10 Reasons Unschoolers Celebrate This Time of Year

1. Summer Doesn't Really End!

Since it's still August, we don't have to wrap up the summer prematurely! It's still hot out and of of our fun summertime activities can continue until Fall actually arrives. Personally, we live in Texas - so that’s not happening until DECEMBER!
Don't you remember as a kid, feeling like summer ended QUICKLY?? It doesn't have to, for your kid!

2. Shorter Lines Everywhere!

Once the kids go back to school, we get to enjoy shorter lines at the waterparks, the museums, Six Flags, Sea World, Fiesta Texas, NASA – everywhere! SO many places have less crowds this time of year!

4. Cheaper Flights/Hotel Rates

This was an awesome perk we noticed right away. Summer and holiday rates go up - but we don't have to travel then! The entire calendar year is available to us with all the discounted rates after Labor Day and before Memorial Day!.

5. Art Supplies On Sale

Now's the time to stock up with all the Back-to-School sales - go while the local kids are in school and it will be a ghost town in there!
Do you have markers that are showing signs of being dried up?
Need another ream of paper, journal pads, spirals?
Now's the time to get the good deals!

6. Meal Times Fit the Individual.

Did you ever have the "First Lunch" at school? And you were eating at 10:30 in the morning?? Your kids can eat when they're hungry and not because that's when everyone must be fed. Healthy food is available all day long for unschoolers. Did you see the movie Fed Up ?? You’d be shocked at how the schools are pushing such poor nutrition for the kids there. But making meal TIMES fit your family is really big perk!

7. Uninterrupted Creativity and Play.

Unschoolers know the importance of guarding their children’s imaginations. We can see how problem solving and critical thinking skills come from creativity! These skills will be so much more useful in their future than memorized facts – especially since the phones in their pockets can give them answers to questions immediately.

8. Autonomy and Self-Direction.

Unschooled kids can pursue their passions all day long instead of trying to cram their interests into those tiny windows of opportunity after school between homework, dinner, and bedtime. They can explore topics in whatever ways they choose. They can flit across the top of many different ideas and concepts or dive deeply into a particular interest. No school bell rings to tell unschoolers when to start and stop thinking.

9. Flexible Calendars.

Our calendars are up to us – our own families and our own schedules. No vacationing only if the school allows it or working around the calendars set by the district. No "asking for permission" because something is happening in the family or being in trouble for "too many unexcused absences."

10. More Time for Family/Friends

We have unlimited hugs, reassurance, games, books, sleepovers, potlucks, playtime, puzzles, music, projects, learning in all shapes, sizes, and forms.

Our kids won’t experience any giant disruption in their sleep patterns. None of the horrible side effects of sleep deprivation due to early morning class times for us!