Once my children start with a project or some interest they resist being disturbed (which is wonderful for learning and concentration). Unfortunately the balance between what is gained by attending a Montessori preschool, which WILL end in a few months for good, and what will eventually be his everyday reality is tricky. If he is ready to home educate should I stop him? Should I insist he attend a ‘school’ when really I know that my children learn so well outside of institutions? The Montessori Preschool is a wonderful place, I’ve even worked there in the past. It’s not as clear cut as say ‘not sending him to a primary/elementary class’. I’m still not clear on this, so I’ve edged my bets both ways. Room has been made for him in our ‘home ed room’ with a desk of his own, or ‘designated D zone’ (just for interest I’ve added a picture of our shelves which we’ve recently added to thanks to a friend who is no longer home educating) and he attended the preschool after taking two days off to finish his project. It was what concluded his anger issues, as he was able to voice himself clearly and was listened to in EVERY way. Our environment changed to support him, the way I was around him folded into his needs, there was EVERY thing he needed right at hand. When his project was finished (which is far too complex to explain but involved labeling power points for safety, lots of construction and conversations, building, playing and WRITING!!!! which is TOTALLY new!) we had an exhausted boy who was crying out for rules and structure and strict guidelines for bed etc. Which he was very happy and welcoming for.

Those two days off preschool were VERY stressful for me. The anger he had towards me personally was awful. I worked hard to not take it personally. The Four Agreements came in MIGHTY handy!

At the end of that long and lengthy process we had a sleepy boy asleep and absolutely no problems with getting to preschool the next day! He was keen and interested and wanted to learn. A couple of days later we had one of his preschool friends over for a play date, which brings me to what M has been up to all this time!!!

WE HAVE A CAFE!

M has been cooking in the kitchen!… I mean ‘Sunflower Cafe’!

Pancakes, cheesy omelets, tea and coffee and hot chocolate, sandwiches, stripey toast and soup, the list goes on!

It’s a ‘free’ community cafe and so far every time we have visitors the kitchen gets transformed and the white board has a list of specials! M started by wanting to cheer me up as my Grandad is unwell in hospital. After loosing my Nana a few months ago I’m having a harder time with my Grandad going through the same thing, and I grew up only 7 houses away from them so I do find my memories flooding my mind and some distortion happening….. I get sad and cry with little warning, grief takes time. Anyway my little M, all of 8, abandoned her reading of Harry Potter books (although she has read them all at least 5 times each) and set up the kitchen with tea lights, wine glasses filled with juice or water (four in total) a plate of pancakes with chocolate sauce to share and instructed J to light a sparkler that was stuck in the ground out the back when she opened the back door with me being lead with eyes closed. More tears, but joyful ones. M J and D and I shared the yummy food (which was so light and fluffy and gluten and lactose free ; ) my Nana would have been impressed!)

M is older in every way and also more clingy as she goes through a growth spurt. D is confident and more solo, as what he had been going through those days off preschool was a growth spurt too… he even LOOKS older now!

OK, back to it! Watching children grow is the loveliest!!!