In this episode of the BIG Home Ed Conversations Podcast, Kelly and Ashley get real about adultism—the often-unquestioned power imbalance between adults and children. Inspired by fellow home educating mum and respected expert on Adultism, Eloise Rickman and her book 'It's Not Fair', they reflect on how even the most conscious parents can slip into controlling patterns, and what it means to truly respect kids as full people.

They discuss:

• What adultism is, and how it shows up in everyday family life.
• The challenge of letting go of control as kids grow and assert themselves.
• Why children’s rights and autonomy matter (and why most of us never learned about them.)
• The impact of language, discipline, and school structures on children’s self-worth.
• Personal stories about food battles, bodily autonomy, and learning to find a balance between protection and control.
• How to balance safety, boundaries and respect—without losing your mind as a parent!

Kelly and Ashley share honest moments of vulnerability, cringe from some seriously eye opening moments experienced whilst reading, and how important growth is in this area, as well as offering practical ways to shift from a power-over dynamic to a more collaborative, compassionate approach.

They highlight the importance of compromise, self-reflection, and community support for parents doing this work.

Take it further: Listen in for inspiration, solidarity, and practical ideas to help you rethink your own patterns and raise more empowered, respected kids. Join the conversation on Instagram or TikTok @bighomeedpodcast, or via the blog www.offroadingmotherhood.co.uk/blog

Don't forget to grab a copy of Eloise Rickman's book, 'It's Not Fair' to take your journey down this road further

Keywords: adultism, respectful parenting, children’s rights, home education UK, conscious parenting, autonomy for kids, power dynamics, BIG Home Ed Conversations Podcast

• Why over half of the world’s refugee children are currently out of school
• The hidden barriers refugee learners face in the UK (language, trauma, missing records, complex systems)
• How academic potential is misjudged when language and PTSD get mistaken for “low ability”
• Incredible resilience and self‑motivation – from teens fighting to sit GCSEs to those dreaming of rebuilding their home countries
• The emotional impact of prejudice, othering and hostile narratives about refugees
• How schools can better recognise prior learning (mother‑tongue GCSEs, accelerated learning, subject‑specific language support)
• What home‑educating families can do to talk about refugees, challenge stereotypes and raise more compassionate kids

• The Boy at the Back of the Class by Onjali Q. Raúf - Get it here.
• Refugee Education UK - https://www.reuk.org/donate

In this powerful episode of the BIG Home Ed Conversations Podcast, Kelly and Ashley sit down with author, educator and neurodivergent advocate Helen Daniel to unpack ableism in the education system through the lens of SEND and neurodivergence.

Drawing on Helen’s experience as a teacher, academic and author of Neurosensory Divergence: Autistic Languages, they explore how a system built on standardisation often fails autistic and otherwise neurodivergent children – and what more equitable, sensory-aware education could look like, both in school and in home ed.

Together they dive into:

• How curriculum changes and raised targets (times tables, Shakespeare, early formal writing) pushed more neurodivergent children “outside the norm.”
• Why standardisation is the enemy of equity – and why one-size-fits-all schooling doesn’t work for diverse brains.
• EHCPs, SEND provision and why the system feels broken for so many families.
• Sensory profiles, overload and meltdowns: what’s really going on beneath “behaviour.”
• Practical examples of small, powerful accommodations (movement, video learning, headphones, flexible seating.)
• How home ed groups can unintentionally replicate ableism – and how to design more inclusive spaces.
• Teaching all children (ND and NT) compassion, curiosity and respect for different needs.

This is a validating, eye-opening listen for:

• Parents of autistic, ADHD, PDA or otherwise neurodivergent children.
• Home educating families navigating SEND needs.
• Teachers who feel the system is wrong but don’t know how to change it.
• Any parent wanting to raise more compassionate, neuro-affirming kids.

Guest Spotlight: Find Helen’s book Neurosensory Divergence: Autistic Languages in all the usual places for a deeper dive into sensory processing, autistic communication and building truly equitable lives for autistic children. Find Helen at https://outsidetheboxsensory.com/ or on social media @otbsensory. (New website coming soon though!)

Join the conversation: Has this episode resonated with your family’s experience of SEND or neurodivergence? Share your stories or questions with us on Instagram or TikTok @bighomeedpodcast, or head to the blog www.offroadingmotherhood.co.uk/blog for more resources and episode notes.

Keywords: SEND and ableism, neurodivergent children, autism and education, EHCPs UK, sensory needs in school, home education UK, inclusive home ed, trauma-informed education, alternative education, autistic-friendly learning, neurosensory divergence