Stories of an Unschooling Family

Why don’t I care? Is there nothing I care about? Or do I no longer care about the things that could prevent me from doing what I feel called to do? Have you also learnt not to care? In episode 208, I share: Additional thoughts about episode 207 My new passion for classic cars Why we should take an interest in our kids’ interests even if we don’t think we will like them Why we shouldn’t let other p...

I’m back and I’m fangirling! Will I stay? Will I find a new focus for my podcast? Will I find a co-host? Will I get enough sleep? And who am I fangirling over? This week, I’m sharing thoughts on  unschooling as a business doing things for free ageing unschoolers who might have unique skills to offer our superpower- unconditional love competing and persuading  social media and lots of other things....

Today, on my birthday, I’m chatting about ageing, experimenting, taking risks, encouraging others, and other things.  Show Notes I mentioned: The Self Directed podcast with the Conrads Episode 65 of the Self Directed podcast : Sue Elvis / Stories of an Unschooling Family  The Unschooling Together community Podcast episode 3 , Getting Older, Admitting One’s Age, Lines and Wrinkles The Video Version...

I’m back with my author daughter Imogen! In this episode, we’re chatting about… Writing and how Imogen is promoting and selling her YA novels Collaboration and how we achieve more when we work together The ups and downs of social media We also share some news and tell a couple of stories, including the one about my frightening Frida Kahlo eyebrows!   Show Notes We mentioned The Virtual Kitchen Tab...

This week, I’m talking about: Desires and Expectations Are desires good? Are expectations about control? Can our expectations spoil our family celebrations? Challenges Should we give our kids space to set their own challenges? Do we need to challenge ourselves too? Books Do people judge us on our book choices? Can sharing the books we’re reading lead to some stimulating unschooling conversations?...

This week, I’m talking about right and wrong… If we think something is right, should we do it? Do we have to push through any difficulties we might encounter? Perhaps we can’t give up unless we’re willing to do something we know is wrong. And if we do that, we won’t feel at peace. The big question is: is unschooling the right thing to do? If it is, we shouldn’t be concerned about the future. Whate...

Do good parents stay firmly in control of their children, demanding obedience, good behaviour and respect? Do they practise tough love? Or are there problems with this method of parenting? Is there some other way of raising kids to be good people who want to do what is right? Is it okay to parent with unconditional love?   This week, I’m sharing a few stories on this topic. I also have a request o...

Is unschooling about drifting aimlessly through each day? Do unschoolers waste time? Or do they live intentionally responding to their needs and making sure they achieve the things that are relevant and important to them? Do unschoolers direct their lives instead of letting life direct them? Is that the meaning of true freedom? Does the word ‘planning’ have a place in unschooling? This week, I’m d...

It is what it is. An interesting episode or not. I don’t suppose it matters. All that’s important is love. Show Notes Please visit my blog, Stories of an Unschooling Family , to read my post, Preventing Childhood Trauma with Unconditional Love . It contains today’s show notes.   My Unschooling Books The Unschool Challenge: Kindle The Unschool Challenge: paperback Curious Unschoolers: Kindle Curiou...

Is it irresponsible to trust and unschool teenagers? When unschoolers reach the teenage years, is it time for something else? Or could unschooling be exactly what our older kids need? Could it keep them safe? This week, I’m discussing these questions and more, sharing lots of thoughts, stories and resources. Show Notes Please visit my blog, Stories of an Unschooling Family , to read my post,   Cou...

Should children be responsible for their own educations? Or is that an irresponsible idea? This week, I’m exploring lots of questions including: Is learning an active activity that needs the learner’s cooperation? Is it impossible to force knowledge into a child without resorting to teaching methods that ultimately destroy their natural love of learning? Is forced learning real learning? Is it bet...

Is unschooling about staying in bed late, spending lazy days in the forest, and baking cookies?  Or is there more to unschooling than that? What does a typical unschooling day look like? Will it be different in different families? Will it change over time? Whatever it looks like, will it always be packed with deep learning, the kind that matters and makes a difference? I discuss these questions an...

Are kids more likely to suffer mental health problems if they experience excessive control? Could video games provide safe spaces for kids to retreat to when life becomes too difficult? If we insist kids leave their games and they get upset, could it be the real world that we’re forcing them to return to that’s the problem and not the video games? And if kids do have genuine trouble handling games...

This week, I’m going back to basics: I’m discussing the question, What is Unschooling? I’m also sharing several stories to illustrate my definition: What Is Unschooling? Why Unschooling Isn’t a Method of Homeschooling What Is Unschooling? A Transcript I also share some links to other unschoolers’ definitions of unschooling.   Show Notes Please visit my blog, Stories of an Unschooling Family , to r...

This week, I'm discussing chores. How do we encourage our kids to be generous and willing workers? I’m sharing two stories: How to Get Kids to Do the Chores The Radical Chore Roster Please visit my blog, Stories of an Unschooling Family , to read my post, Can Radical Unschoolers Use Chore Rosters? It contains today’s show notes.   My Unschooling Books The Unschool Challenge: Kindle The Unschool Ch...

This week, I’m sharing a blog post, Should We Push Kids to Use Their Talents, Aim High and Impress? This post includes stories about people who have followed the pathway desired by their parents and ended up unhappy. And there’s one story about a man who, despite achieving the necessary grades to study medicine or law, chose to become a high school teacher. I’ve included lots of links to books, vi...

In episode 192 of my Stories of an Unschooling Family podcast , I talked about: Homework for Life Generating writing ideas Creating second brains Homeschool records, including strewing and planning notebooks and family journals Social media and other online distractions Also: I shared Matthew Dicks’ book, Storyworthy and Tiago Forte’s book,   Building a Second Brain. I told two stories of my life,...

This week, I'm sharing some big news: I've published a new unschooling book! In this episode, I tell you about The Unschool Challenge, share some family news and a couple of resources, and ponder lots of unschooling thoughts and ideas along the way.   Show Notes   My Unschooling Books The Unschool Challenge: Kindle The Unschool Challenge: paperback Curious Unschoolers: Kindle Curious Unschoolers:...

After a long break, I’m back!   In this episode, I read one of my stories called Clock Watching and comment on it. I share some news, including some about the future of my blog and podcast.  I mention a couple of resources that I hope you’ll find interesting. And, along the way, I share loads of unschooling thoughts!   Show Notes   Things mentioned in this episode: Blog post: Clock Watching Podcas...

I'm back! Are you surprised? I am! This week, I'm talking about: How lack of control makes us feel helpless. Do controlled kids feel helpless? Does control lead to mental health issues? If we want a society of responsible adults, do we need to listen to kids, give them freedom, and let them learn how to be responsible for themselves? Difficult times, friends, and our unschooling community How chan...

This week, Imogen and I are discussing: The value of casual work and lower profile jobs How our kids can surprise us Jobs and passions Why we need to promote our work How to answer critics and critique other people’s work The importance of helping each other Jane Austen, Sanditon and Bridgerton Ageing And other things!   Show Notes   Things we mention in this episode This is Marketing: book by Set...

This week, Imogen and I are talking about: High expectations and control. Do they result in unhappy children? Do controlled kids look for distractions? Does limiting screen time result in an increased attraction for devices? A novel that Imogen reviewed: Dear Hero Inspiration and different ways of telling a story How we can work together, share our skills, and help each other The Catholic Homescho...

This week, Imogen and I have a lively conversation about: The highs and lows that affect our parenting, homeschooling and creative lives Criticism: why do we let other people's opinions affect what we do? Whose opinions should we listen to? Why we shouldn't let criticism stop us from using our talents Reviews: why we don't ask for many reviews Writing about things we have never experienced Paying...

This week, Imogen and I are discussing: Social media and video games: can we break the hooks that pull us in? Books: is it okay to use someone else’s ideas and create something of our own? In particular, we’re talking about the documentary, The Social Dilemma, and the books, Dust by Kara Swanson and The Drover’s Wife by Leah Purcell. We’re also telling a few family stories.   Show Notes Things we...

This week, as the rain continues to fall, I'm telling a few stories:   Wondering Weather I Should Iron The Elvis Connection Me? I'm Elvis' Wife Why I'm Wearing Stiff Undies   Show Notes   My Unschooling Books Curious Unschoolers: Kindle Curious Unschoolers: paperback Radical Unschool Love: Kindle Radical Unschool Love: paperback My Amazon Author Page   Where You Can Find Me Unschooling Community M...