Considering Unschooling?
Rethink, Refresh, Repeat?
School breaks offer so many families a little breathing room. Having this pause in the school year gives parents and kids the chance to consider their options if this past semester didn't work out as well as they had hoped.
A few questions to ponder:
- Does your child enjoy learning?
- Do you like your parenting role in this past educational option?
- Is your parent/child relationship suffering because of this past educational choice?
- Do you have a lot of fears about stepping away from the conventional path?
- Do you (or your child) need more information to make the decision?
Maybe you've heard the word, and you're wondering what it's all about.
- Could kids really learn what they need with this unconventional approach?
- Would doors close for them... as in college or certain careers?
- Could what we've all been doing for so long be... the wrong way to go about educating the kids?
I know... scary thoughts. And the weight of responsibility is in YOUR lap.
But You Already Know...
What You're Doing IS NOT Working.
The kids are bored or miserable.
They may even be convinced that everything "educational" should be avoided.
You're tired of being the warden trying to get them to do their school work, apply themselves, etc.
You're tired of feeling like a cog in a bureaucratic wheel.
Or maybe you've left the school system but you're using a more traditional school style of homeschooling.
... which is burning you out.
... causing daily power struggles.
... frustrating you because you spent a ton of money on curriculum that was supposed to be really great. And it's not.
In either case, you feel time ticking and this is not how you wanted parenting, childhood, or family time to be.
🎙 From the Podcast...
Today’s
Unschooling Mom2Mom Podcast is for those of you who are on the fence.
You’re not happy with what’s going on, but you’re not sure if you want to go...as EXTREME as unschooling.
I get it. It DOES sound extreme when we’ve been doing school for our kids the way it was for us and probably even for our own parents too. While this WAY of educating the masses is familiar, it pushes an agenda on our kids that fits society more than it fits the learner.
And, truth be told, with the availability of information EVERYWHERE, schools don’t have a stranglehold on whether or not we have an educated society. In fact, this unschooling style of learning is MORE efficient, MORE tuned into the learner and less focused on the system moving smoothly...it’s about TRULY individualizing the learning. And that’s what kids need. We don’t need to throw them back to an antiquated system because it’s familiar. We can walk alongside them, helping them figure out all the opportunities that the world brings to them now. Because THIS is the world they’re going to be moving around in - now and in adulthood. Let’s help them with the reality of TODAY’s world.
And that may mean getting off the conveyor belt that says,
“Trust the experts,”
“Trust the curriculum,”
“Do as you’re told,”
“Don’t rock the boat.”
We can do better than all of that. And it’s not even that hard to do. It just means that you’re going to need more information and support. That’s how you’ll get past the fear that makes you worry about going off the beaten path. That’s how you can really step away from a system - whether it’s a school system or a homeschooling system - that prioritizes conformity.
So You've Heard about Unschooling,
...and you've got Questions!
Good News!
You're in the Right Place!
I'm Sue Patterson and I'm going to walk you through this.
I host all things Unschooling Mom2Mom on social media (Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest), YouTube, and this EXTENSIVE website. That’s because I’ve been at this for...a while. Since 1996 to be exact. Blogging, talking with parents, seeing what works and what doesn’t.
My own kids are grown now. They were unschooled and doors did not close for them.
They got into colleges, have careers, own homes and raise families - all the regular stuff. AND they had fabulous childhoods without subjecting them to the school approach to learning.
I’ve decided to circle back and help parents who - like me - aren’t happy with the school system.
27 years ago, I pulled my own little1st grader out of school, and here you are, considering the same thing. Right?
While my kids were in school - I kept thinking, "I can do better than this."
What started as a temporary adventure, turned into a lifestyle we really enjoyed. So we kept at it. Releasing more and more of the school ideas that I thought were NECESSARY for a happy successful adult life. Turns out, there was a lot of misinformation I had been fed for years, while I grew up in the school system - and in a society that is OBSESSED with the school path.
And that’s why I want to talk to those of you who aren’t sure what to do.
It’s about overcoming your fear.
Shining a little light on it, so you can see what the truth is.
And the way we do that is gathering more information and getting the support you need.
YOUR WALK-THROUGH
I have 3 Steps to Help you make a Decision about Unschooling
3 Steps toward a Decision:
- Take a breath
and know that learning lasts a lifetime - there's no finish line, no rush to get it all done. And now with the internet, information is at our fingertips! The old way of learning is familiar but outdated.
- Write down your questions so we can help you find the answers.
Sometimes the questions in our heads are screaming so loudly that we can’t even process some of the other information. Let's get answers to all your questions so no more time is wasted!
Use the Q4Sue form - where I'll send you resource links based upon the questions you ask.
Or if you need a real person to help you weigh out the options, you can get onto my calendar and we can talk. I promise, I’m not all about convincing you to take this choice. But I CAN help you get answers to the questions that are lurking in your head about unschooling or how it might work for your family.
Q4Sue Form Private Coaching - Read this list of blogposts or listen to the podcasts as your own personal homework:
YOUR HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT
I have some articles I want you to read - specific pieces of information that I think will help you.
I’ll be your Personal Coach just for a Week. Your Unschooling Coach.
I want you to think of what time of day you learn best, and
for the next 6 days, read ONE article.
I have 2 Reading lists for you - depending on where you are on this journey.
Read these if you're just leaving the school system:
✅
What Schools Taught Us that Wasn't True
✅ The Pros and Cons of Unschooling
✅ My Top 10 Advantages of Unschooling - and a couple of criticisms
✅ How Hard is Unschooling? How will it be for you?
✅ 3 Destructive Things School Taught You Without You Even Realizing It
Read these if you're switching from Homeschooling to Unschooling:
✅ Unschooling Myths and Misconceptions
These will be your Workout Program - not to turn you into an unschooler, but maybe to help you see some advantages as to why it might be a good idea and help you tackle those fears or concerns that hold you back.
Two Videos that Might Help Both...
It all boils down to knowledge and support. I’m here to support you - and I have a variety of ways to do that.
And this is how you can gain the information and knowledge needed to make the choice that’s right for your family.
Read the articles I've selected for you. This way, you don’t waste time wandering around the internet aimlessly, hoping to find what you need. I have it done the legwork for you!
So that’s it from me, enjoy the kids, reach out if you need more resources from me! I’ll be back again next week!
~Sue
If you've decided to Unschool - let's get you even more information!
Creating a strong foundation will help you when you have doubts creep in (we all do!)
- You're always welcome to join us in the membership group - multiple options for group coaching from Sue as well as learning in a community of other parents on this unschooling journey!
