Stop Letting Fear Hold You Back from Unschooling

Sue Patterson

I know... we all get nervous!

When we start unschooling - or even after we've done it for a little while - we can begin to wonder if

  • We're doing enough?
  • Doing it right?
  • ...Ruining our kids chances for success in the future!!??


It's a big responsibility! And parents who've opted to educate their children separately from the school system feel the weight!

Mary Griffith, author of the Unschooling Handbook, used to say:

Homeschooling parents suffer from Burnout.

Unschooling parents, though, suffer from middle-of-the-night panic attacks!

She was not kidding!!!



What to do about it though?

Now that my own kids are grown, I can tell you with confidence that unschooling works.

But I also know that when we have fear, it's hard to HEAR that.


So, after 25 years of talking with other parents, in the unschooling trenches, so to speak, I collected information based on the concerns that kept coming up. I've poured everything I know about the subject into these digital, full-color, magazine-style Guides. Yes, you could comb the archives of social media groups like Unschooling Mom2Mom, or you could just grab the ones that you need and dive on in. Your TIME alone is worth the $15!


So I'll explain what I have and who could benefit from reading them.
(Also, know that if you want a LOT of them, they're all available in the Creating Confidence Membership package)

If Unschooling is New to You...

Sometimes we have heard things that confuse us about unschooling. Or maybe it's brand new to you. Yes, I have a course called Jumping Into Unschooling (and it's wonderful), but if you want to simply have  a clear understanding of unschooling for a smaller price:

Maybe You're Worried about Academics?

Unschooled kids learn to read and do The Basics. These Guides will explain how that works!
Think of all the money you're going to save on curriculum!

Do You Have a Lot of Critics in your Life?

Sometimes that can be criticism from relatives, friends, our spouse - even ourselves!

 This Guide walks us through how to overcome these. It offers help to figure out what to say - even if you're still a little unsure yourself.

Critics/Naysayers Guide

Maybe You're Stuck in School Mode... a little bit (or a lot!)

Deschooling is something many of us have heard of, but we think it can be a one-and-done kind of things. I hate to be the Bearer of Bad News... but deschooling may be something you wrestle with as long as you're parenting! When kids get older or we feel more insecure about what we're doing, we can want to fall back on what's familiar. That's human nature. Both of these Guides can help you with this.

Some People Have Specific Questions...

Do you wonder what Life will LOOK LIKE? or how they'll make friends? or how to set up your home to do this?

Maybe you're wondering how you keep track of everything if it isn't in school subjects?
Or what do you do when the kids want to play online "all the time?"

So Then What Do You Do INSTEAD?

so glad you asked! These are my favorite ways to connect with your kids and see where their curiosities are!

By Sue Patterson June 13, 2025
Worried about how to create a high school transcript for your unschooler or relaxed homeschooler?? Whether your teen is headed to college, trade school —or isn’t sure yet— setting up a transcript will show you how to see the learning already happening, document it gently, and keep future doors open without shifting away from the educational approach you and your teen loves.
Was this homeschooling year a flop?
By Sue Patterson May 27, 2025
If this year didn't go as planned, let's talk about what to do! This Unschooling Mom2Mom podcast will help you pivot and wrap up the year on a good note!
Feeling unseen or judged in your homeschool group? Here’s what to do when your “support” group no lo
By Sue Patterson May 24, 2025
Feeling unseen or judged in your homeschool group? Here’s what to do when your “support” group no longer supports you—and how to find the right community.
Day in the life of an unschooler doing math - wait! That's Math?
By Sue Patterson May 23, 2025
Day in the life of an unschooler doing math - wait! That's Math?
By Sue Patterson May 4, 2025
How do you go from overwhelmed to confident when it comes to unschooling? Sue Patterson shares the strategy that works for hundreds of families - tackling the big issues one at a time!
Learning - Never really needed a classroom
By Sue Patterson April 30, 2025
Deschooling is often the stumbling block when homeschooling parents are struggling with unschooling.
By Sue Patterson April 27, 2025
Even Star Wars gives so many opportunities for kids to learn!
Will Unschoolers Learn Shakespeare?
By Sue Patterson April 20, 2025
Shakespeare can be fascinating and fun! Here's how unschooled kids are exposed to The Bard!
How will we know they're learning if we unschool?
By Sue Patterson April 3, 2025
Sue's Unschooling Mom2Mom Podcast shares 5 Tips to help you KNOW your unschooled kids are actually learning - plus some bonus ideas to consider!
Seasonal Unschooling in the Sprint
By Sue Patterson March 23, 2025
Seasonal unschooling offers the structure many parents want to find. Find out the specific information about how Spring offers ways for homeschooled and unschooled children to learn more about traditional stubjects like language arts, math, science, and social studies.
More Posts