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...

Unschooling is widely misunderstood on the internet!  Sue Patterson, who unschooled her own 3 now-grown "kids" shares how to be successful at interpreting unschooling. Thinking of it as a compass, it points you toward more individualization and more connection as opposed to simply duplicating what is familiar. It's time to rethink how we approach learning, parenting, and kids! This Unschooling Mom2Mom podcast can help you do that! Unschooling Resources Mentioned: Creating Confidence...

Just because school has started doesn't mean summer is over! Unschoolers get to have summer until temperatures show that it really isn't summer any more! No artificial season changes, just because school says so!  In this podcast, we talk about how to get the most out of these very summery September days! Unschooling Resources Mentioned: Rewriting the Rules Podcast/Blogpost  or YouTube VideoCreating Confidence Special Deal for Podcast ListenersUnschooling Guide: Brainstorm Time!Strewing...

Sometimes it takes a while to get to the point where you try something really unconventional - like unschooling.  Time's ticking though - the kids are getting older and doing what's familiar doesn't seem to be working for a lot of people. You DO have options! This Unschooling Mom2Mom Podcast shares how Sue Patterson went from a suburban mom who's kids weren't enjoying school - to 100% confident in the unschooling approach. She didn't do it alone and you don't have to either! This month,...

Need a little support during this Back-to-School Season? Or maybe your kids do too!? I have tips for things to do with the kids these first few weeks as neighbors, friends and cousins return to school, tips for YOU as the parent making this choice, and some reminders to help you feel more confident! RESOURCES MENTIONED: NOT Back-to-School Webinar THURSDAY - August 24, 2023  1pm (Central) Recording will be available and sent to those who register. Creating Confidence Membership  - August...

Today's Bonus Podcast is all about the simple fact that kids really don't have to go to school - or do school at home.   The Back to School season is upon us in full force - so I'm doing a few extra podcasts with encouragement.    I'm including a Back to Basics list to help those who are starting out on the unschooling path - or those who may have missed some details in the beginning of this unconventional journey! Read along at the website and access all the Unschooling Resources here:...

It's Decision Time! You don't have to walk through this "Back-to-School" season all alone!  This is the first video in our NOT Back-to-School series.  Sue Patterson walks you through 3 tips to remember.  Stay tuned, I'll have more this week - so be sure to subscribe so you'll be notified! I'm offering this here on the podcast as well as at YouTube. __________________________________________ 2 Free PDFs MENTIONED: Unschooling Essentials...

Whether the Back to School season is bothering your or you just need a little nudge to remember why you're going a different direction from... nearly everyone you know... this Unschooling Mom2Mom podcast offers a little encouragement. We're "breaking up" with school once and for all. And this is my letter to school, explaining why! 😉 More help for you this week: Sign up for my email list so we stay connected: https://unschooling-mom2mom.ck.page/49e159063f Annual NOT Back to School...

We have stories in our head about what Kindergarten is SUPPOSED to be like - but what if they're not reality based? What if you're feeling conflicted about sending your little one off to Kindergarten? Let's talk about how wonderful it could be for YOU to offer the real world to your little 5 year old! We may have to break down some ideas that we're hanging onto (that aren't reality-based) - but you don't have to do that by yourself!  AND! I created a free PDF for you with 55 Activity...

Do you need a permission slip? Does it make you nervous to just boldly go on out there and do this wildly unconventional approach to educating your children? That's what we're talking about this week on the Unschooling Mom2Mom podcast.  Why are you lacking confidence? What COULD your life look like? What could YOUR KIDS' lives look like instead of what you have now? Yes. I have a permission slip for you over at the blogpost! I mentioned the 50% discount on the Jumping into Unschooling...

You've decided you want to unschool - but sometimes you have some hesitations. What's THAT all about? That's what we're going to talk about this week on the Unschooling Mom2Mom podcast.  Our own school experiences may actually be a fairly accurate predictors of how much inner resistance we might have! Knowledge + Support = Unschooling Success! UNSCHOOLING RESOURCES MENTIONED: Deschooling Information (Playlist on YouTube) Deschooling Resources at the website Half Off Sale on...