If you’ve found yourself frustrated with today’s education system, you’re not alone. Many parents are quietly questioning whether schools are truly preparing children for life, or simply shaping them to comply. But here’s the truth: we’re not powerless. In fact, by continuing to participate in systems we disagree with, we unintentionally perpetuate them. Silence is a form of consent. But choice? That’s where our power begins.
If you feel the system isn’t aligned with your child’s best interests, you can make a change. For some, that means stepping out completely - choosing to homeschool or join learning pods. For others, a full withdrawal may not be feasible. That’s okay. Change doesn’t have to be all or nothing. You can still make a profound difference by counterbalancing what’s missing.
Start with what you can offer at home:
- Teach your child to listen to their inner guidance.
- Help them understand resilience and emotional regulation.
- Show them how to question manipulation, spot red flags, and speak with confidence.
- Involve them in real-life skills: growing food, budgeting, cooking, repairing, or building.
- Support their health, not just academically, but holistically: through nourishment, movement, and rest.
- Encourage a healthy relationship with technology, balanced with time in nature, with animals, and the living world around them. Caring for a pet is a powerful practice in empathy, responsibility, and connection.
- Talk about values over approval and model what it means to live with integrity.
It may feel like swimming against the tide at first. But consider the long-term consequence of staying silent. If we want the next generation to thrive (not just survive) we must model a different way.
This isn’t about blame. It’s about remembering we are the system. And when enough of us choose differently, the ripple becomes a wave.
I invite you to join us on a weekly 30-minute podcast, ‘All Learning Reimagined’. https://bbsradio.com/alllearningreimagined Each week we discuss topics and publish a short article or resources to assist in living learning.
Enjoy!
Teresa
Homework Alternative
The first column is expected to be completed weekly and then children choose other options as inspired. They are expected to complete the entire grid over a term. If there is something in particular which they did not resonate with, they had to negotiate a suitable alternative activity.
|
Home Learning Grid |
|||
|
Must complete weekly |
Choose 1 or 2 each week. You must complete the whole grid over the term. |
||
|
Chores Family negotiated Age appropriate (empty bins, make bed, wash up, clean car, water plants) |
Care for pet or animals
(clean bird bath, walk dog, clean kitty litter) |
Music Play an instrument Listen to music Write a song Sing |
Random acts of kindness Or Help someone in need |
|
Exercise or Sport |
Create Draw/paint Build Write |
Garden Mow / trim Grow Harvest Hug a tree |
Cook or assist with preparation |
|
Read Anything of interest |
Passion project.
Choose something you love to do
|
Play
Card game or board game |
100% Technology free day (including television) |
|
Gratitude journal List 3 things I am grateful for 1. 2. 3. |
Reflect List 3 things working well 3 things not working well. What can you do about it? |
Speak your Truth Dear _____, I would like you to know…. |
Plan timetable for the next week – organise your own schedule |
|
Play – no tech or Rest
|
Research or ask questions of interest |
Humour Tell 3 jokes or do something make someone laugh. |
Date with _______ Choose family member to spend 1:1 time with.
|
Before creating the home learning grid, I met with parents in a face to face or phone interview and negotiated what the tasks would look like to suit the family lifestyle, the parent values and child’s ability and interest. I had full support from home and many single parents expressed gratitude at not having to argue about homework.
The result?
-
Happier home life
-
More relevance
-
Deeping of relationships
-
Children feeling more supported
The following term. Children were expected to give feedback on the grid and submit suggestions for changes or ideas. We had group and class discussions on ideas and heart stormed them. They were fully engaged and took control of learning. They loved progress. Adapt this to suit your circumstances!
