Stories Of An Unschooling Family

Today, on my birthday, I’m chatting about ageing, experimenting, taking risks, encouraging others, and other things.  Show Notes I mentioned: The Self Directed podcast with the Conrads Episode 65 of the Self Directed podcast: Sue Elvis / Stories of an Unschooling Family  The Unschooling Together community Podcast episode 3, Getting Older, Admitting One’s Age, Lines and Wrinkles The Video Version of this episode on YouTube    My Unschooling Books Curious Unschoolers: Kindle Curious Unschoolers: paperback Radical Unschool Love: Kindle Radical Unschool Love: paperback The Unschool Challenge: Kindle The Unschool Challenge: paperback  My Amazon Author Page   Where You Can Find Me Unschooling Community The Unschooling Together community Youtube Sue Elvis Blogs Stories of an Unschooling Family Wholy Souly Instagram https://www.instagram.com/stories_ofan_unschoolingfamily/stories_ofan_unschoolingfamily      

I’m back with my author daughter Imogen! In this episode, we’re chatting about… Writing and how Imogen is promoting and selling her YA novels Collaboration and how we achieve more when we work together The ups and downs of social media We also share some news and tell a couple of stories, including the one about my frightening Frida Kahlo eyebrows!   Show Notes We mentioned The Virtual Kitchen Table podcast The Self Directed podcast with the Conrads The Unschooling Together community The Christian Unschooling group and Zoom discussions within the Unschooling Together community. Writing podcasts with Imogen: episodes 181 and 183   My Unschooling Books Curious Unschoolers: Kindle Curious Unschoolers: paperback Radical Unschool Love: Kindle Radical Unschool Love: paperback My Amazon Author Page   Where You Can Find Me Unschooling Community The Unschooling Together community Youtube Sue Elvis Blogs Stories of an Unschooling Family Wholy Souly Instagram https://www.instagram.com/stories_ofan_unschooli

This week, I’m talking about: Desires and Expectations Are desires good? Are expectations about control? Can our expectations spoil our family celebrations? Challenges Should we give our kids space to set their own challenges? Do we need to challenge ourselves too? Books Do people judge us on our book choices? Can sharing the books we’re reading lead to some stimulating unschooling conversations? The Santa Myth Is it wrong to pretend Santa brings gifts to our kids? Is that lying? Should we eliminate Santa from our Christmas celebrations? Or is it possible to include the magic of Santa with the true meaning of the season? 2023 What were the highs and lows of my year? Does blogging about our kids lead to problems? Should adults make time for their passions and interests? Can we feel lost when our kids grow up? How do we move on? What do we do while we’re working out what to do next? Is it important we’re successful in a big way? Stories I’m sharing a story about books, people’s opinions, and the difficulties o

This week, I’m talking about right and wrong… If we think something is right, should we do it? Do we have to push through any difficulties we might encounter? Perhaps we can’t give up unless we’re willing to do something we know is wrong. And if we do that, we won’t feel at peace. The big question is: is unschooling the right thing to do? If it is, we shouldn’t be concerned about the future. Whatever happens, regardless of the outcome, we’ll know we did what we should have done.  Also, how do kids learn right from wrong if we always love them regardless of their behaviour? Are the critics right? Are unschooling parents irresponsible? Or do our strong connections allow us to guide our kids? I have lots of stories and comments to share with you!   Show Notes Please visit my blog Stories of an Unschooling Family, to read my blog post, Unschooling: Doing What Is Right. It contains this episode’s show notes!   My Unschooling Books The Unschool Challenge: Kindle The Unschool Challenge: paperback Curious Uns

Do good parents stay firmly in control of their children, demanding obedience, good behaviour and respect? Do they practise tough love? Or are there problems with this method of parenting? Is there some other way of raising kids to be good people who want to do what is right? Is it okay to parent with unconditional love?   This week, I’m sharing a few stories on this topic. I also have a request or plea for help.   Show Notes Please visit my blog, Stories of an Unschooling Family, to read my post,  Tough or Unconditional Love?Parent or Friend?  It contains today’s show notes.   My Unschooling Books The Unschool Challenge: Kindle The Unschool Challenge: paperback Curious Unschoolers: Kindle Curious Unschoolers: paperback Radical Unschool Love: Kindle Radical Unschool Love: paperback My Amazon Author Page  

Is unschooling about drifting aimlessly through each day? Do unschoolers waste time? Or do they live intentionally responding to their needs and making sure they achieve the things that are relevant and important to them? Do unschoolers direct their lives instead of letting life direct them? Is that the meaning of true freedom? Does the word ‘planning’ have a place in unschooling? This week, I’m discussing these questions and more while telling a few stories.   Show Notes Please visit my blog, Stories of an Unschooling Family, to read my post,  Do Unschoolers Drift Aimlessly Through Each Day? It contains today’s show notes.   My Unschooling Books The Unschool Challenge: Kindle The Unschool Challenge: paperback Curious Unschoolers: Kindle Curious Unschoolers: paperback Radical Unschool Love: Kindle Radical Unschool Love: paperback My Amazon Author Page      

It is what it is. An interesting episode or not. I don’t suppose it matters. All that’s important is love.  

Is it irresponsible to trust and unschool teenagers? When unschoolers reach the teenage years, is it time for something else? Or could unschooling be exactly what our older kids need? Could it keep them safe? This week, I’m discussing these questions and more, sharing lots of thoughts, stories and resources. Show Notes Please visit my blog, Stories of an Unschooling Family, to read my post,  Could Unschooling Be Exactly What Teenagers Need to Do? It contains today’s show notes.   My Unschooling Books The Unschool Challenge: Kindle The Unschool Challenge: paperback Curious Unschoolers: Kindle Curious Unschoolers: paperback Radical Unschool Love: Kindle Radical Unschool Love: paperback My Amazon Author Page    

Should children be responsible for their own educations? Or is that an irresponsible idea? This week, I’m exploring lots of questions including: Is learning an active activity that needs the learner’s cooperation? Is it impossible to force knowledge into a child without resorting to teaching methods that ultimately destroy their natural love of learning? Is forced learning real learning? Is it better to unschool and let children learn what’s important to them? But if we choose unschooling, will our kids, one day, accuse us of side-stepping our duty and not providing them with a good education? Show Notes Please visit my blog, Stories of an Unschooling Family, to read my post, Who Should Be Responsible for a Child’s Education, the Parent or the Child? It contains today’s show notes.   My Unschooling Books The Unschool Challenge: Kindle The Unschool Challenge: paperback Curious Unschoolers: Kindle Curious Unschoolers: paperback Radical Unschool Love: Kindle Radical Unschool Love: paperback My Amazon Author

Is unschooling about staying in bed late, spending lazy days in the forest, and baking cookies?  Or is there more to unschooling than that? What does a typical unschooling day look like? Will it be different in different families? Will it change over time? Whatever it looks like, will it always be packed with deep learning, the kind that matters and makes a difference? I discuss these questions and more in episode 197. Show Notes Please visit my blog, Stories of an Unschooling Family, to read my post, What Do Unschoolers Do Each Day? It contains today’s show notes.   My Unschooling Books The Unschool Challenge: Kindle The Unschool Challenge: paperback Curious Unschoolers: Kindle Curious Unschoolers: paperback Radical Unschool Love: Kindle Radical Unschool Love: paperback My Amazon Author Page

This week, I’m discussing the following questions: If we control our kids, will we affect their mental health? Can video games provide safe refuges from a difficult world? Do kids need to play games so they can learn how to handle them? Are video games valuable? Do we need to experience gaming if we want to understand it’s impact on our kids? I’m sharing a couple of stories and lots of thoughts.   Show Notes Please visit my blog, Stories of an Unschooling Family, to read my post, Video Games, Control, Mental Health and Freedom. It contains today’s show notes.   My Unschooling Books The Unschool Challenge: Kindle The Unschool Challenge: paperback Curious Unschoolers: Kindle Curious Unschoolers: paperback Radical Unschool Love: Kindle Radical Unschool Love: paperback My Amazon Author Page

This week, I’m going back to basics: I’m discussing the question, What is Unschooling? I’m also sharing several stories to illustrate my definition: What Is Unschooling? Why Unschooling Isn’t a Method of Homeschooling What Is Unschooling? A Transcript I also share some links to other unschoolers’ definitions of unschooling.   Show Notes Please visit my blog, Stories of an Unschooling Family, to read my post, Unschool Basics: What Is Unschooling? It contains today’s show notes.   My Unschooling Books The Unschool Challenge: Kindle The Unschool Challenge: paperback Curious Unschoolers: Kindle Curious Unschoolers: paperback Radical Unschool Love: Kindle Radical Unschool Love: paperback My Amazon Author Page

This week, I'm discussing chores. How do we encourage our kids to be generous and willing workers? I’m sharing two stories: How to Get Kids to Do the Chores The Radical Chore Roster Please visit my blog, Stories of an Unschooling Family, to read my post, Can Radical Unschoolers Use Chore Rosters? It contains today’s show notes.   My Unschooling Books The Unschool Challenge: Kindle The Unschool Challenge: paperback Curious Unschoolers: Kindle Curious Unschoolers: paperback Radical Unschool Love: Kindle Radical Unschool Love: paperback My Amazon Author Page

This week, I’m sharing a blog post, Should We Push Kids to Use Their Talents, Aim High and Impress? This post includes stories about people who have followed the pathway desired by their parents and ended up unhappy. And there’s one story about a man who, despite achieving the necessary grades to study medicine or law, chose to become a high school teacher. I’ve included lots of links to books, videos and other resources. Please visit my blog, Stories of an Unschooling Family, to read my post and look at these links. And I’d love you to check out my unschooling books, Curious Unschoolers, Radical Unschool Love, and The Unschool Challenge, which you can find on Amazon!

In episode 192 of my Stories of an Unschooling Family podcast, I talked about: Homework for Life Generating writing ideas Creating second brains Homeschool records, including strewing and planning notebooks and family journals Social media and other online distractions Also: I shared Matthew Dicks’ book, Storyworthy and Tiago Forte’s book,  Building a Second Brain. I told two stories of my life, one about a kangaroo and the other about trees topped with a bright green fuzz of new leaves. I read my blog post, The Writing Game: No Shortage of Writing Ideas. And I discussed the note-taking apps, Apple Notes, Evernote and Notion. Please visit my blog, Stories of an Unschooling Family to read the associated post that includes a list of resources.

This week, I'm sharing some big news: I've published a new unschooling book! In this episode, I tell you about The Unschool Challenge, share some family news and a couple of resources, and ponder lots of unschooling thoughts and ideas along the way.   Show Notes   My Unschooling Books The Unschool Challenge: Kindle The Unschool Challenge: paperback Curious Unschoolers: Kindle Curious Unschoolers: paperback Radical Unschool Love: Kindle Radical Unschool Love: paperback My Amazon Author Page   Where You Can Find Me Blog: Stories of an Unschooling Family Instagram: stories_ofan_unschoolingfamily Youtube: Sue Elvis   Things I Mention in This Episode   John Holt's Growing Without Schooling magazine   The Virtual Kitchen Table podcast Episode 5, Part 1: Kindness and Unconditional Love: What Do They Have to Do with Unschooling? Episode 5, Part 2: Kindness and Unconditional Love: What Do They Have to Do with Unschooling? Watch out for the Virtual Kitchen Table podcast about deschooling and The Unschool Challenge. It

After a long break, I’m back!   In this episode, I read one of my stories called Clock Watching and comment on it. I share some news, including some about the future of my blog and podcast.  I mention a couple of resources that I hope you’ll find interesting. And, along the way, I share loads of unschooling thoughts!   Show Notes   Things mentioned in this episode: Blog post: Clock Watching Podcast episode 178: Strewing Unschooling and Charlotte Mason  Blog post: Unschooling when Charlotte Mason Appeals to Our Hearts Book: The Blue Castle by LM Montgomery  Book: Fingers in the Sparkle Jar by Chris Packham Documentary: Aspergers and Me by Chris Packham   My Unschooling Books Curious Unschoolers: Kindle Curious Unschoolers: paperback Radical Unschool Love: Kindle Radical Unschool Love: paperback My Amazon Author Page   Where You Can Find Me Youtube: Sue Elvis Blog: Stories of an Unschooling Family Instagram: stories_ofan_unschoolingfamily   Thank you for listening to this episode!   Error: I received enormous

I'm back! Are you surprised? I am! This week, I'm talking about: How lack of control makes us feel helpless. Do controlled kids feel helpless? Does control lead to mental health issues? If we want a society of responsible adults, do we need to listen to kids, give them freedom, and let them learn how to be responsible for themselves? Difficult times, friends, and our unschooling community How change can stretch us, and how we learn when we have an interest or a need Video gaming and what I've learnt since I became a video gamer My new children's novel, The Angels of Wallaby Way! Perfectionism, and the fear of criticism, and Marco Polo video messages The value of feedback, encouragement, and the most important people in our lives Show Notes Blog Post What I discovered When I Became a Video Gamer   My Unschooling Books Curious Unschoolers: Kindle Curious Unschoolers: paperback Radical Unschool Love: Kindle Radical Unschool Love: paperback The Angels of Wallaby Way: available very soon! My Am

This week, Imogen and I are discussing: The value of casual work and lower profile jobs How our kids can surprise us Jobs and passions Why we need to promote our work How to answer critics and critique other people’s work The importance of helping each other Jane Austen, Sanditon and Bridgerton Ageing And other things!   Show Notes   Things we mention in this episode This is Marketing: book by Seth Godin The Illustrated Man: book by Ray Bradbury Sanditon: miniseries adapted from Jane Austen's novel by Andrew Davies  Sanditon: unfinished Jane Austen novel Pride and Prejudice: 1995 miniseries adapted by Andrew Davies from Jane Austen's novel Bridgerton: miniseries Bridgerton: book by Julia Quinn   My Unschooling Books Curious Unschoolers: Kindle Curious Unschoolers: paperback Radical Unschool Love: Kindle Radical Unschool Love: paperback My Amazon Author Page   Where You Can Find Me Unschooling Community My Stories of an Unschooling Family community Youtube Sue Elvis Blogs St

This week, Imogen and I are talking about: High expectations and control. Do they result in unhappy children? Do controlled kids look for distractions? Does limiting screen time result in an increased attraction for devices? A novel that Imogen reviewed: Dear Hero Inspiration and different ways of telling a story How we can work together, share our skills, and help each other The Catholic Homeschool Conference (I'm a speaker!) News of two soon-to-be-produced unschooling podcasts   Show Notes Things we mentioned in this episode:   Indistractible by Nir Eyal Masterchef Australia 2021 Show Your Work by Austin Kleon Dear Hero by Hope Bolinger and Alyssa Roat Illuminae Files Book Series by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff The Catholic Homeschool Conference   My Unschooling Books Curious Unschoolers: Kindle Curious Unschoolers: paperback Radical Unschool Love: Kindle Radical Unschool Love: paperback My Amazon Author Page   Where You Can Find Me Unschooling Community My Stories of an Unschoo