ESTHER JONES

I never particularly loved school, but I always looked forward to that start-again September energy. I liked to see my school uniform all ironed, my pencil case filled with shiny new things, my shoes polished ready for the big day. There was something organised and hopeful about the whole thing that gelled with my perfectionist nature. A couple of weeks into school and the newness had gone, leaving me often bored, and itching for the weekend to come. We were in the UK at the

There's a lovely energy in the air today. Maybe it's the cooler almost-autumn air that feels so good, or perhaps it's because their dad came back after a few days away for work. Whatever the reason, there's a fun buzz about life. In fact, thinking about it, yesterday was very much a cocoon sort of day, so perhaps this is just what was preparing to emerge. C and I went for a bike ride. Well, she rode her bike while I ran beside her. I figure this could be a real win/win. We bo

Here's one of the many reasons I love unschooling. Most children don't naturally associate equations with fun, but this was quite a joyful moment in our sitting room late yesterday evening. E: (to his sister) Hey, do you want to do an equation? C: What's an equation? E: Well, it's more like a puzzle really. It's where you have to figure out what a number is. C: Okay. E: So, if 42 minus A equals 35, what is A? C: What does minus mean? E: It means take away. C: Okay, but I have