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!

Mom starting Pi Day - Kids Not Interested
By Sue Patterson March 12, 2026
Pi Day Without the Hype — When "Fun Learning" Falls Flat
two kids. Quirky kids? Unschooling & Neurodivergence
By Sue Patterson March 9, 2026
Learn why neurodivergent kids thrive outside traditional school—and how unschooling families use neurodivergent-informed parenting strategies to support all kids.
Real Life Learning opportunities with daylight saving time
By Sue Patterson March 7, 2026
Daylight Saving Time explained: Homeschooling and unschooling families discover 10 surprising facts and real-life learning opportunities when we change the clocks.
By Sue Patterson February 27, 2026
Struggling with unschooling doubt or feeling like you’re not doing enough? Discover how daily reinforcement helps homeschooling parents build steady confidence.
Where did your confidence go?
By Sue Patterson February 14, 2026
Feeling steady one day, and panicking the next?
Strewing the Winter Olympics
By Sue Patterson February 5, 2026
Homeschooling parents discover how kids learn naturally from the 2026 Winter Olympics through strewing—no curriculum, lessons, or checklists required at home.
Sunflower Deschooling  It's not a one-and-done thing
By Sue Patterson January 27, 2026
Deschooling isn’t a one-time phase homeschooling parents expect. As kids grow, familiar school-based fears return. Learn when to revisit deschooling and recalibrate.
Unschooling questinos
By Sue Patterson January 22, 2026
Feeling lost about teaching your kids? Sue Patterson shares unschooling reassurance and perspective on learning beyond school— without pressure, plans, or lessons.
Why deschooling is really for parents
By Sue Patterson January 13, 2026
When deschooling feels uncomfortable, it’s usually homeschooling parents—not kids—who struggle. Learn what’s really happening when learning looks “too relaxed.”
When school at home homeschooling stop working - new pdcast
By Sue Patterson January 6, 2026
If traditional homeschooling or school-at-home isn’t working anymore, this post explores why that happens and how unschooling can be a practical next step.
More Posts