Sign up to the BBC Bitesize newsletter! External Link
For home education news and stories plus updates on the latest Bitesize content, register for our newsletter today.
How do I manage my family’s wellbeing while educating my child at home?
Your family's mental health and wellbeing is the backbone to any home education approach. There’s lots you can do to help, including:
- Accepting that things won't go right all of the time.
- Talking and sharing how you're feeling.
- Listening to what your children have to say.
- Taking time to look after yourself - but it's okay if your children see you struggling.
Video - How to manage your wellbeing as a parent with Sophie Ellis-Bextor
Singer and mum-of-five Sophie Ellis-Bextor teams up with other parents to explain how you can stay on top of things.
Sophie Ellis-Bextor:
It’s a lot to deal with, you know. It’s a lot to adjust to as a family. This isn’t really how we planned to be living our lives. It’s OK to say that. And we’ll just get through it one day at a time and here’s some tips from other people about how you can keep yourself in the best shape possible with your wellbeing.
Louise:
You can’t always be 100%. Sometimes you don’t feel 100% for whatever reason and so to have those days where we just take a step back, watch a movie, go out for a walk, do some drawing, play some games, do those sorts of things rather than the structured learning. And I think it’s OK to sometimes to show the children that actually you’re struggling as well because that’s a life lesson right there, isn’t it? -To know that we all struggle –Yeah, 100% and it’s how we then deal with it by taking a few moments to ourself.
Yickman:
We’re just careful to make sure that we talk and speak with each other to see how we’re doing not just the kids, us two as well. It’s important to be able to offload and talk about how you’ve been feeling -because without that –I like that you kind of bottle it all up. Sometimes you’ll be quite surprised on what they come out with because you might miss certain things so I think that when you have that time to sit together as a family and talk about your highs, your lows of the week it’s great because it really helps to bond you together as well. I love you guys.
Rhi:
It’s a really, really difficult time and I think the first step to dealing with it is just acknowledging that you’re not alone and literally everyone is struggling. It’s a difficult time, children know there’s something wrong they don’t know exactly what it is and when your toddlers are saying ‘Mummy, when coronavirus is gone…’ sometimes that is enough to send you over the edge. Honestly, at the moment, while we’re all on this coronacoaster we have to be kind to ourselves and our children and expect to find things difficult that otherwise we perhaps wouldn’t.
Sophie Ellis-Bextor:
So, in this wobbly world there are a few things you can do. Just accept that and deal with it as a family, as a team. this is an extraordinary thing we’re going through at the moment. Whatever you’re doing, you’re doing a great job. Hang in there!
This is extraordinary times so cut yourself some slack.
This video was recorded during the Covid-19 pandemic. We hope the advice will remain relevant and helpful to parents educating their children at home.
Home education hacks: Looking after your family’s mental health and wellbeing
- Accept that things won't go right all the time. If structured learning isn't working for you or your children, don't feel guilty about taking a step back, like going for a walk or doing some drawing together. There are lots of ways kids can learn outside of their lessons.
- It's okay if your children see you struggling. Take the time to look after yourself and give them a good life lesson for when they're finding things difficult themselves.
- Talk and share how you're feeling regularly. After a while, your child will feel more at ease sharing their own thoughts and feelings with you!
- You might be surprised how much children notice about the family's wellbeing. Listen to what they have to say.
Where can I find more support for home education and parenting?
The BBC Bitesize home education collection is designed to support you and your child’s learning at home with free resources for early years and foundation stage (EYFS), primary and secondary-age students.
Bitesize Parents’ Toolkit is the go-to place for the whole parenting community to find stories, expert advice and fun activities.
If your child has special educational needs and / or disabilities, be sure to check out the Parents’ Toolkit SEND collection.
For more information about home education, these BBC News articles cover the rise in families deciding to educate their children at home and, from 2021, the impact of Covid on home education.