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… 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_unschoolingfamily/stories_ofan_unschoolingfamily Where You Can Find Imogen Blog Write.Rewrite.Read Instagram write.rewrite.read Youtube Imogen Elvis Books The Crystal Tree The Shattering Song Frost Hands Thank you for listening to this episode!

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 of parenting: Is it Risky to Share Our Book Collections? What Will People Think? I’m also sharing a story about the Santa myth and family traditions from my book, The Unschool Challenge. Please visit my blog, Stories of an Unschooling Family, to leave a comment or say hello. This is my last episode for 2023. Thank you for listening. I hope you have a very happy Christmas! 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 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 Unschoolers: Kindle Curious Unschoolers: paperback Radical Unschool Love: Kindle Radical Unschool Love: paperback My Amazon Author Page

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. Show Notes Please visit my blog, Stories of an Unschooling Family, to read my post, Preventing Childhood Trauma with Unconditional Love. 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

Recently, from the bottom of the misery pit that I seem to have fallen into, I’ve had doubts about the worth of what I have to say. Blogging and podcasting haven’t seemed important. But despite questioning the value of what I’m sharing, there’s one thing I’m absolutely sure about: kids need unconditional love. Adults do too. This episode starts with an extra introductory bit where I share a few personal things and a couple of extra stories. Then I get into the real episode about unconditional love and parenting. Show Notes Please visit my blog, Stories of an Unschooling Family, to read my post, Preventing Childhood Trauma with Unconditional Love. 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 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 Page

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

Are kids more likely to suffer mental health problems if they experience excessive control? Could video games provide safe spaces for kids to retreat to when life becomes too difficult? If we insist kids leave their games and they get upset, could it be the real world that we’re forcing them to return to that’s the problem and not the video games? And if kids do have genuine trouble handling games and protest loudly when we take them away, how will they learn to deal with their feelings if they’re not allowed to play? I discuss these questions and more in episode 196. 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: Also: StoryworthyBuilding a Second Brain.The Writing Game: No Shortage of Writing Ideas 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’ll be available some time in the next few weeks. Why not subscribe to the podcast so you hear all about the latest episodes? Art of Manliness podcast Jane Austen for Dudes The Word on Fire Institute YouTube channel God and Gaming video series

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 bills for my blog hosting and podcast hosting. I didn't receive two bills for my podcast!

I'm back! Are you surprised? I am! This week, I'm talking about: 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 Amazon Author Page Where You Can Find Me Unschooling Community including Unschool Plus and Marco Polo My Stories of an Unschooling Family community Youtube Sue Elvis Blogs Stories of an Unschooling Family Where the Carol Birds Sing Thank you for listening to this episode!

This week, Imogen and I are discussing: 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 Stories of an Unschooling Family Where the Carol Birds Sing Instagram sue_elvis Where You Can Find Imogen Blog Write.Rewrite.Read Instagram write.rewrite.read Youtube Imogen Elvis Books The Crystal Tree The Shattering Song Frost Hands Thank you for listening to this episode!