The Path to Unschooling: How to Know When You’re Ready to Start
Thinking about unschooling but feel like you’re supposed to “try everything else first”?
Podcast Transcript:
Hey there, it’s Sue Patterson, and welcome back to the Unschooling Mom2Mom podcast.
Today I want to talk to the part of you that’s wondering...
“Should I choose unschooling if I haven’t tried everything else? Shouldn’t I try the other options first? ”
Like...
“I haven’t done enough with Charlotte Mason methods.”
“Maybe the right app or workbook is out there. I just need to dive a little deeper”
“What if I just need to tweak the schedule a little more?”
I get it. I’ve been there.
Unschooling can feel like the last stop on the homeschooling train — like something you only try when you’re out of other options.
I used to think that too.
I kept thinking maybe I just hadn’t found the right mix of structure yet.
Or the right curriculum.
Or the right online platform.
Because unschooling felt...a little too out there.
A little too free.
A little scary.
But here’s what I wish someone had said to me back then:
You don’t have to exhaust every other method before you say yes to natural learning.
You don’t need to wait until you’re frustrated or burned out.
You don’t need to prove that the “schooly” way won’t work.
Unschooling isn’t extreme.
It’s not radical.
It’s human.
It’s how we all learn — when we’re curious, supported, and not being pushed.
And when we give our kids that freedom?
Something beautiful unfolds — in them and in us.
Let’s pause here for a second.
If part of you is hesitating — if you find yourself holding back — it might be worth asking why.
Sometimes what’s holding us back isn’t a lack of information.
It’s the noise around us — from Facebook groups, from well-meaning friends, from that lady in the co-op - or even from our own inner critic.
Do you need more information?
Have people in your homeschooling community mischaracterized unschooling?
Do you feel a little embarrassed to show up and say,
“Um, yeah, I
am one of those kinds of homeschoolers. Or… I might be.”
If so, you’re not alone.
We’ve all been there — balancing curiosity and fear, trying to find our footing in a world that doesn’t quite get what we’re doing.
Here’s something to try:
When a worry comes up, ask yourself,
“Do I know this to be true, or have I just heard gossip?”
Because there’s a lot of hearsay out there — about kids missing out, not learning enough, not getting into college.
But the reality?
Those fears don’t hold up when you look at the facts.
And I can say that because if I haven’t personally walked through that fear myself, I’ve helped hundreds of parents who have.
If you want real answers — about transcripts, college, gaps, critics — I’ve laid it all out for you on the Unschooling Mom2Mom website.
So if you’re feeling drawn to unschooling — even if you’re not sure you’re “ready” — I want you to know:
💛 You are ready enough.
💛 You don’t need to try all the other things first.
💛 You’re allowed to start here.
And if you’d like a space to unpack these thoughts with other parents who
get it, I’d love to have you join us in the
Creating Confidence Membership.
It’s where we work through these same worries, ask honest questions, and remind each other that we’re doing okay — even when we’re still figuring things out.
You can find the link in the show notes. I'm about to walk into a coaching call after I finish this! We do 2 live calls each week - community members and me, getting answers, brainstorming, growing our confidence.
Podcast listeners have a special link to skip the SignUp fee and just start with the month-to-month membership. Be sure to check the notes to get that!
Thanks for listening today.
I’m really glad you’re here. You can have the life you want - I want to help you get that.
See you next time. 💛
