Get Your Head Straight to Home Ed – Ep 4: Regulate, Reconnect, and Read the Room

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