Hey fellow home ed mums! If you’ve got a pre-teen at home, you’ll know this stage can be a bit of a rollercoaster. They’re growing fast, figuring out who they are, and sometimes it feels like they’re half adult, half kid. Throw in home education, and it’s another layer of managing their learning, wellbeing, and that tricky balance of independence and structure.
For my daughter, this phase has been especially challenging. She’s transitioning into her pre-teen years and has also been battling iron deficiency, which has made things even harder. I’ve learned the hard way just how important the right amount of sleep, proper nutrition, and some good old-fashioned fresh air are during this time. So, I thought I’d share a bit of what I’ve discovered along the way—because let’s face it, we’re all in this together!
How Much Sleep Do Pre-Teens Actually Need?
You’d think that with home education, we’d have the luxury of a bit more flexibility, but I’ve found that pre-teens need their sleep routine just as much (if not more) than school kids. According to the NHS, kids aged 9-12 should be getting around 9 to 12 hours of sleep each night. It’s hard enough getting them to bed when they’re engrossed in that coding project or deep into a book, but trust me, without enough sleep, the next day can be a bit of a write-off.
With my daughter, I’ve noticed when she doesn’t get enough rest, her energy dips, she’s more irritable, and her ability to focus on her studies takes a hit. And she’s not alone—research from the British Medical Journal has shown that lack of sleep in pre-teens affects their cognitive function and mood, leading to a vicious cycle of poor concentration and emotional ups and downs.
Home ed tip: I’ve found that a consistent bedtime routine really helps. We let her wind down with some reading or journaling (keeping screens out of the room). It’s not about being strict, but creating an environment where she can relax and feel ready for sleep.
The Challenges of Malnutrition: Our Journey with Iron Deficiency
Let’s talk nutrition, because this is one I’ve really had to learn the hard way. My daughter’s been struggling with iron deficiency for a while now, and it’s been tough on her. The constant tiredness, weakness, and even her mood have all been affected. It’s heartbreaking as a mum to watch her go through this, and it’s taken a while to get to the root of it.
Iron deficiency, especially in pre-teen girls, is more common than you might think. According to Public Health England, it’s not just iron that’s a concern, but also vitamin D and calcium, all essential for healthy growth. With my daughter, it wasn’t always obvious—she wasn’t pale or constantly falling ill, but she was tired and couldn’t focus as well on her studies.
It was a big wake-up call for me to ensure she’s getting a balanced diet. No matter how much we’re juggling different subjects and activities in home ed, a healthy, varied diet has to be the foundation. Iron-rich foods like leafy greens, lentils, and lean meats have now become staples in our meals, and I’m a lot more conscious of getting her those key vitamins through her diet.
Home ed tip: Getting your pre-teen involved in cooking can be a lifesaver. My daughter loves helping in the kitchen, and it’s a great way to sneak in those nutritious ingredients. Plus, it’s another learning opportunity—win-win!
Fresh Air: More Than Just a Break
Now, we home ed parents have the flexibility to take our lessons outside, and honestly, we need to use that to our advantage. Getting outside is such a simple thing, but it does wonders for pre-teens (and us too!). With all the changes they’re going through, fresh air and time in nature really help them to reset.
Research from Natural England shows that kids who spend time outdoors are less stressed, sleep better, and have better concentration. For my daughter, even a short walk with the dog can turn her mood around and get her ready to dive back into her studies. She also loves nature walks, where we tie in some learning by spotting different birds or plants.
And, if your pre-teen is like mine, they probably spend more time than you’d like indoors on screens. It’s tough to compete with technology, but once we’re out in the fresh air, she always seems to enjoy it—even if it’s just a quick walk to the park. Bonus: we’ve signed up for the Golden Paw 50 Mile Walking Challenge with our dog, which has been a great motivator to get her moving!
Home ed tip: Try turning outdoor time into an adventure. Whether it’s a nature journal, scavenger hunt, or even just setting up lessons in the garden, getting outside doesn’t have to be a chore.
Wrapping it All Up: Mum Wisdom for the Home Ed Journey
As home educators, we already put so much thought into our kids’ learning. But what I’ve learned through this transition with my daughter is that sleep, good nutrition, and time outside are just as important as what’s on the curriculum. Without these, everything else feels a lot harder.
If your pre-teen is going through a tough time with the changes that come with this age, know that you’re not alone. Sometimes, it’s the basics—sleep, food, and fresh air—that make the biggest difference in how they feel and how they learn. And one bit of mum wisdom I’ve taken to heart: “We can’t pour from an empty cup, and neither can they.”
So, let’s keep encouraging them to rest, eat well, and get outside whenever we can. It might not fix everything overnight, but it’s a great place to start.
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