Podcast Transcript Each year, about this time, I get a little twinge that lasts about a month or so - especially when I walk into a grocery store or Target or any other place that has those Back-to-School shopping aisles. I know that some families are excited to be getting all their stuff together for the new year.  And school works for them. And I also overhear some moms loudly announcing, “Only four more days…” with their kids in earshot… envisioning their relaxing lunch dates and calmer afternoons before the kids get home. The kids don’t usually seem that happy about their moms’ gl ..read more

What do you do when your teen hates school ...and anything that seems even a little bit "educational? In this episode of the Unschooling Mom2Mom Podcast, Sue Patterson shares how and why the unschooling approach is perfect for this! Podcast Transcript Hi Everyone! It’s time we talk about teens again! I’ll share a message I received just today about a family that’s wondering how to do this. So instead of answering her and sending her some resources, I thought I’d put it in the podcast! If we haven’t met or this is your first time listening, I’m Sue Patterson, and this is the Unschooling ..read more

Podcast Transcript Are you having trouble Connecting with your Kids? That's what we're talking about this week! Some of us are naturals at this. Maybe we had parents that did a good job or maybe we simply have a more playful personality. But even if this isn’t your strong suit - don’t give up!! I have some insights, ideas and even tools to help you and your kids connect better. Hello! If we haven’t met, I’m Sue Patterson and this is the Unschooling Mom2Mom podcast. These are quick weekly pep talks to help you see that unschooling works. My own 3 unschooled kids are grown now - but I had ..read more

The world provides so many interesting and curious opportunities. Kids are engaging in these all the time. As parents, our job is to notice the learning that is happening right in front of us! I spoke about unschooling at a conference in Texas recently. The most common question here - as well as everywhere else is: If our state requires that we cover certain subjects, what's an unschooler to do? Curriculum, subjects, lesson plans - those are familiar to all of us. But they've put the cart before the horse. They focus on the teaching aspects instead of starting with The Learner. The Learner ..read more

What if you're not sure? What if you're ALMOST Unschooling - would that work? Podcast Transcript This past weekend, I spoke at a local conference about imagining education in different ways. I was the Unschooling Representative. So most people there weren’t really unschoolers or even that interested in unschooling. Of course, I talked to them anyway. One of the most common responses from those who HAD heard of unschooling, but felt they wanted to do partialll unschooling and partial traditional homeschooling approach. Maybe you can relate? I think a lot of people feel this way. So I want ..read more

Following Kids' Interests Podcast Transcript When you start to explore unschooling, you hear a lot about kids following interests. And initially, for a lot of people, they think of 1-2 things they’ve seen their kids interested in - Lego, playing make believe, Fortnight or Minecraft. And they can’t wrap their brain around that being “enough.” Well, it is, and it isn’t. I want us to talk about what “following interests” really means.  And how it works for unschoolers. Nice to Meet You! If we haven’t met yet, I’m Sue Patterson and I run all the things associated with Unschooling Mom2M ..read more

Father’s Day… and Unschooling With Father’s Day around the corner, as Unschooling Mom2Mom, I thought we could give a nod to the dads. I know, all these manufactured greeting card holidays! And lots of unschooling families are single mom families - or all kinds of family configurations. So I don’t presume that everyone’s family looks alike. And even in our family, my husband really didn’t like Father’s Day and the hoopla that went around it. He bought what he wanted for himself and didn’t need the kids or me to do it. It felt forced. And maybe his Love Language was not Gifts! But some unschoo ..read more

You've been curious about unschooling - so let's dive into this together just for the summer! Podcast transcript How about  Unschooling This Summer ? It might be easier for you to look at unschooling - and look at your child - without all the pressures that come when the school season kicks off. I’m not talking about a Summer Reading Program, or seeing where you can slip in some math games. I’m talking about Real Unschooling. The kind that let’s the kid be in the driver’s seat - where parents play SUPPORTING roles instead of a DIRECTING roles. Maybe you’ve been Kind of Unschooling ..read more

Let's talk about a few Unschooling Myths   Podcast transcript Last time we talked a bit about what unschooling IS. This week, let's talk a little about what it IS NOT.​ We hear so many conflicting ideas on the internet of what people think "being an unschooler" means. Sure, we all have our own ways of connecting within our own families - and that's why we don't have a precise formula for what unschooling is. Still, there are a few principles that carry through all that unique-ness! And a few things you may read that aren't really true. ​ So let's tackle some Myths and Misconceptions thi ..read more

Unschooling Offers Parent Benefits too! Podcast Transcript Last August, I did a podcast about the  Pros and Cons of unschooling. Someone mentioned that I omitted all the Positives that come for Unschooling Parents when they make this choice. So that’s what I want to talk to you about today. We hear people sigh and say, “Oh I could never do unschool!” or “How do you have time to get anything done when you choose this way to parent and educate.” And yes, it’s immersive. And yes, you miss out on the free babysitting that comes when you send your kids off to school for the better par ..read more