In this episode of the Big Home Ed Conversations, hosts Kelly Rigg and Ashley Venario discuss the challenges of home education, particularly during life events that can lead to slumps that can make you feel like nothing is going right, or that you may never get your flow again. They emphasize the importance of self-compassion for parents and children, recognizing where you are still moving forward, and the need for huge flexibility in educational approaches when times get hard. The conversation highlights that learning continues in various forms, even when traditional structures are disrupted, and offers strategies for gradually reintroducing routines to help stabilise things again. Ultimately, the hosts encourage listeners to embrace the unique journey of home education and to find balance amidst the chaos.

Keywords: home education, parenting, neurodivergent families, educational slumps, self-compassion, learning through life, flexibility in education, overcoming challenges, family dynamics, home schooling

In this bonus solo episode, Kelly Rigg discusses the mindset shifts necessary for families considering home education. She shares her personal journey into home education, emphasizing the importance of de-schooling and understanding the practical steps involved in deregistering a child from school. The conversation highlights the empowerment of families to make educational choices that suit their unique needs and the importance of questioning traditional educational norms.

This is part of a series 'Get your head straight to home ed!' that will be posted throughout the summer, look out for the accompanying workbook at www.offroadingmotherhood.co.uk/workwithme to help your family make this decision feeling supported and empowered.

Takeaways

In this episode, Kelly Rigg and Ashley Vanerio discuss the importance of breaking from from the 'sit down' culture' in education and the need for movement in learning, the role of play, and the significance of mental well-being in the educational process. The conversation emphasizes breaking free from traditional education methods and the importance of routines, sensory engagement, and fostering curiosity in children. They also highlight the impact of environment on learning and the need for a more holistic approach to education that values individual needs and interests.

Follow us @bighomeedpodcast on Tiktok and Instagram

Don't miss our summer bonus episodes on Getting your head straight to home ed!

Takeaways: 

In this episode of the Big Home Ed podcast, hosts Kelly Rigg and Ashley Vanerio end up having a light debate about the evolving role of AI in home education. They explore how AI can streamline educational processes, enhance creativity, and provide support for parents but also addresses concerns about the impact of AI on critical thinking and the importance of balancing technology use with traditional learning methods. The hosts share personal anecdotes and practical applications of AI in their daily lives, emphasizing the need for intentional use of technology to enrich the home education experience.

Keywords: home education, AI in education, parenting, creative storytelling, educational technology, homeschooling, personal development, critical thinking, generational perspectives, learning strategies, homeschool planning, home education planning, busy work, reducing overwhelm, parenting hacks

In this episode Kelly Rigg & Ashley Vanerio chat to Luna Flowerday, radical unschooler and worldschooler who is currently travelling the world with her husband and three children. 

Starting bus life during covid, pregnant with a toddler was a bold choice and one that has lead to years of joy, challenges for sure, but a whole other outlook on life and how it can be lived.

In this episode we cover the truths about worldschooling, how little stuff you really need, how much less it costs to travel full time than to run a home and how achievable and possible this life truly is with some imagination and perseverance. 

So whether you are a home educator or not, if you ever dream about ditching the social constructs we see ourselves feeling trapped in today, take a listen and tell us what you think!

Follow us over on TikTok or Instagram at @Bighomeedpodcasts and follow Luna too @lunaflowerday. 

If you want to learn more about how you can make this lifestyle become a reality then head to her store: https://stan.store/LunaFlowerday. 

See you next week for an impromptu debate between myself and Ashley about the use of AI in home education! Eeek! That was so much fun to record so looking forward to hearing your thoughts.

Keywords: Worldschool, affording worldschooling, work from home ideas, home education, homeschooling, roadschooling, bus life, travelling with kids, travel tips for parents, parenting tips, places to travel with kids, real experience, real worldschooler 

In this episode, Kelly and Ashley discuss the feelings and reflections that arise as the 'school year' comes to a close, as home educators we don't always adhere to the concepts of school years/grade levels and otherwise - but we do still have some hang ups that like to rear their ugly heads this time of year. In this episode, Kelly and Ashley reflect on how this time of year has made them feel, what it inspires us to do over the summer and how this can be turned into a positive, reflective and joyful time of year as easily as it could end up being stressful. The conversation emphasizes the significance of trusting the home education process, reducing anxiety, and recognizing the progress made throughout the year.

Find us on Instagram and Tiktok @bighomeedpodcast - don't forget to rate if you loved this episode! 

Keywords: home education, school year, learning, flexibility, planning, summer break, school anxiety, parenting, education, reflections, end of term, summer holidays, unschooling, parenting, motherhood, reframing, mindset, limiting beliefs, deschooling, deregistering, changing mindsets around education

In this episode, Kelly Rigg and Ashley Vanerio discuss their journey in home education, reflecting on their podcast's evolution and the importance of individual learning paths. They share personal anecdotes about family dynamics, gratitude, and the challenges of parenting. The conversation emphasizes the significance of values in education and different learning styles, encouraging listeners to embrace their unique approaches to home education. In this conversation, they discuss the evolution of their educational methods, whether its a more school-like approach to unschooling to a more structured yet flexible approach that prioritizes child-led learning. The conversation also touches on the significance of fostering a positive parent-child relationship and the values that guide their educational philosophy. Additionally, they reflect on their podcast's growth and share plans for future episodes, highlighting the importance of community feedback.

Follow us over on @bighomeedpodcast on instagram and tiktok! Let us know who you want to hear from in upcoming interviews and please do share the podcast with a friend! 

In this episode, Kelly Rigg and Ashley Vanerio discuss their reactions and lasting feelings after the interview last week with Wendy Charles-Warner, Co-Chair of Education Otherwise. They emphasize the importance of community support, the need for a unified approach to advocacy, and the ongoing fight for home education rights. The hosts address stereotypes, government agendas, and the necessity for compassionate dialogue while highlighting the value of home education in promoting diversity and creativity in society. In this conversation, Kelly Rigg and Ashley Vanerio discuss the implications of the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill affecting home education, focusing on the burdensome reporting requirements for parents, the perceived overreach of government control, and the emotional toll on families. They critically examine the narrative that schools are inherently safer for children and advocate for parental rights and autonomy in education. The discussion emphasizes the importance of building relationships with children and the need for community advocacy to protect these rights.

Share you thoughts and feedback with Kelly and Ashley on TikTok and Instagram @bighomeedpodcast

Sign the petition mentioned in the podcast here:

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/716515?fbclid=IwY2xjawKv8GNleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFvNHVwTzZEVlMzWURiZmMxAR63S6Urz5MQUOqJZh9q4JoJIfNjHH81vVn18umW96KqfDCbkHgxbkwjulZnLg_aem_s4NWwDJ_dlbFAGa5FcX1Yw 

Keywords: home education, rights, community, legislation, misconceptions, government agenda, financial support, compassionate dialogue, education diversity, home educators, home education, parental rights, government overreach, children's safety, education policy, homeschooling, family values, safeguarding, education reform, community advocacy

In this episode, May 2025, Kelly Rigg and Wendy Charles-Warner discuss the ongoing Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill, its implications for home education, and the community's response. They explore the current status of the bill in Parliament, concerns regarding registration and data requirements, and the potential impact on families, particularly those under scrutiny from social services. The conversation emphasizes the importance of community activism, the role of media in advocacy, and the need for parents to overcome fear and take action to protect their rights. In this conversation, Wendy Charles-Warner and Kelly Rigg discuss the complexities and challenges surrounding home education, particularly in light of proposed government registration measures. They explore the limitations of government oversight, the need for funding and support for home educators, and the impact of draconian measures on relationships between parents and local authorities. The discussion emphasizes the importance of celebrating diversity in education and the ideological motivations behind current education policies. Ultimately, they advocate for parental rights and the need for a more supportive approach to home education.

Share you thoughts and feedback with Kelly and Ashley on TikTok and Instagram @bighomeedpodcast

Sign the petition mentioned in the podcast here:

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/716515?fbclid=IwY2xjawKv8GNleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFvNHVwTzZEVlMzWURiZmMxAR63S6Urz5MQUOqJZh9q4JoJIfNjHH81vVn18umW96KqfDCbkHgxbkwjulZnLg_aem_s4NWwDJ_dlbFAGa5FcX1Yw 

Keywords:

Children's Wellbeing, Schools Bill, Home Education, Parental Rights, Social Services, Education Otherwise, Community Activism, Legislative Process, Family Rights, Education Policy, home education, registration, government oversight, funding, support, education policy, parental rights, diversity, advocacy

In this episode, Kelly Rigg and Ashley Vanerio discuss the joys of home education, particularly focusing on the insane benefits of world schooling, learning through travel and experiences. They reflect on their own experiences with travel, how it serves as a powerful teacher for children, and the importance of contextual learning. The conversation emphasizes the value of creating relevant and engaging learning opportunities for children through real-world experiences, allowing children time to delve into their own child-led interests, and the benefits of embracing tangents in learning. The discussion emphasizes the joy of learning for its own sake and the importance of fostering a curious mindset in both children and adults and the benefit that brings us in life.

Keywords:

home education, experiential learning, travel, parenting, education, homeschooling, family, learning, nature, wildlife, homeschooling, learning, curiosity, education, ocean exploration, hands-on activities, flexibility in education, lifelong learning, parenting, experiential learning, worldschooling, travelling with kids.