If school or curriculum isn't working for your kids anymore, unschooling is an option I want you to know about.  Don't dump more money into yet another curriculum suggestion that's going to gather dust or cause power struggles. You home life can be so much better than that!  This Unschooling Mom2Mom Podcast will help you understand a little more.   Here are some of the resources mentioned: Unschooling Mom2Mom YouTube Channel (the mini-course will be available...

That's one of the biggest questions from parents looking into unschooling? It's what we talked about in April's Unschooling Question of the Month. And even after an hour of talking about it on the video (recording here) Sue Patterson shares even more about how unschooling provides everything your child will need! Free PDF mentioned on the Podcast: Follow-Up Unschooling Resources Academic Bundle Unschooling Guides to show you specifically how unschoolers learn The Basics...

Learning to unschool can be scary - and it's not unusual for parents to hang onto "a little curriculum" for certain subjects. Usually, it's the ones we don't feel that comfortable with. And why is that? Maybe it's simple preferences - but maybe it's because of the way schools taught us! This week, I want to encourage you to examine your ideas about subjects BEFORE you throw money at curriculum for the upcoming months.  Let's help you SEE that learning is happening all around - you don't...

Are you having trouble finding other unschooling families? Or maybe you’d just like to find people who don’t want to talk about curriculum all the time? This week, I'm sharing 5 ways you can find the people who are going to make this unschooling journey more enjoyable. It's so great to find others who are also working their way through their fears, deschooling their old ideas, and embracing a better life for their own family. Here are a few resources mentioned on the Podcast: 🎙 See the...

Pi Day is this Week!  And maybe you're looking for some ideas or wondering what to do if your kid isn't really into it.  Let's get real about PiDay! Collection of 85 Pi Day Memes and Jokes here: https://www.unschoolingmom2mom.com/pi-day Pinterest Board: Pi Day https://www.pinterest.com/umom2mom/pi-day-fun/ Strewing Calendar https://www.unschoolingmom2mom.com/strewing-calendars Sue's Membership Group - where parents support each other without any pressure! See what's included...

Parents worry all the time about whether their kids are on their devices too much. Our childhoods certainly weren't like this - and now that the kids are home all the time, that can seem like a LOT of time on technology. So what do we do? Sue Patterson shares strategies for how to accurately assess the situation and gives some solutions you could use today! UNSCHOOLING RESOURCES MENTIONED Unschooling Guide: Brainstorm Time Private Coaching with Sue Group Coaching Past Podcasts about...

I have a Bonus Episode for you this week! Last minute add-on! What's the big takeaway when an unschooling mom looks back? Lean into the Love. Originally written in 2012, and now updated for 2024, Sue Patterson share's what she wish she had known... way back when. More Valentine's Day info: https://www.unschoolingmom2mom.com/unschooling-valentines-day Join Sue's Unschooling Updates (free email list for weekly...

Unschoolers don't have to skip out on the fun that Valentine's Day can bring.  I know, it's Hallmark Celebration... and lots of people are not big fans. But you kids might enjoy some aspects of it - and I've pulled together 10 activities your family might like to try.  Science ProjectsParty food ideasJokes/RiddlesArts & CraftsVideosLove LanguagesTONS of MEMES - some would be so fun to text to your big kids! Unschooling is about connecting with our kids. It’s going to give you insight into...

I have 5 Signs that it may be time for you to start unschooling! Whether you've been homeschooling and it's not working out as planned, or you're looking for alternatives to public schools, I want to share how to get started homeschooling from an unschooling perspective. I know, it can be scary to do something this unconventional, but gather some information and support, and you'll be able to do this. Think of me as virtually holding your hand as you gain confidence! Here's the link for...

Many of us memorized math facts that we don't use a lot in our adult lives. But what if I told you that you actually DO use many of them - even the Pythagorean Theorem - but you just don't realize it? This is a little different podcast this week, prompted by something that happened to me after a podcast interview as well as something I've seen recently on social media - you probably have too! So let's take a few minutes to talk about how even something like the Pythagorean Theorem really...

After spending most of the month talking about typical unschooling days - and how nothing is really "typical", this week, I'm doing a 180! Turns out, there ARE some things that are typical in the day in the life of a successful unschooling family. And I want you to know what that is!  Actually, I've come up with SEVEN Tips that set successful unschooling parents apart from the rest. I now have a Typical Day Playlist over at YouTube so you can watch/listen to anything I have that refers to...

What IS an unschooling day like? That's one of the most common questions when parents are thinking about unschooling as a homeschooling option. We KNOW what school looks like. We even have a pretty good guess about what traditional school-at-home homeschooling looks like. But unschooling? That's a different story! Sue Patterson shares insight on what's typical about unschooling days - and what's the problem with trying to find a formula or someone else's day to duplicate.  Plus she's...

So many people struggle with deschooling.  It's probably less about doing it "right" or "wrong" and more about recognizing that it's not a one-and-done kind of thing.  We're in a hurry to get on with it, right?  This Unschooling Mom2Mom podcast is all about REALLY examining deschooling. Can you do it in a week or a month and then plug the kids into an, albeit modified, version of school (traditional homeschooling)? Or is this the source of all that frustration you may be having lately?...

As the semester winds down, many homeschooling parents are taking another look at their options.  Maybe these past few months weren't what they expected. Maybe they'd like something different. Whether you're new to homeschooling this year, or you've been doing this for a little while, here's the reassurance you need that you're not alone! AND the information you need to know your next steps! Sue shares 5 Steps to Start the Transition from traditional homeschooling to unschooling. Don't...

Here's your open invitation to give unschooling a try this month! I have a lot of resources to help you see what it's like.   Here are few mentioned on today's podcast: Unschooling Guide: Holiday Learning This mini-magazine will show you all the subjects weaving through typical holiday activities. Once you see this, you won't feel guilty about ditching the curriculum this month! Mega Collection of Holiday...

Competition, comparison, and measuring our children may seem natural to us - because that's how we were raised. But maybe it's working against us as we move toward unschooling.  Sue Patterson shares 4 ideas to consider that may help you make a healthier shift for yourself and your kids. 3 other podcasts mentioned:  What's Your Why?Your Own Educational PhilosophyYour Unschooling ManifestoJoin the Membership Today - No Sign-Up Fee for Podcast Listeners! You don't have to figure this all out by...

While we may be a little nervous about this season of get-togethers with friends and family - our kids may need a little help from us. Prepping ahead of time is the key to success! This Unschooling Mom2Mom Podcast/blogpost will show you how to get everyone out of The Hot Seat! Unschooling Resources Mentioned Black Friday Sales on Courses and MembershipUnschooling Guide: Critics and NaysayersHomeschooled Teens: 75 Young People Speak About Life Without SchoolAdditional Podcasts and...

November is the month a lot of people focus on the benefits of Gratitude.  Creating Gratitude Journals is one of the most popular tools.  Some of our kids may love to write and journal while others... not so much!  This podcast is all about seeing the different ways we can use the concept of Gratitude Journals - whether your kids are writers or not!  Here are a few resources mentioned in the podcast: 15 Free Gratitude PromptsUnschooling Guide: GratitudeUnschooling Challenge with the...

Are you choosing to unschooling, but your own parents are not embracing it? Sue Patterson shares what may be going on in this week's Unschooling Mom2Mom Podcast! Go to the website to see the graphic mentioned. Unschooling Resources Unschooling Guide: Critics and Naysayers This PDF Guide will help you as you deal with your own critics. Creating Confidence Membership Group Sometimes we need to surround ourselves with other who will be more...

With Halloween a week away, this episode of the Unschooling Mom2Mom Podcast is all about some of the issues that might pop up for us, like: Candy consumptionBig Kids trick-or-treatingCriticism from people who don't like how we want to do thingsIf you hop over to the website, you'll see the transcript but also a collection from other unschooling parents:  Halloween MoviesHalloween BooksLink for Pinterest activitiesAnd if you need to surround yourself with other parents who are stepping away...

When we're not moving in the direction of lesson plans and curriculum, what's an unschooler to do? Brainstorm with the Kids! That's what we're talking about this week. Here are some of the resources mentioned in this Unschooling Mom2Mom Podcast. Unschooling Resources for You! Unschooling Guide: Brainstorm Time! Use this as your planning tool to figure things out WITH the kids! Everything Counts Ebook A Subject-based PDF identifying typical activities where subjects are actually in...

Quick answer: YES!  This week's Unschooling Mom2Mom podcast will walk you through some of the nuances connected with "being legal." How to find the laws that apply where you liveHow to interpret the requirementsHow to handle documentationHow unschoolers "cover" subjects when they're requiredEven Info for International unschoolers You can read the transcript here: Is Unschooling Legal? Resources mentioned in the podcast: Find Local Groups Unschooling Mom2Mom Facebook Group Unschooling...

Even if you aren't unschooling, these tips will help you see how your homeschooling experience with the kids could be so much better! Sue Patterson shares nearly 30 years of experience here on this week's podcast, helping you think about what matters and what doesn't really matter TO YOU. While you'll continue to deshool - because we can't see everything all at once, these ideas will plant some seeds to help you truly individualize the home education process for you and the kids! ⬇️ ...

People have been referring to unschooling as unparenting for decades - and nothing could be farther from the truth! When people use the term “unparenting,” they usually mean something like this: No assistance or direction from the parentsParents who don’t publicly reprimand their kids when they don’t conform socially.Parents not enforcing bed times, allowing “back talk,” – not adhering to mainstream parenting techniquesKids who seem wild in public, maybe presenting with messy hair/poor...