I didn’t plan to home educate. Not at first. I didn’t set out to create a “method” or design a new philosophy. I just reached a breaking point – and then I listened to my gut.
Because honestly? The pressure on kids these days is unreal. They’re expected to learn at the same pace, in the same way, in rooms full of thirty other children. And somehow, they’re also supposed to feel safe, supported, and seen.
But school stopped feeling like a safe place for us. Bullying was rife. Teachers were stretched so thin they could barely breathe, let alone protect the vulnerable. And the systems in place? They felt more focused on numbers than needs. We tried different schools – truly. But what we saw again and again was children being lost in the chaos. Hurt in silence. Rushed through things they didn’t understand, and punished for being “behind”.
I remember thinking: how many more children have to sit in classrooms every day, scared or shamed or stuck, before we call it what it is? For some families, school works. But for us – it felt like child prison. And I just couldn’t pretend it was okay anymore.
What We Found When We Stepped Away
We didn’t replace school with a rigid homeschool curriculum. We didn’t try to mimic classroom routines at the kitchen table. We slowed down. We started listening – to each other, to our bodies, to our curiosity.
My children are happier now. Truly. And because they feel safe and free, they’re learning more than I ever thought possible. But not in the way school defines learning. There are no bells. No rigid schedules. No measuring tapes. Just questions, projects, books, walks, mess, wonder… life.
We wake when we’re rested. We sleep when we’re tired. We work when our minds are ready to soak up the world. We bake. We build. We ask questions over lunch. We let boredom lead to ideas. We follow the seasons. We follow each other.
And slowly, something beautiful started to form. A method – though I didn’t know it at first. I called it The Mellow Method.
What Is the Mellow Method?
The Mellow Method is a gentle, wonder-filled philosophy of home education rooted in rhythm, beauty and deep trust. It isn’t about replicating school at home. It’s about weaving learning into life – and doing it on your own terms.
If you want to understand it fully, I’d love you to download our free Manifesto – it’s a love letter to slow learning, big questions and wildly curious children.
If you’re wondering where to start, I’ve made a printable weekly planner called the Mellow Map – it’s our gentle rhythm tool to help you find your flow without pressure or strict timetables.
Ready to Begin?
The Mellow Method isn’t perfect. It’s evolving. Just like we are. But it’s kind. It’s doable. And it’s changed our family completely.
You can start your journey today – with a single quiet morning, a single question, a single cup of tea shared while your children draw. You don’t need permission. You just need to begin.