Australian Homeschool Stories

Carla is a single mum who is unschooling her two neurodivergent boys, aged 8 & 5 in South Western Victoria. In today's episode you will hear how she juggles co-parenting and co-homeschooling as she reflects on her pathway from studying her masters in teaching to now revelling in her boys learning through autonomous play.  SUMMARY Carla's childhood growing up on acreage as a country k...

If Aware Parenting is on your radar, chances are you've heard of Marion Rose. Her work in bringing compassion and connection to the forefront of parenting has been underscored by her own beautiful journey through motherhood. In this episode I'm delighted to share with you Marion's reflection on her family's natural learning path and what life looks like now living in a multigen...

Eclectic, natured based, Waldorf inspired, holistic homeschoolers is how Melinda sums up her family's approach. With four children in tow ranging in age from 11 - 1, she and her husband have crafted their lives in celebration of the seasons, community, art and the natural world.  SUMMARY Being the kid who spent her lunchtime doing art by herself because she struggled with the social side of s...

Laura and her family have been on the road since the beginning of 2023 exploring our beautiful country in their 9m caravan. With three kids in tow aged 8, 5 and 2, I spoke with Laura whilst in FNQ about the highs and lows of unschooling with no fixed address and she shares her top tips for embracing an adventure filled life. SUMMARY Laura recounts what life was like for her moving around and atten...

Unschooling on a farm in country Victoria, Carolyn, her husband Michael and their three children (aged 8, 6 and 2) are living their dream life. Currently in their third year of homeschooling, two of her kids have attended school for periods of partial enrolment, they have now chosen to wholeheartedly unschool, completely free and unscheduled, dig deeply into their values and celebrate living simpl...

Rounding out the first season of Australian Homeschool Stories is my partner in life, homeschooling and podcasting, Daniel. Together we are raising our two wildlings, aged 5 and 2, amidst the natural splendours of the Mornington Peninsula.  SUMMARY Dan recalls his journey through public, international and private schooling and how gaining early acceptance into his preferred tertiary course meant y...

Suze and her husband homeschool their three girls aged 10, 7 and 2 from their suburban home in Adelaide. Not only is she the primary homeschooling parent, Suze is also a teacher by trade and in this episode we discuss how she reconciles educating her own children at home whilst working in a school setting and the importance of advocating for all children, not just our own. SUMMARY Suze reflects on...

Jules & Dan are true partners in life, homeschool and business, with four girls aged 7, 6, 4 & 1. They split their time between their home in Melbourne and with family in Singapore, and all of their learning is derived from play!  SUMMARY How Jules & Dan's paths crossed in Melbourne despite growing up in Singapore and Malaysia and both recount their heavily academic focused upbrin...

You may know Paul West as the loveable TV presenter, cookbook author, radio host and garden extraordinaire that he is, but you may not know that he has recently taken up the mantle of homeschooling Dad to his two boys, 8 & 6, alongside his wife Alicia in their small country town of Bermagui on the South Coast of NSW. When they are not travelling around the country for Paul's work the West...

Sheree grew up an only child and now homeschools her only child, her outgoing 5 year old son on the Mornington Peninsula. As well as delving into Sheree's passion for music and her struggles at school with undiagnosed dyslexia, we chat about socialisation, community and our mutual love for our local toy library. SUMMARY The story of how Sheree and Steph met Growing up in suburban Melbourne, s...

Sam & Christian homeschool two of their three "bare feet little nature loving" children whilst their teenage son until recently has always been in the school system. This down to earth couple share the ups and downs of their experiences with school, how a Steiner playgroup opened their minds to this alternative educational pathway and the joy of living amongst the natural splendours...

Elizabeth describes herself as a lover of learning and confesses she was not a typical candidate to homeschool her children. In this honest conversation she eloquently shares how she went from counting down the days until her three kids (now 9, 7 and 6) were at school to questioning everything she had always taken for granted, and the wonder led life her family now lead that was born out of the tu...

Steph and her husband not only homeschool their two boys aged 10 and 6 but also welcome a number of other children into their home with their family day care Spirited Hearts in Toowoomba.  We discuss trauma in relation to her own school wounds and her son's experience of moving in and out of the school system despite Steph knowing she wanted to homeschool before she became a mother.   SUMMARY...

Emma and her family have lived in a number of different cities along the eastern seaboard of Australia but recently put their roots down in Brisbane where she and her husband are raising their four girls aged between 1 - 8 years old. You may know Emma and her family from her instagram account @play_at_home_mummy where she generously shares their wonderful world of play. I loved hearing Emma's...

Sarah is a mother of three girls aged 6, 4 and 2 and she also happens to be a dear friend of mine. Similarly, we are raising our homeschooled kiddos amidst the spoils of the Mornington Peninsula. This is a candid conversation between friends about Sarah's  journey thus far - travels, motherhood and living with intention. In a nutshell: The story of how Steph and Sarah met Seeking connection w...

Lauren & Oberon Carter not only homeschool their three girls aged between 12 & 19 on their suburban block just outside of Hobart, but also passionately advocate for waste free living, permaculture and climate action. They have most recently become record store owners too! We dive into all these topics in our conversation. Here is a snapshot of Lauren & Oberon's story : Growing up...

Vicci Oliver is a dead set nature play legend, and a voice you may recognise. She is one half of the Raising Wildlings Podcast and owner of Wildlings Forest School in sunny Queensland.  Vicci has always homeschooled her two daughters, now aged 11 & 9.  In our conversation we talk about: What her own school days looked like growing up and what type of student she was Her love of marine science...

Welcome to Australian Homeschool Stories. In this introductory episode you will find out what to expect from this podcast series. Stephanie (your host) also shares a glimpse of her family culture and what their homeschooling life looks like at present. Have you got a story to tell? Connect with us via email or instagram: australianhomeschoolstories@gmail.com @australianhomeschoolstories Music: Haz...