from Activity Village (fab site- thanks Lou) I had not driven to this house in Cambridge before, but knew whereabouts it was in Cambridge, I set my SatNav and off we went. It took 45 mins to get there, but that went really quickly.

I knew this home educator from a few years back when Jasmine was being home educated, we have kept in touch via email and phone. So we were amongst friends straight away. This was our first home ed meeting we have gone to since the beginning of 2008 as it was that year in June that Jasmine went to school.

I have to say it felt relaxed and so good to be back. It was so lovely to be in another home educators house, who had as many books as we have! There were 5 other families there, though I think not all of them were home educators but the majority were. I was pleased to see several aged 8 yr old girls who J went off with and happily played. Theo sat on my knee most of the time, he played with some of the toys that were there, but there was no pressure from anyone for him to have to go off and I think this helped him a lot, unlike preschool and school where he has been forced to leave me. In the last hour he ventured off looking for J and happily played near me, but was very relaxed and content.

We went to the home ed meeting to get a feel for how many children turn up to things and what ages, genders are there. There were no boys Theo's age, but there were some girls. Theo however gets on well with children older than him anyway. I was hoping the issue of socialisation would be resolved for me helping me to make the decision to pull Theo out of school this month. And I have to say it has helped me!

I will be applying this week for Theo to have 2 weeks authorised absence from school so we can try out home ed and go to some sessions in Cambridge, if this goes well, I will then de-register him from school. Not sure what J makes of this, but she knows when she chooses it she can come out too. I will see how she goes on then make the decision for her. Dave still not happy about Theo losing his place, he calls being in a class of 31 a 'prime place' and wants me to let Theo stay at school to complete the year before making a decision. I see no reason to wait.

Now where is that holiday form ......