One thing I hadn’t really considered when we started home educating was missing the traditional Year 11 milestones – including prom. So when prom season arrived, I started thinking about how we could still make the end of this chapter feel special for Evie.

Yes. Obvious. But I hadn’t thought about this one. I’d been too busy thinking about getting through the exams.

I’ve just been looking through my camera roll – checking out what our story has looked like this last couple of months.

Firstly I have a great friend, with some great ideas (and a Chat GPT liking!) who has given me endless help and support. When I called her to say how do I make up for no prom? She gave me ideas and answers! I’m also lucky enough that we had a bit of money set aside to help make some plans.

So here’s some of the things we’ve done….

I ordered Evie a leavers hoody from an online shop. I printed the names of everybody and every place that has made up ‘team Evie home ed’.

We went prom dress shopping in Manchester. She got a beautiful, short, elegant dress to wear. It was from H&M – it didn’t cost a lot – but she looked a million dollars.

We went to a nice restaurant in Manchester as a family – all dressed up. We had a non alcoholic fizz in champagne glasses at home before we went. I called ahead and the restaurant brought out Evie a congratulations cake at the end. We took and posed for LOTS of photos. We made a huge fuss. It was a special evening. She has the beautiful pictures – and lovely memories forever.

I took Evie away for a few days to the beach – just the 2 of us to celebrate what she (and we) have achieved. We clinked glasses and chatted and laughed and made wonderful moments.

Me and a friend took Evie and her year 11 boy to London for the day. We booked in advance to get cheaper train fares and did everything that was free! We saw the pelicans in St James’ Park, we walked the Millennium Bridge – we went to Borough Market and walked by Downing Street. It was a HOT and unforgettable day!

She’s camping with a few great friends not too far from here as I type.. Low cost fun with I’m sure plenty of smiles.

Yes her social media feed was full of her peers attending their prom. I know I can’t replace that – but we had a fabulous month doing other things. It’s ok to be different and think differently.

I’ll keep thinking on that!