Hi everyone, from a forum (and homeschooling) Noob!

**veganmuggle** · 10-14-2019, 08:04 AM

Just a quick hello to all.

I am a 44 year old mother of 6 (4 are all grown up)

My 2 youngest are both on the autism spectrum, 10 and 13. I have just started homeschooling my 13 year old after 6 months of secondary school he was majorly traumatised and miserable.

Things are so much better now and while I am still learning how and what to teach, it gets easier every day!

We are a secular, vegan, animal loving activist family (I am from the USA but have been in Australia since 2007)

Looking forward to spending a lot of time here!

**alexsmom** · 10-14-2019, 11:01 AM

Welcome! Im glad to hear things are looking up for your family now. Feel free to ask, or browse the SN archives if you have questions or want resources specifically for ASD.
And feel free to join in on the recipes, roll call, and other forum sections.

Jumping in is the best way to feel supported and in the group!

**outskirtsofbs** · 10-14-2019, 12:09 PM

Welcome to the forum.

**NZ_Mama** · 10-14-2019, 03:31 PM

Welcome! What part of Australia are you in, and what is it like to homeschool there? We are in the South Island of NZ. Nice to have another non-meat eater—we are vegetarian and dairy free. What sort of animals do you have? We have an adopted border terrier who was a bit of a pain to start with but gets better every year as he learns to be a normal (not anxious and unsocialized) dog, and we are also into horse riding volunteer at therapy riding.

**veganmuggle** · 10-15-2019, 02:19 AM

Hey there NZ Mama!

I am in Victoria (Phillip island) just moved a couple years ago a bit farther away from Melbourne. We love the city, but in small doses, haha! I've only just started homeschooling but the registration process was pretty straightforward, and there is no set curriculum we have to use so it's nice that my son can learn in whatever way works best for him! We are still total noobs but using a combination of books/texts, online programs for coding and math, workksheets and hands on activities and excursions.

We did have 5 rescued ex battery hens, the last girl passed away early this yaer ( we had them for 2 and a half years) We also have 2 rescued dogs (border collie mixed with horse - he's BIG, and a JR mini Foxie mix who is 13 or 14 but still a pocket rocket) and we have 13 guinea pigs! We'd probably have a farm if we had the land but we only have a small lot in a residential neighbourhood so unfortunately I can't rescue any lambs or goats. One day...

**alexsmom** · 10-15-2019, 07:23 PM

@Vegan - Your post was lost in moderation for a while, and didnt show up. Sorry, that happens sometimes, but after a few posts, youre out of moderation.

**NZ_Mama** · 10-16-2019, 09:17 PM

Phillip Island looks pretty! Glad to hear homeschooling where you are is relatively easy. It sounds similar to NZ. I don't know if we will ever move, but we will go on a short stint overseas for my DH to go on sabbatical, and the Melbourne area would be a possibility in terms of work for him.

We are also very eclectic in our homeschool approach.

Sounds like you have a real menagerie of animals! I hear you on the wanting land one day. I grew up on a farm but have lived in cities since I started university and I would love some land, but it is so expensive and it is hard for us to balance a sustainable work commute for DH (he likes to bike) with finding some land that is a reasonable price.