It’s the final episode of Season 4 of the BIG Home Ed Conversations Podcast, and we’re keeping up our (now official!) yearly tradition: a relaxed, honest Year in Reflection. Kelly and Ashley look back on what’s worked in their home education lives this year—what’s felt joyful, what’s been challenging, and what they want to carry forward into next year. Expect a cosy, chatty recap filled with real-life wins, lessons learned, and practical ideas you can borrow for your own home ed. In this episode, we talk about:

• Why travel (UK trips, camping, and overseas adventure) brings built-in novelty and learning—especially for neurodivergent families
• Using different modes of transport (ferries, trains) as learning opportunities and curiosity fuel
• The ongoing juggle of routines, energy and extracurriculars (pony share, forest school, climbing, online classes)
• How read-alouds, audiobooks and book studies have shaped learning, sparked big conversations, and supported reluctant readers
• Regulation tools, movement, and mixing up learning mediums (chalk pens, drawing on glass, sensory supports)
• Enterprise learning through craft fairs and kid-led projects
• What we’re adjusting next year: social rhythms, responsibilities/chores, games, and finding a better balance

We also share a huge thank you to everyone who’s listened, reviewed, shared, and supported Season 4—and we’ll be taking a short break before returning for Season 5 in the spring. Don't forget to subscribe and catch up on earlier episodes while you wait! Keywords: home education UK, home ed year in review, neurodivergent home education, unschooling, eclectic homeschooling, home ed travel, home education routines, read alouds, audiobooks for kids, home ed resources Stay connected:
Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @bighomeedpodcast, and catch up on any episodes you’ve missed while we’re on break. We’ll also be dropping the occasional book review over the winter.

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

In this episode of the BIG Home Ed Conversations Podcast, Kelly and Ashley dive deep into the often-unspoken topic of prejudice within the home educating community.

From unschooling vs. curriculum-based approaches, to faith, politics, socioeconomic status, and cultural backgrounds, they unpack the subtle (and not-so-subtle) biases that can create divides among home educators.

With real-life stories, honest reflections, and a healthy dose of empathy, they explore:

• Why different home ed methods spark debate (unschooling, project-based, curriculum-led, eclectic)
• How faith, politics, and culture shape our perspectives—and how to honour differences
• Socioeconomic barriers, privilege, and the importance of compassion over comparison
• The risks of judgement and the power of community support
• Practical tips for recognising and challenging your own biases

Whether you’re a seasoned home edder or just starting out, this episode is a call to celebrate individuality, question assumptions, and create a more welcoming, diverse, and resilient home education community.

Book Spotlight: This week, we’re recommending Wonder by R.J. Palacio—a moving story about difference, kindness, and the courage to stand out. It’s a brilliant way to open up conversations about prejudice, empathy, and the importance of welcoming everyone, no matter how different they may seem. Support the Podcast and the environment, get it from World of Books Now: https://tidd.ly/4i0oMg3.

Join the conversation: Has this topic resonated with you? Share your experiences or questions with us on Instagram or TikTok @bighomeedpodcast, or visit our blog for more resources and episode notes.

Keywords: home education UK, home ed prejudice, unschooling vs curriculum, diversity in home education, home education community, challenging bias, inclusive homeschooling, home ed support, alternative education, neurodivergent families

In this powerful episode of the Big Home Ed Conversations Podcast, Kelly and Ashley sit down with Atlanta-based educator, tech specialist, and author Chris Linder—founder of Homeschool Remix—to dig deep into what real diversity and inclusion can look like in home education.

Chris brings a wealth of lived experience, working with all families, but especially Black, Brown, Indigenous, and marginalized families to create flexible, hybrid homeschooling solutions that fit real life—not just the “ideal” often seen online.

Together, we explore why representation in education matters, how to actively include all voices, and the practical barriers many families face in both the UK and US.

• Chris’s unique journey from radio DJ to teacher, tech expert, and home education advocate.
• What “hybrid homeschooling” really means—and why it’s a lifeline for diverse and working families.
• The invisible barriers and stigmas that keep home education feeling out of reach for many.
• Why representation and critical thinking are essential—at home and in the curriculum.
• The chilling reality of banned books, whitewashing, and whose stories get told in schools.
• How to start tough conversations about race, privilege, ableism, and identity with your kids.
• Practical, honest advice for making home education accessible (even on a tight budget).
• The “folding chair” philosophy: if there’s no seat at the table, bring your own—and build community.

Plus: Why critical thinking—not just travel—is the antidote to prejudice.

Our recommendation this week is Ghost by Jason Reynolds - get it here from World of Books.

We’re recommending Ghost by Jason Reynolds to accompany this episode because it’s a powerful, accessible novel that tackles themes of race, poverty, resilience, and belonging through the eyes of a young Black boy navigating life’s challenges. Ghost’s story offers a window into experiences often underrepresented in mainstream curricula, making it a brilliant conversation starter for families wanting to build empathy, discuss diversity, and see the world from a different perspective. It’s an engaging, fast-paced read that encourages critical thinking, compassion, and honest conversations about what it means to find your place in the world—perfect for the heart of today’s discussion.

Listener invitation: We want your voices! Have you faced barriers, prejudice, or found creative ways to make home education work for your family? Share your story or question with us on Instagram or TikTok @bighomeedpodcast, or visit our blog at offroadingmotherhood.co.uk/blog to join the conversation. We’d love to feature your lived experience in a future episode.

Welcome back to Season 4 of the Big Home Ed Conversations Podcast!

In this new “Changing Perspectives” series, Kelly and Ashley dive into the big, sometimes uncomfortable, but always essential conversations about diversity, inclusion, and breaking out of our bubbles as home educating families.

This season is all about stretching our thinking—beyond our own lived experiences, beliefs, and backgrounds—to raise kids who are compassionate, curious, and ready to thrive in a diverse world.

We’re opening the door to voices and stories we might not hear in our everyday circles, and asking the questions that really matter:

Who isn’t represented in our community?

How can we make home education more welcoming and accessible?

What does true belonging look like for all families?

In this kickoff episode, you’ll hear:

Why we’re making space for new perspectives and lived experiences in home ed.

Honest reflections on privilege, accessibility, and the myths of home education.

The importance of teaching our kids to step into someone else’s shoes—whether it’s about race, religion, disability, gender, family structure, or life circumstances.

Our hopes for this series:

More empathy, more critical thinking, and more real conversations at home.

Book recommendations and practical ways to start these conversations with your own children.

How YOU can get involved by sharing your stories, questions, or lived experiences (see below!)

PLUS: Our honest review of Outschool after a summer of classes—what worked, what didn’t, and a special discount code for listeners (details in the episode!).

Listener Invitation: We want your voices and stories! Visit the blog at offroadingmotherhood.co.uk/blog for a list of upcoming topics, or message us directly on Instagram or TikTok @bighomeedpodcast. If you have a personal experience, question, or comment about diversity, inclusion, or belonging in home education, send it our way—we’d love to read it on air (anonymously if you prefer).

What’s coming up: Throughout this season, expect open-hearted conversations with authors, experts, real voices and home educators from all walks of life. We’ll tackle tough topics: prejudice and privilege, whitewashing in education, banned books, gender and sexuality, ableism, neurodiversity, and more.

Each episode will include a book recommendation for you and your kids—perfect for expanding your family’s bookshelf and worldview. Let’s break the cycle of “fixed facts” and automatic assumptions, and raise kids who know that every voice matters—including their own.

In this special Book Club episode, Ashley Vanerio dives into The Four-Hour School Day—a practical, encouraging guide for new and seasoned home educators alike. Written by veteran homeschool mum of eight, Durenda Wilson, this book challenges the myth that learning at home needs to look like the 8am–4pm school grind.

Ashley shares her honest first impressions (including a heads-up about the book’s strong Christian perspective), and why this title is still packed with value for all home ed families—religious or not. From the realities of how little time home learning actually takes, to the importance of rhythm, consistency, and nurturing relationships, Ashley explores the book’s most helpful themes:

• Why “less is more” in home education—and how you can get more done in less time
• The difference between “socialization” and “socializing” (and how to answer the dreaded question!)
• How to avoid comparison traps and build a home ed life that fits your unique family
• The power of following your child’s passions and letting go of schoolish pressure
• Encouragement for parents: you don’t need a teaching degree, just trust, time, and connection

Ashley highlights her favourite chapters, shares honest reactions, and explains why this book makes a great confidence booster for new home educators—or a gentle resource to hand to sceptical family members. Ready to read? Grab it from Amazon or Waterstones or any other retailer!

Have you read The Four-Hour School Day? Share your thoughts with us on Instagram or TikTok @bighomeedpodcast, or let us know what you think of this review!

Next up for Book Club: Hunt, Gather, Parent—what ancient cultures can teach us about raising happy, helpful kids. Stay tuned for more short, honest reviews and practical home ed inspiration.

Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast, leave us a review or share with a friend! Follow us over on TikTok or Instagram @BIGHomeEdPodcast