Stories of an Unschooling Family

197: What Do Unschoolers Do Each Day? Oct 11, 2023

Show notes

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

196: Unschooling, Video Games, and Freedom Oct 03, 2023

Show notes

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

195: What is Unschooling? Sep 25, 2023

Show notes

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

194: Unschoolers, Chores and Rosters Sep 18, 2023

Show notes

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

193: Should We Push Kids to Use Their Talents, Aim High and Impress? Sep 08, 2023

Show notes

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!

192: The Stories of Our Lives Aug 14, 2023

Show notes

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.

191: Be Brave and The Unschool Challenge Mar 02, 2023

Show notes

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

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

190: Clock Watching, Short Lessons and Curious Questions Sep 01, 2022

Show notes

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

What I discovered When I Became a Video Gamer

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!

189: The Important People in Our Lives Sep 22, 2021

Show notes

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

My Unschooling Books

The Angels of Wallaby Way: available very soon!