This week, Ashley pops in solo to launch something new and fun for our community—the BIG Home Ed Book Club! Think bite-sized, practical reflections you can listen to on a walk, while folding laundry, or between activities. In this intro, Ashley:

• Shares why we’re starting a book club now (hello accountability and actually finishing the gems on our shelves)
• Walks through the books on her current list and why they matter for home-educating families
• Explains how the series will work: short recaps, key takeaways, surprises, and who each book is best for—even if you don’t read along!

Books mentioned

• The Four-Hour School Day by Durenda Wilson — Next week’s pick!
• The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
• Untangled by Lisa Damour
• The Case for Make-Believe by Susan Linn
• Between by Sarah Ockwell-Smith
• Hold On to Your Kids by Gordon Neufeld and Gabor Maté
• Hunt, Gather, Parent by Michaeleen Doucleff
• Peaceful Parent, Happy Siblings by Dr. Laura Markham
• The Read-Aloud Family by Sarah Mackenzie
• Let Them Be Kids by Jessica Smartt
• Raising Critical Thinkers by Julie Bogart

What’s next

• Read along: The Four-Hour School Day by Durenda Wilson
• Ashley will share a practical, no-fluff recap next week: big ideas, what surprised her, and how to apply it in real life

Why this series will help

• Quick refreshers so the good stuff actually sticks
• Support for parents at different stages—from little years to tweens and teens
• Curated, relevant reads for UK home ed families (and beyond)

Links

• Read-Aloud Revival: readaloudrevival.com (book lists, podcast, family book club)
• Follow us on TikTok and Instagram: @bighomeedpodcast
• Podcast page: www.offroadingmotherhood.co.uk/podcast

If you’re new here This is a bonus mini-episode. For our usual conversations, start with earlier episodes to get a feel for our style and mission! In the mean time don't forget to:

• Subscribe so you don’t miss the first book club review!
• Share this episode with a home ed friend who loves a good book stack!
• Leave a review on Apple Podcasts to help others find us!!

Keywords: home education, homeschooling, book club, home ed resources, Durenda Wilson, The Four-Hour School Day, parenting books, tween parenting, read-alouds, Julie Bogart, UK home education

Newly deregistered or just beginning your home ed journey this September? You’re in the right place.

In the final episode of the “Get Your Head Straight to Home Ed” series, Kelly Rigg (home education mindset coach and co-host of the BIG Home Ed Conversations Podcast) shares a calm, practical 90‑day plan to help you find your feet without recreating school at home.

Kelly’s simple three-Rs framework:

Regulate: Lower stress by meeting basic needs first—breath, water, food, sleep, movement, and sensory decompression. Expect dysregulation after leaving school; make space for it.

Reconnect: Rebuild trust and joy with 10 minutes of undivided attention, low-pressure outings, and child-led choices. Get their buy-in before booking clubs to avoid resentment.

Read the room (Observe): Light-touch notes on what lights them up, what frustrates them, and where you connect. Spot patterns and gently follow their rabbit holes—without overengineering and killing the spark.

You’ll learn:

Why the early 'mess' is normal—and how to reduce overwhelm fast!

How to balance your needs with theirs (boundaries and compromises that work.)

What to do if your kids ask to go back to school (and why that feeling is common.)

How much “education time” you actually need (hint: far less than a school day!)

Permission slips: it’s okay to pause, scrap a plan, or write off a day (or longer!) Focus on meeting those needs, reconnecting and noticing and you will lay the best foundations for your home ed journey.

Helpful resources:

Get Your Head Straight to Home Ed Workbook and the First 30 Days of Home Ed calendar (daily prompts to regulate, reconnect, and observe): www.offroadingmotherhood.co.uk/work-with-me

What’s up next:

Ashley’s Book Club mini-series kicks off next week! Your chance to find out what we have been loving reading lately!

Season 4 (Fresh Perspectives) starts early October with inspiring guests and conversations that stretch curiosity and empathy towards individuals in our diverse communities who are seriously under-represented in education. Subscribe now to make sure you don't miss it!

Join the conversation:

Are you just starting out or still have questions? Share with us on Instagram or TikTok @bighomeedpodcast.

Keywords: home education UK, starting home education, first 90 days home ed, deschooling, home education mindset, deregistration UK, home ed routine, neurodivergent home education, gentle parenting, unschooling principles

Feeling the urge to buy new pens or lunchboxes—even though your kids aren’t going “back to school”?

You’re not alone!

In this heartfelt episode, Kelly and Ashley dive deep into the rituals and traditions that sneak into home education, and how social conditioning around “back-to-school” can trigger anxiety, guilt, or FOMO—even for seasoned home ed families.

We unpack:

• Why back-to-school shopping and new routines tug at our emotions (even when we know we don’t need them)
• The difference between meaningful family traditions and habits that are just social pressure in disguise
• How to create authentic, empowering rituals that suit your unique home ed lifestyle
• Letting go of external judgment, performance anxiety, and the need to “keep up”
• Practical ways to build core memories and intentional family traditions—without the overwhelm
• Plus, we share real-life stories, gentle mindset shifts, and plenty of laughs about muddy camping clothes, first impressions, and the power of saying “no” to unnecessary expectations.

This summer, Outschool have offered us a sponsored opportunity to use—and honestly review—their learning platform right here on the podcast. Go listen to what we have to say!

If you’d like to take advantage of the offer we mention, head to www.outschool.com/HOMEED and use code HOMEED35 to get $35 off your family’s first month! Perfect for home educating parents in the UK (and beyond!) who want to break free from school-based conditioning, trust their instincts, and build a home ed life that feels good all year round.

Let us know: What rituals or pressures are you letting go of this year? Drop us a message on Instagram or TikTok @bighomeedpodcast!