Honey! I'm Homeschooling The Kids

Conscious Parenting & Deschooling Re-examining how we live, learn and parent.   Welcome to episode 116. This episode is a recording of my December Clubhouse room with Tira Hunter, Erika Kesliman and Missy Willis. Our theme ~ Conscious Parenting and Deschooling goes deeper into our journey of learning and self refelction.   Tira Hunter is an unschooling mom to 18 year old Zoi. Tira decided to homeschool Zoi part way through elementary school and after trying to replicate school at home with misery, they found the path to unschooling. With unschooling, Zoi was able to exercise her independence and creativity. Zoi works as a commissioned artist and is currently writing her own comic. Tira is an advocate for the deschooling process.   Erica Kesilman is an unschooling mom to 3 children, ages 2, 5 & 7. She is a previous public school educator and is now a certified conscious parenting coach. She feels that conscious parenting and reflection is a necessary part of the deschooling process.   Missy Willis is an unschooling mom to her 2 children, ages 19 and 14. They have unschooled for 13 years and counting. She is a former teacher and now supports parents through her writing and conversations at Let 'em Go Barefoot. Deschooling~ A quick definition I define deschooling as the concept of living life and learning outside of the ideas of the traditional institution of school. The idea of learning and school is often synonymous. The belief that is supported is that learning is only done within the walls of the classroom and top down with certain people. Instead we start to look at learning as an internal process, inclusive with community, at different times and stages. Living and learning comes together. Getting comfortable with allowing learning to happen in a different way than we have done it. In This Episode This episodes shares personal reflections from 3 parents that found their way to unschooling and why deschooling has been such an important part of their family's transition from school. This is what you will hear in this episode....   Words that defined our conversation- flexibility, retooling, space, wisdom, power, sovereignty, respect, self worth, trust, connection, worthiness, intentions, values, genius, agency and relationship.   What is deschooling and why is it important?   What is conscious parenting   Conscious parenting practices   Where do our beliefs come from?   Replicating school at home- School think vs Unschooling & Homeschooling   Looking at our values as a family   Why homeschooling is nothing like school   Exploring freedom for our children and for ourselves   What to do when your partner is not on the same page of the deschooling process? Resources Deschooling Society~ Ivan Illich   My favourite Resources~ https://imhomeschooling.com/homeschool-resources/   Erica Kesilman- https://www.ericakesilman.com/   Let 'Em Go Barefoot   Homeward- Zoi's Comic on Webtoons   Teenage Liberation Handbook~ Grace Llewellyn   Peter Gray Free To Learn   John Taylor Gatto   Children of The Code   Skip College Other Episodes to Check Out Missy Willis~https://imhomeschooling.com/conscious-educator/   Peter Gray~ https://imhomeschooling.com/free-to-learn-peter-gray/   Building Literacy At Home~ https://imhomeschooling.com/building-literacy-at-home/  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Deschooling Money & Minimalism Rachel Rainbolt joins me on the podcast for episode 116, Deschooling, Money & Minimalism. This season we are moving further into the Deschooling process; what it means, why it is important, the broader impacts it has in our life and how it can positively impact our learning journey. (That's right. I said how it can positively impact our learning journey) Rachel Rainbolt, founder of Sage Family, is a gentle parenting, natural homeschooling, and simple living mentor. With a master’s degree in marital and family therapy, she has spent decades guiding thousands of overwhelmed families to peace and joy. Rachel works from the Pacific Northwest, where she lives wild and free in connection with her 3 wildlings and the papa bear in their fixer upper on the beach. In This Episode Homeschooling flourishes when we are intentionally connected to our values. In this episode we explore what those values are for Rachel's family and the impact it has on not just their learning world, but on the life they lead. It's all about Deschooling Money, Minimalism, Simplicity, Intentionality and Relationships in order to live our best life. Tune in to listen to our discussion on: Why natural homeschooling connects with Rachel's family's values and beliefs Minimalism- letting go of all of the stuff that doesn't matter so that we create space for what does Why unschooling is minimalism for education Minimalism in parenting Minimalism in relationships Simplifying life to fulfillment The idea of Excess for Success Spending in alignment with values Deschooling money- looking with nonjudgemental curiosity at our relationship with money What it means to have a healthy relationship with money and why this is a part of the Deschooling process How to talk about money with our kids without fear and baggage Resources Mentioned There were a ton of tips and resources on deschooling money and minimalism that we shared in this episode. You can find the links below Connect with Rachel Sage Family  Sage Family Podcast Rachel on Instagram Sage Family Village Bucket System (course) Homeschool Hacks (freebie) Sage Money (course) Money Mojo Quiz (freebie) Money Book List Books Mentioned A Simple Path To Wealth Total Money Makeover- Dave Ramsey Your Money Or Your Life- Vicki Robin The 4 Hour Work Week- Tim Ferris Connect With Robyn Homeschooling With Purpose Master Class How To Be An Awesome Homeschooler March Summit Listen to Rachel's first interview on the podcast and learn more about their journey into natural learning. Would you like to support the podcast? Become a patron~ https://www.patreon.com/honeyimhomeschoolingthekids Enjoy this episode? Share it on social media. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/honeyimhomeschoolingthekids/   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  Season 6- Deschooling and Growing Without School Welcome to a new season of Honey! I'm Homeschooling The Kids. Season 6. If you are new to the podcast, let me introduce myself. My name is Robyn Robertson and I am the creator and host of Honey! I'm Homeschooling The Kids. I am a home educating mom with hopes, dreams, failures and doubts. Just like you.  In this episode I share a little story about our family, how we found our way to homeschooling and to creating this podcast. I also share what I came to observe, notice and question as we found ourselves farther along this learning journey. What to expect for Season 6 This season we are diving further into Deschooling. 9 years and counting and we are still Deschooling! What is Deschooling? Deschooling is rethinking, reflecting and stepping away from the “schoolish” ideas and ways of thinking.  There is a period of adjustment from traditional school to homeschooling that is often referred to as deschooling.  Deschooling is taking an intentional step away from trying to replicate school at home and giving space (for your whole family) to adjust to the change. The transition from school to learning at home can be an adjustment in understanding the freedom you now have—because that freedom can be intimidating. After many years of being told what to do and how to do it, most of us have been thoroughly “schooled.” Deschooling is overcoming the conditioning that says that learning has to be done a certain way (or has to look a certain way) when, in fact, it does not. It is overcoming the conditioning that our children have to look and create in a certain way, when in fact they are as individual and different as we are.  I get many questions on the deschooling process and we will explore this further. Trust me, it helps. I'll share tools that have helped me on this journey and the stories of others that are in the thick of Deschooling. We will also explore the teen years in homeschooling and unschooling. As we continue to homeschool, our kids have grown older. Many homeschoolers now have young adults that grew up homeschooled, unschooled or have teens in the midst of it all. This is where our family is at. There have been so many discussion and questions that have come up for us. Especially as we prepare our children to enter the world, a world that still holds a fairly rigid belief on how things should be done and how young people should be viewed. What happens when your children don’t fit any of those molds?  Resources Project Based Homeschooling Book National Home Education Research Institute How To Be An Awesome Homeschooler Summit Would you like to support the podcast? Become a patron~ https://www.patreon.com/honeyimhomeschoolingthekids Enjoy this episode? Share it on social media. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/honeyimhomeschoolingthekids/  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Veteran Unschooling Moms Q&A Are you new to unschooling? Does it sound like a beautiful concept, to support your children in their natural, non-rushed learning process? But yet, are you still having a hard time wrapping your head around it?  What about the unschooled teens? What happens to the families that have unschooled all of their lives? Or for a major portion of their young lives into adulthood? How do they turn out? This episode features 5 veteran unschooling moms that I invited to my Homeschool Club on the Clubhouse app to answer questions about unschooling. I wanted to share the perspectives of parents that have been at this unschooling thing for a while. I wanted to bring knowledge and experience to the table. These are moms that I know, respect and have learned from myself. Veteran Unschooling Moms This is who joined the discussion... Sue Patterson of UnschoolingMom2Mom. Sue is mom to 3 grown Unschoolers, an Unschooling Coach and podcaster that offers wonderful insight. Karema Akilah of The Genius School is an unschooling mom to 6. Her children started out traditionally homeschooling until their "delight driven afternoons" became the primary focus and learning began to take on much more personal meaning. Missy Willis of Let Em Go Barefoot is an unschooling mom to 2 teens, age 19 and 14. She is a past guest, blogger and peaceful parenting advocate. Stacey Piercey in an unschooling mom to 3 boys. She is an entrepreneur and part of the Galileo Xp, an online self directed learning platform. Tira Hunter is mom to an 18 year old unschooled artist. Tira is a regular co-host and moderator in my club on Clubhouse, sharing her knowledge and insights from the years. And of course, there was myself, as the host. My family are unschoolers and although we did not start out as unschoolers, we slowly made our way to this life learning process over the years. My children are both teens, pursuing their interests and choosing the how, what, where and when of their own learning. This panel is diverse and engaging. Unschooling Q&A We spoke to the unexpected gifts that unschooling brought to each of our families and how they found their way into the unschooling world. We also tackled the questions that are regularly asked because they straddle the line of unschooling, choice and parental direction. Screentime ~ Is it about ownership or is it about boundaries? Strewing Unschooling one child- what about offering enough exposure? How to begin the unschooling process from the teen years? What to do when you (as the parent) just can't seem to let go? How can we best support our children's interests when unschooling? What other questions about unschooling do you have? Resources If you enjoyed the episode and the discussion, I recommend you check out each of my personal interviews on this podcast with Sue, Karema, Missy and Stacey. I also recommend that you join me on Clubhouse. We run regular discussion rooms every week. It's an extension of this show and a chance to build better connection, find inspiration and get direct answers to your questions. Look for the club name, Honey! I'm Homeschooling or tap this LINK to join. Would you like to support the podcast? Become a patron~ https://www.patreon.com/honeyimhomeschoolingthekids Enjoy this episode? Share it on social media. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/honeyimhomeschoolingthekids/  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Building Literacy At Home This is episode 113 and I am excited to share this Clubhouse discussion on building literacy at home. In this special episode I invited three moms that share my passion for learning in the natural world. All three of my co-hosts are former school educators and two of the three are now homeschooling parents. Lesley Jones Sessler is a progressive educator, blogger at WatchMonkeyMama and school principal turned unschooler. Elsa E. Jones is a professional development consultant with a specialization in birth to 5 years. She is also an early childhood equity and social justice activist, Chair and Professor of Early Childhood Education. Demetria Giles is a school designer, education consultant and homeschooling mom to her son. Ways We Can Build and Support Literacy At Home Are you homeschooling or unschooling and concerned about your children learning to read? Tired of boring writing curriculum that no one in your family wants to really do? Are you looking for other ideas on how to support reading, writing and literacy in your home? This episode will leave you empowered to support joyful learning in your home with tools and ideas from infancy to the later years. We explore: Learning to read and write- what is literacy? How to offer nonstop exposure Listening, Conversation, Retelling and Artistic Expression- a story doesn't always mean what's in a book Literacy through play and building from infancy Reading isn't just the words on a page- other ways in life that we "read" and communicate Access and Exposure Different kinds and levels of stories Higher Order Thinking Skills Reasons to write Digital Literacy and changes for the future Dive a Little Deeper and Other Resources I offer a free, welcome community for Parents and Educators on the Clubhouse App. Join my Club, Honey! I'm Homeschooling on Clubhouse and be part of our weekly discussions that are held 4 times a week. Download the app or go to my Club link~ Honey! I'm Homeschooling. If you would like to learn more, I recommend you listen to my previous interview with Demetria Giles; From School To Homeschool. You can connect with Demetria via Instagram drosewritings You can connect with Lesley through her blog https://watchmonkeymama.com/category/homeschooling/ or on Instagram. Elsa, Lesley and Demetria can all be found on the Clubhouse app. Would you like to support the podcast? Become a patron~ https://www.patreon.com/honeyimhomeschoolingthekids Enjoy this episode? Share it on social media. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/honeyimhomeschoolingthekids/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Creating A Culturally Rich Home Learning Environment Amber O’Neal Johnston is a writer, speaker, and Worldschooling Charlotte Mason mama who blends living books with life-giving books and a culturally-rich environment for her four children and others seeking to do the same. She recommends we offer children opportunities to see themselves and others reflected in their lessons and especially throughout their books, and she’s known for sharing literary “mirrors and windows” on HeritageMom.com and @heritagemomblog on Instagram. I have followed Amber on social media for a while now and I wanted a chance to know her homeschool story a little more. "Charlotte Mason with an afro" tagline got me pretty quickly. Amber gave me a a chance to ask all of the questions around homeschool life, purpose and creating a culturally rich home learning environment. In This Episode Can you delve into literature, living books and classical history and find examples of people that look you? Do your children find their own likeness reflected back to them in the pages they turn? Not every family can answer yes. But Amber O'Neal Johnston's family is trying to bridging that gap to create an inclusive, culturally rich education. In this episode Amber shared with me the reasons why they first chose to homeschool and why they continue to homeschool. Coming from a family of school administrators, I knew that her choice to homeschool came from deep within the heart, not just the mind. She explained that this was a decision they made for their oldest child. They were uncertain at first if she would fit into the mainstream classroom. After time passed and their family grew, they came to recognize that homeschooling catered to her individual intricacies. But it also highlighted the unique gifts that each of their children brings to them. "It's not what we are going to exclude, it's who we are going to include" Amber and I also explored how their homeschool has become a culturally confirming environment. The importance of raising black kids to love themselves became a central part of their learning life after her daughter told her that "you say that we study important people- and they are all white". She wondered where or if anyone that looks like her has a place in the past, present or future. So along with love and faith, this quickly became a guiding purpose in their learning life. Through the stories they read, the travel they embark on and who they are being in the world, they truly own their own learning. It's "not what we are going to exclude, it's who we are going to include", Amber tells me. I certainly connect with that. If you enjoyed this interview you can find Amber at her blog, HeritageMom.com and on Instagram @heritagemomblog. She offers a wealth of resources to families that are also looking for a more culturally confirming learning environment. I also recommend checking out my episodes with Karema Akilah of The Genius School and Akilah S Richards of Fare of The Free Child. Although Karema and Akilah are Unschoolers, rather than Charlotte Mason homeschoolers, their purpose is similar. Raising black kids to love themselves. And support learners in their diversity and liberation. Would you like to be a bigger part of the podcast? Become a patron~ https://www.patreon.com/honeyimhomeschoolingthekids See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Homeschooling~Getting Started Part 2:Clubhouse Edition Are you just getting started in homeschooling? Or are you a homeschooler that has hit a bump in the road and needs a little more encouragement? This episode is for you then. Our September Theme in the Honey! I'm Homeschooling club on Clubhouse was; Homeschooling- Getting Started. I recorded two of our Clubhouse conversations from that month and this episode is Part 2. We welcomed many new homeschoolers this year and we want to make sure that each family that is in the beginning of their journey (actually at any stage in their journey) gets the support they need. This is one way that we do that. In This Episode In this episode of Homeschooling~Getting Started, Part 2 we discuss: Exploring values and guiding purpose Building our family rhythms What a week looks like in our unschooling family Expectations and fears How different homeschooling families deal with change Our role as parents in homeschool life Ways we can support self directed learning What you can do when your child has learned beyond the level that you can teach them If you haven't listened to Part 1 yet, you can go back and listen HERE. Looking For Community? Honey! I'm Homeschooling Club on Clubhouse Honey! I'm Homeschooling The Kids Club on the Clubhouse app is a way to connect with homeschooling community. Each week we host 4 discussion rooms on homeschooling, unschooling and self directed learning. The club and the discussion groups are free to join. Clubhouse is an audio only app so no need to post pictures, share video or even get out of your pyjamas. Just come as you are. Share stories, ask questions or just be there to listen. You can find our weekly schedule below and a little more inspiration below: Saturdays - 11 am EST / 8 am PST~ Building Learning Foundations Through Connection and RelationshipsRobyn Robertson, Liana Francisco Mondays - 1 pm EST / 10 am PST~Keeping Homeschooling SimpleKelly Edwards, Liana Francisco Tuesdays - 6 pm EST / 3 pm PST~Hot Topic and Special GuestsRobyn Robertson + Special Guest Thursdays- 3pm EST / 12pm PST~Homeschooling in the Elementary Ages and YoungerAllison Towner + Guest If you haven't already, join my email list where I share tips and stories from our unschooling journey. My Patreon community https://www.patreon.com/honeyimhomeschoolingthekids is packed with downloads, Q&A's and live support each month. Resources Here's a list of the wonderful resources (with links) that were shared in this episode: Clubhouse~Honey! I'm Homeschooling Club How To Cake it Monica Cochran- Learning Without Borders Pat Farenga- Honey! I'm Homeschooling The Kids Interview, John Holt GWS Carmen Gamper~ Flow To Learn Book, Flow To Learn Website AERO ~ Alternative Education Resource Organization Jeremy Stuart Documentaries- Self Taught~Life Stories From Self Directed Learners Homeschooling Getting Started Clubhouse Edition~Part 1 Questions? Connect with me through email. Looking to get closer? Ask me about my one-on-one coaching support. [email protected]. Other ways to help support the podcast? Become a patron~ https://www.patreon.com/honeyimhomeschoolingthekids    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Food, Parenting and Unschooling FOOD. What does that word bring up for you? Does it make you think of work, hurt or frustration? Or does it conjure up feelings of joy, positivity and empowerment? It's interesting how our ideas, thoughts and even judgements around food are similar to those we hold around learning. For some of us, food can certainly play a large part in our parenting framework. Deena Barselah joined me on this episode to talk about our expectations and ideas around food. We went deeper and explored how food fits into our parenting and learning life. I loved this conversation. Deena lays out such a powerful connection between food, parenting and unschooling that I had never looked at before. Holistic and Integrative Coach Deena is a Holistic and Integrative Health Coach who guides mothers and families all over the world to remove the chore from food and cultivate a more joyful, connected, easier, and confident relationship with food.  She's supported her own disordered eating, autoimmune conditions, and chronic digestive distress with shifts in diet, habits, and nervous system healing.  Deena believes there's no one-size-fits-all to family food and that by cultivating a system that works well for your unique family, you can let go of the "shoulds" that weigh you down.  She lives in Encinitas, CA with her husband and son and is a homeschooling mama.  Previously, Deena worked in the corporate world in areas of Organizational Psychology and People Development.   In This Episode In this episode Deena's connection between food, parenting and unschooling was fantastic. She had me step re-examine my ideas around food, snacks, mealtime and what I model for my family. She asks are the rules or expectations around food truly ours? Do they apply to who you are or are they prescriptive ideas that we have taken? We also tackled some of those food topics that seem to be regular sore spots for parents: Snacking Dinner time Meal Planning The pressure of the "well rounded meal" Picky Eaters Candy and Treats Halloween Deena leaves us with actionable tips and thoughtful questions that help us reframe unrealistic expectations we may be holding on to around food. Resources If you would like to learn more Deena and her community, you can find her on her website http://deenabarselah.com/ Her workshop is The Joyful Family Meal and you can also find her on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deenabarselah/ If you enjoyed this conversation, I am sure you will like my conversation with Liana Francisco. Liana is a grown unschooler that now unschools her son. She's also a serial entrepreneur and coach who helps other moms make plant-based eating easy with a system.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alternatives to College~Praxis Is University or College the only option? I know University is what we push, or aspire our kids to attend. We try our best to use their childhood to prepare them it. Not to prepare them for adulthood, but for college. I even notice at times that people measure the success of homeschooling or unschooling on...college. Were they able to get in, did they attend and if they did, where did they go? How did they do? There seems to be the perception that "something must be wrong with you if you don't go to school." But really, is there something wrong? Or have there only been limited alternatives and viewpoints up until now? What are the alternatives to College? If you are familiar with my podcast, you will know that I am all about exploring the alternatives. I showcase the unique learning lives that families have created. I want to continue offering these numerous perspectives and this episode is no different. This time I am showcasing a different perspective on post secondary education. It is called Praxis and I am joined by the CEO of Praxis, Cameron Sorsby. Praxis~ Get matched with a full-time, paid apprenticeship without the cost or hassle of college. No degree required Cameron Sorsby is the CEO of Praxis, a year-long apprenticeship program that combines a professional bootcamp and a full-time paid job at a high-growth startup. The program offers a direct route into entrepreneurial careers for driven young people without the cost and hassle of college.Outside of Praxis, Cameron enjoys spending time with his family, golfing, and reading. As a former public and private school student, he's very jealous of all the amazing homeschoolers that join Praxis. In This Episode~Praxis Philosophy In this episode Cameron and I explore the core philosophy of Praxis- that the best way to learn is through experience. We talk about how and why Praxis came to be in 2013 and what it looks like now. We break down the 3 different stages of life and learning at Praxis and why this program is so uniquely different to traditional college and university. It comes down to: The career discovery process and the foundational skills that a person needs, no matter what The job hunt and landing a job- being pro-active and creative Setting yourself up for continuous growth and learning Apprenticeship and mentorship At a fraction of the cost Did you know that close to 40% of Praxis alumni we homeschooled? That is a high number. And it speaks to the core philosophy of the program- that the best way to learn is through experience. It is a philosophy that many homeschoolers connect with. That philosophy and the choice of developing and betting on "self" instead of a traditional education and career path. That happens is the chance to build like and career on your own terms. I know many homeschoolers that wholeheartedly agree. Here are a few cornerstones that Cameron left for us in this interview. He was referring to guiding principles for young people facing the world, but I feel they apply to each one of us. Gain Work Experience Don't equate education with formal school- pursue interests, go down rabbit holes, learn as much as you can Don't be a consumer of content- Be a creator of content Get uncomfortable, get over the perfectionist mindset and develop the ability to do things with intention Resources If you connect with these and would like to learn more about Praxis, I suggest that you go to their website, DiscoverPraxis.com, join their newsletter or follow them on social media @DiscoverPraxis- on Facebook , Instagram and Twitter If you enjoyed this conversation and would like to hear more about homeschooling or unschooling and college, check out my interview with Hannah Frankman, a grown homeschooler that found a career at Praxis. Are you enjoying the podcast? I would love to hear from you. Just head to my contact page and send me a message. If you would like to offer support, join my Patreon community ~ https://www.patreon.com/honeyimhomeschoolingthekids See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  Did you know that only 40% of College Students graduate in 4 years?   60% graduate in 6 years.   60% change majors at least 3 times.   In the US, the average cost of an instate public college is over $27000/year. A private college is $55,000/year.   Extending time in college can be a costly choice. That is why Beth and Greg Langston feel that empowering students to master their self discovery is the best way to prepare them for college and the world beyond. By helping students to discover and define their values, purpose and strengths, they are better able to articulate where they want to go and the path they want to follow. Whether that is college or not.   Beth and Greg Langston joined me on this episode to talk about the college process and the tools needed to succeed not only in post secondary, but throughout life. College Flight Plan Beth graduated from Purdue University in Education. She has helped hundreds of students navigate the college application essays with tremendous success. Greg graduated from the Purdue Krannert School of Business. Having led businesses in excess of $1 billion and worked in 65 countries, Greg has mentored hundreds of young professionals.   Beth and Greg homeschooled their children off and on for numerous years. Their family lived overseas until their children were teens. They decided to relocate back to the US so that their kids could better prepare for College. The goal was to find more opportunities for self discovery, opportunities to clarify their values and define the goals that would prepare them for college or the path they were gifted to do. Unable to find what they were looking for, Beth and Greg decided to found College Flight Plan. Combining their experience and backgrounds, they have developed tools that provide a sense of clarity and confidence for students. The goal of College Flight Plan is to empower students to master their self discovery. In This Episode~College & Self Discovery In this episode we talk about preparing young people for adult life through the process of self discover. We explored the 5 fundamental questions of this process:   What are my core values, and how do I use them? What are my strengths and weaknesses? What is my purpose in life? What are the college majors that best suit me? What are my five-year and one-year goals?   I'd like to know, did you attend College or University and was it the right path for you? Do your children feel it is the right path for them? What has helped them to clarify their life ahead?   If College is a path that your kids are looking towards but the cost is holding you back, check out my episode with Abby Chao~ CollegeBacker and Saving For College. Find out more about College Flight Plan ~ https://collegeflightplan.com/ To receive the free gift The Parents Starter Kit To Teen Self Discovery~ https://collegeflightplan.com/guide/ Reach out to Beth~ [email protected] Reach out to Greg- [email protected] See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Homeschool: Getting Started~Clubhouse Edition If you have been listening to the podcast this last year or following Honey! I'm Homeschooling The Kids on social media you may have heard that we have a wonderful homeschooling "club" on the Clubhouse app. The Club is called Honey! I'm Homeschooling and we host a room every Saturday at 9am mountain time, Monday's at 11am mountain time and Tuesday's at 4pm mountain time. Each "room" or meet up focuses on a topic related to homeschooling, unschooling, family life and progressive education. This episode is the recording of our August 28th room. Liana Francisco and I host the Saturday rooms and this recording is Homeschool: Getting Started. We start with the the steps to getting started on your homeschool journey. Filing the paperwork How to find the information or documentation for the area you live Legalities Goals, Purpose and Values Finding community We share our personal experiences, open up for Q&A and support each other through the process. Please note- there are many that chose to just listen in the room. If you are new to the app and would love to be part of the discussion, you have the choice to just listen or join the conversation. Resources Homeschooling With Purpose Master Class Honey! I'm Homeschooling~ The Club HSDLA Washington Homeschool Association Liana Francisco   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Values and Guiding Purpose For many it's the beginning of the new school year! For others you may be half way through that beginning journey. How has it been so far? In this episode I am focusing on why and how you can build your values and guiding purpose. This is an important foundation whether you are a homeschooler, unschooler or even traditional schooler. It is important part of the homeschooling process because defining our values helps to guide our way.  Living with purpose means to be living in alignment with our values. And when we understand our values and purpose and are living in alignment with those things, it helps us to feel more confident (confidence repels those naysayers) which brings more joy and diminishes overwhelm (because it helps us to make clear decisions). It can even be our reference point to knowing whether what we are doing is successful.  I begin each year with our values and guiding purpose. In learning, family life and living. Developing and getting clear on our family values and guiding purpose is also the first week's theme for my LIVE master class, Homeschooling With Purpose. It sets the stage for each step in the class which is designed to support each homeschooling parent in building a unique natural learning framework for their family. If you want to learn more about this 4 week, small group live master class, go HERE. We begin this conversation and community September 12th If you want to hear more about other important steps in the building your homeschool foundation, check out my episode on Deschooling. I also answer the "big" questions in the episode- https://imhomeschooling.com/the-homeschool-journey-your-questions-answered/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  Welcome to episode 105 with Pilar Bewley of Mainly Montessori. In this episode Pilar took time out to talk about embracing a Montessori mindset in homeschooling. We talked about the Montessori philosophy, how that plays out in the home environment vs the classroom and why she felt homeschooling Montessori supported her family best.   Pilar is a former Montessori child, homeschool mentor, and Montessori advocate.    In addition to a B.Sc. in Hospitality Management and ample entrepreneurial experience, Pilar holds AMI certifications for ages 3-12, a Master’s degree in Montessori education, and Positive Discipline parent and classroom certifications.  Pilar has a decade of classroom experience at Primary and Elementary levels, and has been homeschooling her children for three years.    She created Mainly Montessori to support homeschooling parents, because she believes that Montessori can help parents raise lifelong learners.  Pilar lives with her children and husband in Southern California. What You Will Learn In This Episode~Homeschooling With A Montessori Mindset I loved my conversation with Pilar. We truly connected on our beliefs around child centred, interest led learning and the power of homeschooling in creating a secure family attachment. I also loved our dive into a topic that comes up often for homeschooling parents-Screen-Time. Pilar shared her personal observations, being screen free, the expectations and the impact it has had in their home. We also explored;   Deschooling - what it has meant for Pilar and why it has been an important part of their family transition from school to homeschool Observation, play and preparing the learning environment Homeschooling With A Montessori Mindset- Child Centred Learning and respecting a child as their own force The power of the homeschool environment Screen-time- expectations, limitations and impacts Raising life long learners in each stage of growth and development-in what ways can we best prepare for each stage? Parenting- Positive Discipline, respect and boundaries Freedom and responsibility   This was a conversation from the heart. I believe that our homeschooling community is connected on the foundation of supporting and respecting the individual learner.   In this episode, you'll also get to hear a little more of our family's personal unschooling journey as it plays out for our oldest. He's a teen, off on his personal learning adventure. Pilar and I discuss the transition into adulthood, letting go and allowing our children to follow their own path as they contribute to the broader world. Resources If you would like to connect with Pilar or learn more about her work, this is where you can find her:   Free Private Facebook Group- Second Plane Montessori This space is for homeschoolers, parents, and educators who are guiding children between the ages of 6 and 12 using the Montessori approach.   Mainly Montessori   Instagram~ Mainly.Montessori   Mainly Montessori YouTube Channel   If you are interested in learning more about the Montessori practice, check out my interview with Jeanne Marie Paynel Are you enjoying the podcast? I would love to hear from you. Just head to my contact page and send me a message. If you would like to offer support, join my Patreon community ~ https://www.patreon.com/honeyimhomeschoolingthekidsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Social Emotional Learning with Dr. Lorea Martínez  Dr. Lorea Martínez Pérez is the award-winning founder of HEART in Mind Consulting, a company dedicated to helping schools and organizations integrate Social Emotional Learning in their practices, products, and learning communities. An educator who has worked with children and adults internationally, Dr. Martínez is currently a faculty member at Columbia University Teachers College, educating aspiring principals inEmotional Intelligence. Previously, she was a special education teacher and administrator. A native of the Costa Brava in Spain, she currently lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and two daughters. Dr. Lorea Martínez is also the author of the book, Teaching with the HEART in Mind. In the book, Dr. Lorea Martínez provides a comprehensive roadmap to understanding the psychology of emotions, relationships, and adversity in learning, while equipping you to teach SEL skills and develop your own social and emotional intelligence. In This Episode Dr. Lorea Martínez believes that creating better outcomes for our children means academics and standardized assessments aren’t enough. You need to educate both their hearts and minds. In this episode Martínez offers social emotional learning tools and techniques that we can put into practice in our own homes. These HEART principals and framework help us integrate emotions, build relationships and support a rich learning environment. We explore; Social Emotional Learning and the psychology of emotions- honouring and responding to our emotions Thought patterns and self talk Self Empathy- the importance of connecting with ourselves and showing ourselves compassion How to establishing positive relationships The emotions that are most conducive to learning I loved this interview. Dr. Martínez and I hold similar beliefs that purpose and connection are the key components to building a successful learning environment. I am certain that you will appreciate the practical steps and example that Dr. Martínez provides in this episode so that we not only have an understanding of why Social Emotional Learning is important, but the how in implementing this into our home and relationships. Resources Lorea Martínez websites and social media: http://www.loreaMartinez.com https://www.facebook.com/loreamartinezSEL/ https://twitter.com/loreamart/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/loreamartinez/ Heart In Mind Discussion Guide Dr. Dan Siegel Inside Out The Movie If you enjoyed this interview, you may also like my interview with Roya Dedeaux, a grown unschooler, professor and family therapist. Are you enjoying the podcast? I would love to hear from you. Just head to my contact page and send me a message. If you would like to offer support, join my Patreon community ~ https://www.patreon.com/honeyimhomeschoolingthekids See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finding Joy, Connection and Freedom Within Structure Kelly Edwards is the creator of the 90-Minute School Day.  A lifestyle approach to education.  The 90-Minute School Day method connects children with learning in their natural environment: at home with their family.  It is designed for pre-K through 6th grade.  Kelly is passionate about home education, connecting families through attachment, learning as a lifestyle and helping children (and parents) identify their purpose.  Kelly is entering her 7th year as a homeschool mom, she lives in the Shenandoah Valley of WV with her husband and 3 girls ages 13, 6, and 3.  She is a licensed foster parent, successful entrepreneur, and community citizen.  She uses her personal and professional experience to guide the homeschooling parent with a framework and system to overcome the overwhelm that affects each of us.  You can learn more about her by visiting www.90minuteschoolday.com or follow her on Instagram at @90minuteschoolday. Have you ever met someone that you seem to connect with pretty quickly, despite the circumstances? What about on social media? Kelly and I met on the social app, Clubhouse and even though we live in two different countries we found our paths crossing. We connected on a personal level and have been in touch regularly ever since. (It's pretty cool how our world works now, isn't it?) As a fellow homeschooling parent who's underlying values match many of mine, I wanted to have Kelly on the show. And of course, Kelly brought a huge amount of value, tools and personal experience to this episode. In This Episode-Finding Joy, Connection and Freedom within Structure In this episode Kelly spoke to why they have chosen to homeschool their 3 children. The choice for them was not a change in lifestyle but a need they saw for their children~Greater attachment. Kelly's family homeschool is based on the foundation of emotional attachment and connection, faith and freedom. Kelly says that if we are not feeling the emotional connection, then our learning stops. Kelly has also found a framework and flow to their days that she says as a business owner and homeschool parent, allows her to find joy, connection and freedom within structure. In this episode we spoke to; Connection and resiliency Living education and living life together What homeschooling looks like for child and parent in their home and what that includes- play, empathy, adventuring, working, talking, facilitating The 90 minute structure and finding freedom within structure Being intentional when framing your day The Circadian cycle and how Kelly intentionally creates their days to reflect the cycle, rest and seasons How to set up your child for success Kelly's advice on Deschooling and ways we can access freedom, calm, confidence and connection this summer and beyond Confidence, Calm and Connection- How To Be An Awesome Homeschooler Kelly and I have been working on a new project together this summer. It's the first Homeschooling Summit to be featured on Clubhouse and it's called How To Be An Awesome Homeschooler. The summit runs August 6th and is based on 3 cornerstone themes of homeschooling; Confidence, Calm and Connection. We have a keynote speaker for each theme along with interactive Q&A's with each speaker as well as further discussions with Kelly and I. (That means a space to get your questions answered, air your doubts and connect with others in real time!!) Gina Riley, professor and unschooling parent to a grown unschooler, will be speaking to the theme of Confidence. Demetria Giles, educator, consultant and single homeschool mom will speak to Calm and Rachel Rainbolt, gentle parenting, natural homeschooling, and simple living mentor will speak to Connection. The summit is open to anyone that would like to join on Clubhouse. But to receive the recordings, freebies and special giveaways, you have to register for the free summit. To register go here. Resources Connect with Kelly on her website www.90minuteschoolday.com or Instagram @90minuteschoolday Register for the Summit, How To Be An Awesome Homeschooler Listen to my interviews with the Summit Keynotes on this podcast; Dr. Gina Riley, Demetria Giles and Rachel Rainbolt See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Homeschooling and Mindfulness   Isabelle Robledo is a 17-year-old kids mindfulness coach and co founder of Making Mindfulness Fun. She is helping kids and teens to be confident and creative using mindfulness. She's been living in an RV for the past six years while traveling the world with her family of seven. She learned mindfulness from a very young age, and believes that now, more than ever, it is important to share what she’s learned with our future generation. You can find her on Instagram @keepitmindful.kids, or see her website, makingmindfulnessfun.com I love speaking with young people that homeschool or have grown up homeschooled. Their perspective on life is often different from the norm. It gives great insight to the common questions that we received about kids that homeschool. How do homeschoolers "turn out" in life? Will they learn what they need to be successful? Are homeschoolers socially awkward? Does it make you socially awkward to live a life pursuing your dreams from a young age? Or to travel in an RV full-time with your family? What if homeschooling provides you with the space to become an entrepreneur with vision from the age of 16? In This Episode I recently had the chance to interview a homeschooler with vision, Isabelle Robledo. Isabelle has always been homeschooled. When Isabelle was 10, her family decided to realign their life to one that held greater purpose. They wanted to live with more fulfillment and adventure. With dedication to intention. So they took their life on the road. Literally. They sold what they didn't need, bought an RV and began roadschooling and worldschooling. In this episode Isabelle and I talk about their life of adventure, what it means to their family and what it looked like for them over the last 6 years. Isabelle shares with me how she dealt with the transition and the perspective shift she had. We also talk about what has been the main guiding foundation for Isabelle~mindfulness. Mindfulness was the main thing I learned through my travels Living a different lifestyle from many of her peers, Isabelle did have times when she felt a bit on the outer edge. But it was mindfulness that helped her understand herself. It gave her the tools to realize what she was looking for when she struggled, it helped her to learn who she is and what she has to offer the world. Not only that, mindfulness has been a family journey and a way for her entire family to stay connected and continue living with intention. Making Mindfulness Fun Isabelle has taken her mindfulness practice further through entrepreneurship and service to the larger community. During the pandemic, she saw how much the world, especially young people were struggling and disconnected. Encouraged by her mom, Isabelle created a mindfulness course for kids. She wants to support young people in incorporating mindfulness into their lives in a playful way. As a young person that values play and creativity, she actively engages the young people she works with to do the same. Through dance parties, creative practices and fun she brings her playful attitude to the practice of mindfulness. I think that is exactly what we all need a little more of right now, don't you? Resources If you would like to connect with this Isabelle, find out more about what she does or get your children involved with her work, you can find her through her website, makingmindfulnessfun.com or on Instagram @keepitmindful.kids You can also find her on her youtube channel Making Mindfulness Fun Enneagram https://www.psychologyjunkie.com/enneagram/ Book- The Road Back To You Isabelle's course and products https://www.makingmindfulnessfun.com/shop/ Closer Connections Masterclass https://teachingkidsmindfulness.com/closer-connections-masterclass If you enjoyed hearing from a homeschooler, you will also enjoy these episodes with grown homeschoolers~ Growing Up Homeschooled with Hannah Frankman, Play, Purpose & Unschooling with Roya Dedeaux, Why Self-Directed Learning Is Important with Madison Kanna If you would like to join our weekly Clubhouse conversations, you can join through here. Other ways to help support the podcast? Become a patron~ https://www.patreon.com/honeyimhomeschoolingthekids At times I will recommend a product or resource that has added value to myself or our family. Or, I will ask a guest for their recommendation. Sometimes the links I give may contain an affiliate link and when you click to make a purchase from there, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Event Registration The Conscious Homeschooling/Unschooling Summit See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From School To Homeschool Demetria Giles has over 15 years of experience in education and is passionate about culturally responsive pedagogy, critical thinking development, and project-based learning. She is the former Director of Curriculum & Instruction at 9th Bridge School, a private early childhood and elementary school located in Downtown Las Vegas, Nevada. She is also an education consultant and the homeschool mom of a 9-year-old son. Demetria and I connected on the Clubhouse app and I immediately enjoyed being part of homeschooling conversations with her. She brings abundant knowledge from her years in education but her experience as a mom that has chosen to homeschool her son while working in the school system adds depth to that knowledge. Demetria and I hold very similar beliefs around learning and school and we are both passionate about supporting families on their unique learning journeys. What You'll Hear In This Episode~From School to Homeschool I enjoyed this conversation with Demetria and I am looking forward to having more. If you are curious about how you can create and support a life long learning environment for your child, I recommend you take a listen. Here's what we discussed; The reasons why Demetria chose to homeschool her son while she continued to work in a brick and mortar school The foundation of a great teacher and why it is not a teacher certification What supporting life long learning looks like in her family Her unique approaches to homeschooling while working full time Leading with interests and how to do that when your child's interests are not your own How to cultivate big picture thinking The importance of free time and play Re-framing our ideas of what learning is or should look like The depth of video games The freedom that homeschooling offers Opting out of standardized testing and how kids can still be successful at testing when they are "required" to test Overcoming her own obstacles in homeschooling From school to homeschool-what she recommends to parents that are just getting started Demetria and I close out the episode with her thoughts on what she would like to the future of education and homeschooling to look like. I love that not only is she thinking about it, but she is already doing her part to help make that future happen through her consulting and support. If you are a reader that enjoys good books, Demetria also left us with a few reading recommendations. Find those below in the resources. Resources Here are a few ways that you can find out more and connect with Demetria: Instagram~ drosewritings SchoolED Clubhouse As mentioned in episode~ Outschool Demetria's book mentions Homeschool and parenting~ Parenting From The Inside Out by Dr. Dan Siegel Learning and Critical Thinking~Think Again by Adam Grant If you enjoy hearing from educators that begin homeschooling, you may enjoy my episode with Golda David who, like Demgtrira, is an educator and former administrator turned unschooling mom. If you would like to join our weekly Clubhouse conversations, you can join through here. Other ways to help support the podcast? Become a patron~ https://www.patreon.com/honeyimhomeschoolingthekids At times I will recommend a product or resource that has added value to myself or our family. Or, I will ask a guest for their recommendation. Sometimes the links I give may contain an affiliate link and when you click to make a purchase from there, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

That's right! This is Honey! I'm Homeschooling The Kids 100th episode. For the special milestone episode we decided to do an Ask Me Anything where my daughter did the asking and I did the answering. Listeners sent in questions through social media that we answered on the show. What did they ask? What Are Your Homeschool Fears? How Do You Unschool High School? Have You Learned To Respect Your Kids and Listen To Their Boundaries? What Have Your Kids Taught You About The Best Way To Raise Them? Have You Made Any Big Mistakes That You Wish You Let Others Know About and Maybe Learn From? Favourite Family Activity Unschooling 3 Year Olds How Do You Have The Confidence To Unschool In So Many School Focused Messages Of Our Culture? How Do You See The End Of Homeschooling Your Own Kids? If You Could Have Started Your Homeschooling Journey Differently, What Would You Have Done Differently and Why? What Do Your Children Think Is The Coolest/Best Thing About Being Unschooled? What's It Like Raising Teens In The Iphone Age? There were so many wonderful, deep questions. They had me really stop to reflect and think. At some points it would start a new discussion with my daughter that would take us in other directions. No, we didn't include those segments in the episode since there were a few private details that we want to keep close. But the answers to the questions were real and vulnerable. Enjoy the 100th Episode Celebration! If you have any more questions that are burning for an answer, you can contact me HERE. If you would like to hear my personal episodes, answering questions or telling stories about our experiences, check out my episode on Deschooling or The Homeschool Journey~Your Questions Answered I hope you like this old picture~ I thought a picture from the beginning of our journey is a fitting one for now ;) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sue Patterson is a homeschooling coach and founder of Unschooling Mom2Mom. She helps parents find creative ways to approach learning and reconnect with their children, when their current educational option isn’t working.  Sue has been active in the homeschooling community for twenty-five years and is happy to share practical suggestions of how to make unschooling work. Her own three unschooled children are now all young adults with successful careers, degrees and families. Sue offers a variety of coaching packages, printable guides, ebooks and courses at www.SuePatterson.com. Her book, Homeschooled Teens : 75 Young People Speak about their Lives without School is available at Amazon.If you’re looking for more information about unschooling, her website is a curated site with unschooling writers from around the world. www.UnschoolingMom2Mom.com When I have had questions about unschooling, Sue Patterson is someone that I have turned to. She is an unschooling veteran that understands the doubts, the fears, the worries and most importantly, the joy that unschooling to adulthood brings. In This Episode In this episode interview I wanted Sue to share a little more about her family's journey into unschooling, including how they got there and why they chose to continue. Sue not only shares their story but she also shares the points in the journey that are important for any of us to hear. Her lack of confidence when they first started and what tested her beliefs Unschooling and learning to read Knowing what she knows now, what things she would change The deschooling process How her children learned Finding Resources Prioritizing connection and communication Unschooling to adulthood Resources You can find Sue's numerous resources for unschooling on her website, www.SuePatterson.com. For more information about unschooling, go to www.UnschoolingMom2Mom.com Sue now offers a podcast as well. Unschooling Mom2Mom podcast  Her book: Homeschooled Teens : 75 Young People Speak about their Lives without School  The Unschooling Handbook~ Mary Griffith If you enjoyed this episode from an Unschooling parent of grown Unschoolers, check out my interview with Pam Laricchia. Pam unschooled her children through to adulthood. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  If we value raising independent thinkers and self directed learners, wouldn't we also want to support financial independence? For those of us that choose this home educating path, we often choose to "opt-out" of not just school. Often our choice to leave the education system causes us to start re-thinking other mainstream ideas as well.   One of these mainstream assumptions is our idea and values around money.   What are your thoughts and feelings around money? How money is used? What is it's purpose and does it align with your family purpose? What does it take to be financially literate? How can we build a financially literate family?   In this episode I am joined by Matt Matheson of the Family Money School to talk about money and financial literacy. Matt Matheson and Family Money School In addition to being the husband of an amazing wife and dad to three awesome munchkins, Matt Matheson is a teacher and school administrator with 15 years of classroom experience. He's also a personal finance writer and blogger who’s been featured in publications like the Huffington Post, Yahoo News, and Reader's Digest. His passion is teaching, specifically helping kids learn how to handle money wisely. Since he had his own kids, he’s been working hard to pass on his money values to them. It’s his love of teaching and desire to equip parents in raising money rock stars that lead him to develop Family Money School, a site designed to help parents raise money-savvy kids.    Matt did not always consider himself to be financially literate. He grew up with certain beliefs around money that did not always serve him well. It wasn't until he and his wife came to a crossroads on their financial future that he decided to truly understand his relationship with money In this Episode In this episode Matt and I talk about why he feels that financial literacy and raising money-savvy kids are essential. We explore ;   Money myths Debt- is it really a necessary fact of life? Why you don't need to be an expert to teach something The 5 Pillars of building financial independence The "Bacon" principle   Matt also understands that financial literacy is not something that a large amount of parents actively understand. But even without understanding it for themselves, they want their children to understand it better. He says that parents do not have to be money experts to talk to their kids about money.   I know many parents that often feel overwhelmed with finances and do not want their children to repeat the same pattern. They often feel they need to know everything before beginning to teach their kids about money. That or they just have no idea where to start.    If you are a parent that is feeling this way, Matt has offered to support our listeners in two ways.   A free PDF that you can download through this link~ https://www.familymoneyschool.com/honey-im-homeschooling-freebie   2. A webinar for my listeners that goes further into depth on the 5 Pillars of Money and how to teach these foundational money principles. This way any parent can have clarity in raising children who thrive with money! If you are interested in the webinar, you can join through this link~ https://www.familymoneyschool.com/honey-im-homeschooling-webinar Resources If you would like to reach out to Matt or The Family Money School check out these links;   Website: https://www.familymoneyschool.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/familymoneyschool   Twitter: https://twitter.com/FamMoneySchool   Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ca/FamMoneySchool/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/familymoneyschool/   Dave Ramsey   Francis Bacon   If you enjoyed this episode, you may also want to listen to my episode with John Lanza~How To Raise Money Smart Kids Other ways to help support the podcast? Become a patron~ https://www.patreon.com/honeyimhomeschoolingthekids  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  Growing Up Unschooled Unschooling- "The freedom for anyone, young and old to choose why, what, when, how and from whom to learn things." It is learner directed, learner centred. Unschooling may sound like a nice idea, but are you wondering if it is realistic in practice? Can a young child or teen learn that way? Don't they need the structure of school to get a job or go to University? What is it like growing up unschooled? Liana Francisco~ Growing Up Unschooled My guest on this episode, Liana Francisco, grew up unschooled. Liana, now an unschooling mom herself, is a serial entrepreneur and coach who helps other moms make plant-based eating easy with a system.  Continuing the unschooling trend, Liana’s path has been unconventional. Liana earned a BA in classical singing and a Master of Public Administration. She spent 12+ years as a government consultant and management executive.  After becoming deeply ill with Lyme Disease, Liana changed her life trajectory and started on a path to help others live intentionally. She had an amazing journey as a vegan deli owner and now runs a wholesale vegan food business, coaches moms to make plant-based eating easy, and just launched a YouTube channel to share how she hacks homemaking for more freedom AND an organized family. Liana lives in Olympia, WA with her husband and teenage sweetheart, Jonathan, and their four year old son.  In This Episode In this episode Liana and I discuss what it was like growing up unschooled. We talk about why her family chose the path, why it looked different for each child in the family and the transition into adulthood. And we cover a lot of those questions that many have about unschoolers:   What about math? Learning Time management Going to University? Finding a career What would she do differently now that she's an unschooling mom herself? Liana shares with such genuine, gentle insight. Her perspective is invaluable to any parent, new or old to unschooling and homeschool.  Resources Want to learn more about Liana and what she does? Here's where you can find her; YouTube Website~ https://www.lianafrancisco.com/ Liana and I host a room on the Clubhouse app every Saturday morning at 8am Mountain Time in my club, Honey! I'm Homeschooling. We have discussions on unschooling, homeschooling, living and learning all from the foundation of connection and relationships. Join us here If you would like to learn more about unschooling, you'll enjoy my episode with Pam Laricchia and Gina Riley Other ways to help support the podcast? Become a patron~ https://www.patreon.com/honeyimhomeschoolingthekids  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  Recently I have been hearing more stories about people in the Bitcoin network becoming interested in unschooling. Or possibly the stories are of unschoolers becoming interested in Bitcoin.....   In either case, why the interest? What do Unschooling and Bitcoin have in common? Unschooling and Bitcoin As my family has been learning and diving into the world of Bitcoin over the last few years, I see the link between many of the values that both the Unschooling world and the Bitcoin world hold.   I think the common threads in both worlds are; decentralization, autonomy and freedom.   As one recent article phrased it, "Bitcoin provides power to the users and unschooling provides power to the students." I couldn't agree more and that is why I felt it was a good time to share this connection on the podcast. Daniel Prince~Unschooling Dad, Digital Nomad and Bitcoin Daniel Prince is an unschooling dad to 4, an author and podcaster. His book, Choose Life: The Tools, Tricks and Hacks of Long Term Family Travellers, Worldschoolers and Digital Nomads is a recommended read if you are a parent looking to leave the rat race and worldschool. His podcast, Once BITten! shares real life stories of how Bitcoin has changed and shaped individuals and families lives forever.   In this episode Daniel Prince joins me to talk about his personal experience in the world of Unschooling and Bitcoin and why both have become a road to freedom for himself and for his family. What we explored in this episode "The job I was in was sucking the life and soul out of me"~ Daniel's story of leaving the rat race and 'Choosing Life' for himself and his family Unschooling and the mind shift we need to embrace it The separation of education from state How they have found ways to support each of their children's learning choices Doing what society expects of you and not questioning - and what that gets you Why community is key What is school? How the top down structure of the education system reflects the top down structure of the monetary system A little history on the Gold Standard, the change to the US Dollar in the 40's and how that has shaped the federal reserve, inflation and our world economy Bitcoin- inventing a medium of exchange that can be tracked and fixed The social (and economic) implications of Bitcoin The question to ask- What is money?   Why unschooling and bitcoin? For me, the unschooling journey hasn't just been about questioning the education system and my previous beliefs on learning and school. It has caused me to look at the other institutions within our society and framework. It's about disruption. Freedom. Autonomy.   Disruptor [noun] – a person or thing that prevents something, especially a system, process, or event, from continuing as usual or as expected https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/disruptor Resources Want to get in contact with Daniel or learn more?   Twitter- @princey1976   Princes Off The Grid   Podcast- Once BITten   Tim Ferris- The 4 Hour Work Week   Do Schools Kill Creativity? Sir Ken Robinson   Khan Academy   Squeebles- Math   Galileo XP- Online Self Directed Global School   John Taylor Gatto   John Holt   Bitcoin Resources~   WTF Happened In 1971   Why Buy Bitcoin- Andy Edstrom   The Bitcoin Standard~Saifedean Ammous   Bitcoin Money- Bitcoin Rabbi (Kids Book)   Other ways to help support the podcast? Become a patron~ https://www.patreon.com/honeyimhomeschoolingthekids   Disclosure: When I recommend a product that I believe will add value, it may contain an affiliate link, and when you click the link and decide to make a purchase through that link, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. If you do, Thank you for your support.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  Karla Marie Williams is a speaker, writer, global child advocate and unschooling mom to 6 kids. Yes, that's right, 6 kids, who are almost all at or in their teen years. Karla Marie is also the President of Be Bold Publishing. I welcomed her on the show to celebrate the release of her new book, Teens Unleashed. Teens Unleashed offers real life, hands on experience and practical tips to help you support your unschooling teens. In this Episode In this episode Karla Marie and I not only discuss her wonderful new book, but we also talk about their journey into unschooling, the transition process from the early years to the teen/young adult years and we break down the big theme of TRUST. That's right, the big T word that is the foundation of this exciting learning journey. Karla Marie shares why Trust is foundational, what has helped her to trust the process and the tools that implements for support. There is so much value in this episode for parents! If you are working through the deschooling process, if you are looking to start trusting yourself, your child and the learning process more, this episode is for you. That is whether you are the parent of a teen or not. For those that are unschooling teens or are considering unschooling your teen, here are a few other specifics that we covered;   Grieving the early years (when they have grown past the early years and how the learning days shift and change) The gift of seeing who they are Strewing Focused Learning Exposure Ignites Fires (Why our job as parents to unschooled teens becomes 'exposure' for their purpose, passion and direction) What they need and where they are going What are colleges looking for? Learning is in the doing The illusion of mastery Not allowing fear to get in the way I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Did it inspire you? Would you like further discussion on any specific themes we brought up? You can message me on my Contact Page or DM me via Instagram of FB. Resources Website https://www.karlamariewilliams.com/ Book- Teens Unleashed Karla and The Sensational Six If you would like to hear a little more about Karla Marie's story of how they came to unschooling, check out my first interview with her here. Ways To Support The Show Patreon: Your support helps make the show production possible. https://www.patreon.com/honeyimhomeschoolingthekids Leave a Review: Leave a review on itunes. Go To Honey! I'm Homeschooling The Kids on the Apple Podcasts. Click on Ratings and Reviews on the top heading to the right of my podcast logo. Click on the starts to rate and then click on the REVIEW button to write a review. At times I will recommend a product or resource that has added value to myself or our family. At times the links I give may contain an affiliate link and when you click to make a purchase from there, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Register for our Monthly Q and A- This April the topic focus is Achieving Literacy. Go to this link.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Disruptor [noun] - a person or thing that prevents something, especially a system, process, or event, from continuing as usual or as expected https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/disruptor Yes, this month we are talking about disruption. I think it is a fitting theme for this past year, don't you? There is a lot of disruption happening all around us and it is not necessarily bad. Change comes from disruption and change can be good. I have often wondered when we talk about change in the education system where we need disruption to be. From the inside or out? In this episode I sat down with education disruptor, Heather MacTaggart to talk about how she sees disruption happening within the system. She says, "If now isn’t the time to redesign an education model built for the industrial age, when will it be?" Unschooling School Heather’s obsession is helping to create an education system that actually makes sense for kids, all kids!She is a social entrepreneur, an educator, and a problem solver. She founded Classroom Connections in 1997 because she was worried about the education system and the kids in it. Since then, Classroom Connections has evolved from a grass-roots resource hub for schools to an award-winning producer of innovative education/training materials that are in use across Canada and around the world. Heather is a firm believer in self directed learning and trust. Currently Heather is working on Unschooling School. The premise is this- Not all kids can attend these enlightened (alternative) schools. We already pay for public education. Not all parents are able to unschool at home. So what if we made space for change within schools by choosing not to comply with the age-segregated, curriculum-driven, testing, grading, and homework-laden structures? What if we insisted that our children be allowed to choose what they want to do at school? What if we let them know that there are lots of different avenues to gain acceptance into College or University or start careers?  What if we revealed to them that marks on a transcript are only one of many options? In This Episode In this episode Heather joins me to talk about these possibilities, what Unschooling school means and why she is disrupting education. We explore; The importance of learning things we are interested in Allowing kids to be in charge of their learning Brave parents are disruptors What would it look like to unschool school? The two factors that are paramount in both parents and kids to Unschool school What would society look like if we had consent in our learning and education? The Free Learner program and support for families that are interested in Unschooling School Resources Unschooling School Facebook Classroom Connections Change It Up Peter Gray Sudbury Valley School FHREE.org If you would like to listen to episodes featuring people and places mentioned in this episode, check out my interview with Peter Gray and my interview with Daniel Greenberg of Sudbury Valley School. Other ways to help support the podcast? Become a patron~ https://www.patreon.com/honeyimhomeschoolingthekidsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Math Codes Kohila Sivas is a parent, teacher, Math Interventionist, and a Holistic Success Coach for students and parents. Over the past 22 years, Kohila has developed a simple proven system called MathCodes and she uses this system to help students rapidly transform their math performance as well as shift their mindset, grow their confidence, and outperform their expectations in all areas of their life.  Kohila also works with parents on how to best support their child as a 'Student.'  When parents are confident that their child has the tools they need to succeed, they have peace of mind about their child's future. No child should feel defeated or left behind in their education or life. Every child has the potential to excel in all areas of their studies and life. It is her mission to help children reach their full potential by showing them how to happily and successfully excel in math and in their performance.  Kohila says that if given the 'RIGHT' environment, ALL students CAN excel! I asked Kohila to be a part of the show because not only have we been talking a lot about math in home learning this year, but we have also been talking about the fear and anxiety that comes up around the subject. The concern is that if a parent struggled in math at school, then how can they support their child to learn math at home? She Struggled Kohila says that she herself struggled in school. But around the age of 13, she started to learn how to hack math, or began "cracking the code". This became a turning point for her. She says math became a therapy for her. As she learned hacks and solved problems her mindset began to shift. She gained confidence and began to feel more in control in other areas of her life as well. This sense of empowerment led Kohila to become an educator and coach. She knew how it felt to go from dis-empowered to empowered and she wants other young people to experience the same. Kohila shared how important it is for parents to be a part of the empowerment process, not only in math, but in life learning. Don't get confused though. This is not about pushing our kids to cram, struggle and win and at all costs. In This Episode In this episode Kohila shares the questions that parents can ask so that they can be a better learning support for their kids. We also talk about the reasons why many parents and children continue to experience math anxiety and the ways we can start to shift our mindset. Math anxiety and the generation of speed and math drills The power of language Being a part of the learning process Setting your own benchmarks-letting go of comparison Don't think math has to be done with a workbook Math is all around you- where we can find it in our daily lives Building math environments for young children Math environments for older children How she supports learners through Math Codes What I love about this episode is that Kohila gives us many practical examples of how we can support math learning at home with our kids and tools we can use in our daily life. I also appreciate that Kohila was able to give her perspective on math learning in school as opposed to math in unschooling and home education and why they differ. I know that if you are a homeschooler or unschooler, you will find value in what Kohila shares. Resources If you would like to find out more about the support Kohila provides, check out https://www.mathcodes.com/ Want to learn more about building a love of math? Check out this episode with my mother-in-law, a former homeschool parent and math educator http://imhomeschooling.com/learning-math/ Or if you would like to hear about unschooling math, listen to my interview with Dr. Gina Riley http://imhomeschooling.com/unschooling-with-dr-gina-riley/ Other ways to help support the podcast? Become a patron~ https://www.patreon.com/honeyimhomeschoolingthekids   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This special episode is part 2 of my interview with Yolonda Coles Jones. Yolonda and I wanted to provide additional support and comfort to those families that are feeling caught up in the waves of the moment. This episode is all about using the tools of connection and presence to bring about calm and well-being. We want families to once again start feeling empowered in their own lives. That means being empowered as a parent, person and learning support.   Yolonda Coles Jones, also known as “The Bringer of Calm” and the “Teacher of Thrive”, is a Healing, Wellness & Empowerment-Centered Coach and Education Consultant who specializes in coming alongside households–families and individuals–as well as teachers and school systems to support them in deepening into conscious connection with themselves and with those around them. From that place she guides and supports in building confidence, developing clarity, realizing calm and implementing strategies for success. Her trademarked Empowered People formula utilizes a powerfully effective combination of mindful breathing & meditation, conscious communication, somatic (body) awareness, boundary awareness, forgiveness, gratitude, joy and deep self-care all as authentic-to-you and accessible ongoing practices. The scope of her work covers parenting relationships, parent-child/teacher-child dynamics, self-awareness, marriage and long-term partnerships, infidelity, home-based education and self-actualization. What You Will Hear In This Episode In this episode we are talking about wellness, connection and community. These are important because they stand as the basis for our learning life. We are 4 dimensional beings; spiritual (not in a religious sense, but in our being-ness), mental, physical and emotional. All of these dimensions come into play in our learning life and overall wellness. We explore the many ways that we can build this into our present lives and then re-imagine the life we have ahead of us. How do we want to live it? How do we want to co-create our time together? Our exploration includes; Community on the micro and macro level. This means starting with ourselves and then move the circle outwards? The language of touch. Especially in this year of physical isolation The power of pause, using our breath, reflection and re-imagining Mindfulness at home Giving thanks and appreciation Grief- touching into the moment, vocalizing it and giving space to say it Marking our space (and therefore our wellness) Taking the time to check-in Having courage and being curious We end this episode with an offer of peace, calm and reflection through a guided meditation. Resources If you missed part 1 of this interview, you can find it here. If you would like to connect with Yolonda and learn more about the work she does supporting families you can find her at: https://www.yolondajonescreative.com/ Yolonda Coles Jones Instagram Empowered Families Life As We Design It– Yolonda’s Book If you enjoyed this episode, you may want to check out my interview with Amanda Curmi, an unschooling mom in Australia that is also a Yoga therapist and Ayurvedic Post- Partum doula. She is passionate about creating community for women and mothers and believes the way we parent can create deep emotional and social change.  Other ways to help support the podcast? Become a patron~ https://www.patreon.com/honeyimhomeschoolingthekidsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yolonda Coles Jones, also known as "The Bringer of Calm" and the "Teacher of Thrive", is a Healing, Wellness & Empowerment-Centered Coach and Education Consultant who specializes in coming alongside households--families and individuals--as well as teachers and school systems to support them in deepening into conscious connection with themselves and with those around them. From that place she guides and supports in building confidence, developing clarity, realizing calm and implementing strategies for success. Her trademarked Empowered People formula utilizes a powerfully effective combination of mindful breathing & meditation, conscious communication, somatic (body) awareness, boundary awareness, forgiveness, gratitude, joy and deep self-care all as authentic-to-you and accessible ongoing practices. The scope of her work covers parenting relationships, parent-child/teacher-child dynamics, self-awareness, marriage and long-term partnerships, infidelity, home-based education and self-actualization. Yolonda's Journey Into Life and Learning Yolonda has always been a helper and learner. Supporting people has been her constant path. Yolonda's 4 children have never attended school as of yet. Self directed education is a mainstay for their family. Their goal is to give their kids space to explore and be who they are. Empowering Families- In This Episode In this episode Yolonda shares her journey into being who she is. We also examine what their family life looks like as self-directed learners. Our exploration goes into; Life skills and what that looks like for each child Learning together Having a teenager- Yolonda reminds us to ask the important question as parents- "How much of this is about me and how much of this is about her"? Living into her children's interests Bearing witness to emotions and how to be present with sensitive and highly feeling individuals What Yolonda thought homeschool had to look like Learning how children learn Letting life became the lessons. Changing the ways we see how children learn The partnership of motherhood Support of community and deep self care This is one of my favourite quotes from Yolonda- "Home is the base for education and education happens everywhere. If the script is not working, you can through it out...We can take what relates, what's relevant, what gets us to our goals, what lights this child up, what lights us all up together and we can also learn in our living." This interview with Yolonda is extremely empowering for the parent that may be facing doubts or challenges and for veteran homeschooling parents that just need a few reminders to pause, get back to our why and surrender into re-imagining. Resources If you would like to connect with Yolonda and learn more about the work she does supporting families you can find her: https://www.yolondajonescreative.com/ Yolonda Coles Jones Instagram Empowered Families Life As We Design It- Yolonda's Book Yolonda mentioned Outschool as a platform that her children use. Find out more about Outschool here. I first learned of Yolonda through Fare of The Free Child Podcast. I also had the opportunity to interview Akilah S Richards, creator and host of Fare Of The Free Child http://imhomeschooling.com/educational-freedom-akilah-richards Other ways to help support the podcast? Become a patron~ https://www.patreon.com/honeyimhomeschoolingthekids See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gina Riley, Ph.D. is an educational psychologist, Clinical Professor, and Program Leader of the Adolescent Special Education Program at CUNY – Hunter College. Dr. Riley has over fifteen years experience working with teens diagnosed with learning disabilities and emotional/behavioural disorders. She is also a seasoned academic, with years of teaching, research, and supervisory experience within the fields of special education, psychology, school psychology, and mental health counseling. In addition, Dr. Riley has extensive experience in online education and distance learning at the college/university level. She is known internationally for her work in the fields of homeschooling, unschooling, and self-directed learning. Her book Unschooling: Exploring Learning Beyond the Classroom, was published by Palgrave Macmillan in July 2020. Dr. Riley has one son, who she unschooled. I was first introduced to the work of Dr. Gina Riley quite a few years ago through a study that both she and Dr. Peter Gray did on the challenges and benefits of unschooling. Little did I realize at the time that Dr. Riley was an unschooling parent herself. An unschooling parent, researching unschooling and alternative learning, that also worked in secondary education as a teacher to teachers. (You can see why I was excited that she accepted an invitation to the show.) I knew that the information Gina has to share as a researcher, professor and parent is more important than ever. Unschooling: Exploring Learning Beyond The Classroom In this episode Dr. Riley begins with sharing her own personal experience as a parent choosing to unschool over 20 years ago. We talk about why she made the decision, the fears she had to overcome and how that decision actually prepared her well for the world we find ourselves in today. In the academic arena, there is not a lot of work on unschooling. I think this is also why some have a hard time believing that unschooling is a valid way to learn and live life. Everyone always wants to reference the research and if there is not a lot of research to be found, people begin to doubt. This is one reason why Dr. Riley's new book, Unschooling: Exploring Learning Beyond the Classroom, is important. It is the first academic book published on Unschooling and self directed learning. Gina says that she wrote this book for "the 24 year old Gina (the single mom choosing this unfamiliar path) so that she could give it to her mom, who is also an educator, and say -here's the research." "The Kids Are Going To Be Fine" I also took the chance to ask Dr. Riley a few questions that I often hear from parents interested in unschooling but that are uncertain because it looks so different from school. How will they learn without school or if I don't teach them? How will they learn math or to read? What opportunities will be open to unschoolers when they become adults? Dr. Riley answered all of these but it was one statement that said it all for me. "It's not so much how do we do this, it's more, let's trust ourselves in doing this." She said, "The kids are going to be fine. Unschoolers know how to learn." We ended the episode talking about a question that for many are wondering because of the shift in our current world, whether they are in traditional education or not. That is, What is the future of education? I hope that you get a chance to tune in to the episode to hear what Dr. Riley has to say. Resources Unschooling: Exploring Learning Beyond the Classroom published by Palgrave Macmillan The Journal of Unschooling and Alternative Education (published paper by Dr. Gina Riley and Dr. Peter Gray) Alliance For Self Directed Education Learning By Living Podcast- Gina Riley and Kevin Currie-Knight High Tech High Self Determination Theory- Richard M. Ryan and Edward L. Deci Rethinking Learning To Read: The Challenge From Children Educated At Home: Harriet D. A. Pattison If you enjoyed this episode, you'll also want to listen to my interview with Dr. Peter Gray http://imhomeschooling.com/free-to-learn-peter-gray/ Other ways to help support the podcast? Become a patron~ https://www.patreon.com/honeyimhomeschoolingthekids  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Monica Robertson is a retired teacher, math educator, grandmother and former homeschool parent. She is also my mother-in-law! I asked Monica to come on the show as a special guest to talk about her experience homeschooling, learning math and the power of looking at the world through a math lens. Math always seems to be a topic that seems to give quite a few parents feelings of angst. I often hear questions like; I am not good at math, so how will I be able to teach it to my kids if I homeschool? How do unschoolers learn math? Can kids learn math without the drills, worksheets and curriculum? Can math actually be interesting? I also see many parents that love the idea of self directed education until it comes to learning math. Somewhere we learn this idea that math is the subject that must be drilled, memorized and come with a little bit of torture, unless you happen to be a math genius. If you have beliefs similar to this, have you ever reflected on why you think that is true? Is it valid? In This Episode In this episode my mother-in-law and I talk about her experience homeschooling my husband and her views on learning. We also dive deeper into the idea of looking at the world through a math lens and why this practice is the key. We explore; Deschooling and why it's an important part of homeschooling How can we learn to look at the world through a math lens when we are uncertain in our own understanding of math The difference between a good mathematician and memorizing math facts Measuring, Spatial Awareness, Subitizing and LEGO's Encouraging Risk Taking (and what this has to do with learning math) Persistence How do we introduce math in a joy driven way? Worksheets, drills and speed- is it really a true measure of a strong mathematician? Creating math anxiety Seeing math and mathematical concepts in the tools, toys and play we may already have in our homes I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. How do you feel about stepping away from the worksheets and drills and encouraging a math conversation? What ways are you starting to see the world through a math lens? Or do you disagree? If you would like to explore more, here are the additional resources that we mentioned on the episode. Resources If you would like to contact Monica you can reach her via email~ [email protected] John Holt- https://www.johnholtgws.com/homeschooling-unschooling-resources How Children Learn (John Holt) Learning All The Time (John Holt) Teach Your Own John Holt Book of Homeschooling Jo Boaler- her math website can be found here- https://www.youcubed.org/ James Tanton- Math Educator James Tanton- Exploding Dots Peter Liledahl- Simon Fraser University Math Educator (resources page) Alicia Burdess- Math resources Teaching Through Problems Worth Solving - Alicia Stone Burdess Teaching Through Problems Worth Solving Version 3- Alicia Stone Burdess Interview with Former teacher turned unschooling parent- Leah McDermott http://imhomeschooling.com/natural-learning-leah-mcdermott/ Other ways to help support the podcast? Become a patron~ https://www.patreon.com/honeyimhomeschoolingthekidsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  Judy Arnall is an adult educator, certified in brain and child development, and master of non-punitive parenting and education practices.  Judy is the bestselling author of 5 books on non-punitive parenting and unschooling and has unschooled 5 adult children. 3 have graduated university, 1 is presently attending and 1 is a Masters student. Unschooling, Math and STEM careers We are talking about math in homeschooling and unschooling this month, a topic that comes up often in homeschooling and unschooling discussions. How can homeschooling support a love of math? Do unschoolers learn math? How will my kids learn math if I'm not confident in math myself? Will my kids get enough math knowledge from home? Judy addresses many of these fears through her own experience of raising unschoolers that found careers in the STEM field and learned math to very high levels. In This Episode In this episode Judy talks about her family's journey unschooling to adulthood. Having raised 5 kids, all unschooled, Judy truly has the gift of hindsight. We explored unschooling and STEM, how the non-traditional path supported her children's STEM careers and;   Putting our doubts to bed The power of observation and the gift of hindsight "Walk and Talk"- engaging in meaty conversations with our kids Will kids learn multiplication tables if we don't teach them? Video Games and raising gamers Brain development and what happens in the adolescent years Self Regulation Math through play No worksheets until at least 13 Careers in STEM How her children faired from no school to their first high school math class How her unschoolers adjusted to University Judy's recommendations for supporting math in the younger years Supporting unschooling teens Why trust is fundamental Resources Unschooling to University   Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE)   Book- Unschooling To University FB Group- https://www.facebook.com/groups/UnschoolingSTEM   If you are interested in hearing more about unschooling and STEM from a grown unschooler you'll this episode~http://imhomeschooling.com/why-self-directed-learning-is-important/.   You'll also love this episode with Monica Truong, self directed learning advocate~http://imhomeschooling.com/why-self-directed-learning-is-important/   Other ways to help support the podcast? Become a patron~ https://www.patreon.com/honeyimhomeschoolingthekids  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  Deschooling Deschooling is a process of letting go of the singular beliefs we have attached with learning and kids. Beliefs that learning has to be done in a certain way, within certain times, within a certain kind of environment. Deschooling means possibilities. It’s a time to deconstruct the expectations, concerns, worries, beliefs around school, learning, and education. In This Episode In this episode I talk about what deschooling is and why it is important. I also share ways that we can embrace deschooling more in our homeschooling life. I take the time to to explore the meaning of the words learning, education and school. Better understanding these words and how we use them (or misuse them) can influence our daily learning life.  This past year has brought a huge change in learning, schooling and education. I think many of us knew a shift was already happening but COVID certainly sped things up. The homeschooling community exploded in numbers and the shift to online learning has been extraordinary. Now more than ever, parents are beginning to better understand the choices they have when it comes to learning, education and schooling.  Why We Try To Replicate School At Home That being said, a large amount of homeschooling this year looks a lot like trying to make the home into the classroom or school. That has brought frustration on the part of some parents. Why? The home is not the school classroom and as much as we try to replicate school at home, we cannot. Many parents deciding to try homeschooling for the first time have done so in a time of massive change. Trying to control change as much as possible is a natural human process. Our survival mechanism kicks in during times of stress and our pre-programmed routines take over.    So when we start out on the homeschool journey and face life change, we try to do what is safe. That means safe replicating what we know, which in this case is the pattern and structure of education in school.   Deschooling can help us to take a step back and slow down, giving us time to better understand our children, ourselves and how the learning process works. Then instead of trying to copy and put in place what may not work in our home, we can have a fresh slate to create and reinvent a space that better supports each individual's learning process. References and Resources https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/education-philosophy/   Britannica on Education~ https://www.britannica.com/topic/education   What is Learning? Queens University, Canada~ https://www.queensu.ca/teachingandlearning/modules/students/04_what_is_learning.html   School Free by Wendy Priesnitz   How Children Learn, John Holt   If you would like to hear more about deschooling, listen to my episode with Unschooling mom, author and business owner, Pam Laricchia~ http://imhomeschooling.com/hihtk-005-exploring-unschooling/   Or to my interview with Jo Watt, former teacher turned Unschooling mom and blogger ~ http://imhomeschooling.com/deschool-the-adult-mind/   Disclosure: When I recommend a product that I believe will add value, it may contain an affiliate link, and when you click the link and decide to make a purchase through that link, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. If you do, Thank you for your support.   Other ways to help support the podcast? Become a patron~ https://www.patreon.com/honeyimhomeschoolingthekids  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jenn Sutherland and Beyond School I am joined by Jenn Sutherland, worldschooling mom, entrepreneur and CEO of Beyond School. In addition to homeschooling her own four children, from birth to university entrance while traveling the world, full time, for over a decade, Jenn has a degree in education and over 20 years experience in helping families build world class educations for their children outside the four walls of a classroom. Now the CEO of Beyond School, she's focused on building a school of the future for families of the future and creating a third path in education, acknowledging that learning is happening everywhere. What You'll Find In This Episode In this episode Jenn and I explore the meaning of why learning is not an occurrence that happens only in school, within a certain timeframe of life. We talk about why and how learning is happening everywhere and learning is happening always. And why it is up to us as parents to shift our perspective on how and where learning can happen and let go of the fact that we have to control and measure every form of learning. This conversation included; Living A Life Of Adventure & Worldschooling Living a life of adventure and worldschooling- How her family went from a year of travel in 2008 to a life of travel and why it was the best decision they ever made The crash of 2008 and losing it all while on the road- How tragedy can be a catalyst to step back and re-evaluate what you really want out of life Travel full time? What Jenn and her husband did to be able to travel full time and recreate their careers. Learning & Homeschooling Learning and homeschooling-Does having credentials make you a better homeschooler or is it a liability? Prioritizing needs, wants and dreams. What is the difference between needs and wants? Who do you want to be in 1 year, 5 years? How do we make that happen for you? The most valuable things to teach in homeschooling "Everything I thought I knew about education from a classroom perspective had almost no bearing on getting the job done at home."-What Jenn had to learn to let go of in homeschooling Deschooling- unlearning and then re-learning Shifts in in beliefs and perspectives The Joy Of Teens The shift in our view of teens that needs to happen in our world Teenagers- why we need to start saying YES to their dreams Trust, failure and raising capable children to become capable adults School Of The Future- Beyond School The ways that COVID has shifted education and perspectives in education School of the future, Third Path education- why Beyond School began Child centred, learner centred and unique to each individual How Beyond School is cradle to grave learning over a lifetime, supporting young kids to adults "Homeschooling is not about teaching your children from a top down management perspective. It's about Celebrating the fact that learning is happening everywhere, learning is happening always and we are in it together. Everybody at a different stage." Jenn Sutherland If you enjoyed this episode and would like to hear more about alternatives to traditional school, I suggest you also check out these episodes: A Case For Self Directed Teens: Why Are You Still Sending Your Kids To School? with Blake Boles Self Directed Learning- Blake Boles Village Home Learning Community- with Lori Walker Alternatives To School- SHINE Together Holistic Learning Center- with Mandy Spiczka Resources Mentioned In This Episode Beyond School website- beyondschool.co The Teenage Liberation Handbook- Grace Llewellyn Not Back To School Camp Disclosure: When I recommend a product that I believe have will add value, it may contain an affiliate link, and when you click the link and decide to make a purchase through that link, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support. Other ways to help support the podcast? Become a patron~ https://www.patreon.com/honeyimhomeschoolingthekids See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Homeschooling Your Differently Wired Child "Adapt and let go of the stuff that doesn't bring you joy and bring your kids a love of learning. Switch it to make it fun and make learning the goal, not the product the goal" Divergent thinker? Twice Exceptional? Gifted? Dyslexic? Differently wired kids? Are you homeschooling your differently wired child? Feeling overwhelmed, beaten down and just not sure what to do? This episode is filled with guidance and inspiration from a mom that has been raising and homeschooling her own four uniquely wired children. Collen Kessler~Raising Lifelong Learners Colleen Kessler is an explorer, tinkerer, writer, educator, creator, and a passionate advocate for the needs of gifted and twice-exceptional children.  The author of more than a dozen books for parents, teachers, and children, Colleen is an award-winning educator, educational coach and consultant, with a B.S. in elementary education and a M.Ed. in gifted studies. She is the founder of the popular podcast and website, Raising Lifelong Learners and has launched a vibrant new community for quirky families called The Learner's Lab, full of creative lessons, problem solving activities, critical and divergent thinking games, and the social-emotional support differently-wired children and teens need most. Her newest book, Raising Resilient Sons: A Boy Mom's Guide to Building a Strong, Confident, and Emotionally Intelligent Family will be released this December by Ulysses Press. What you will find in this episode From the classroom to home- Why homeschooling her differently wired kids was not originally in Colleen's plan The difference between teaching in a classroom and homeschooling How their family's homeschool has evolved over the years The pervasive myth of being gifted What is the difference between a high achiever and a gifted person? What to spend your homeschool budget on The unique tools that Colleen uses to support the flourisher writer in her daughter Helping your differently wired child thrive Cherishing the intrinsic desire to learn, resiliency and emotional intelligence Colleen offers so many golden nuggets of wisdom in this episode; from building resiliency, raising our kids to be who they are and not who we want them to be, to what a typical day looks like in their household. Let me know if you have any lingering questions that you would like answered after this interview. Resources The Learner's Lab | A Raising Lifelong Learner's Community https://raisinglifelonglearners.com/the-learners-lab/ Colleen's new book- Raising Resilient Sons: A Boy Mom's Guide to Building a Strong, Confident, and Emotionally Intelligent Family Masterclass Amazon Echo Disclosure: When I recommend a product that I believe have will add value, it may contain an affiliate link, and when you click the link and decide to make a purchase through that link, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support. Other ways to help support the podcast? Become a patron~ https://www.patreon.com/honeyimhomeschoolingthekids Other Episodes you may enjoy: Listen to a Rad Educator trying to make a difference within the system~ http://imhomeschooling.com/kate-weber-rad-educator/ Akilah S. Richards of Fare of The Free Child Podcast talks about their journey into unschooling their gifted daughters, social justice and self liberation work. http://imhomeschooling.com/educational-freedom-akilah-richards/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome! In this episode I am talking about the Homeschool Journey and addressing questions from listeners. Homeschooling and Unschooling Questions Dealing with homeschool overwhelm? What you can do and why the solution sometimes means doing less, not more. What happens when the homeschool honeymoon is over? The importance of going back to your "WHY" and matching learning with purpose. I share questions and prompts that help you to start exploring your beliefs around learning and why this is important in building a strong home learning foundation. How can we support our kids interests and passions? Getting to know our child's interests How we can start to gather resources to support them Ways that we can document their learning (even when it doesn't look like school style learning) How do I know my child is learning? Should I give them tests in homeschooling? Why academics are only a small part of learning. Soft Skills The advantage of being in communication and conversation with your child Examples from our homeschooling life- how I know my kids are learning Applying and practicing knowledge-when learning is relevant and meaningful How do I apply resources to different age groups? Ways to support reading around the home Recognizing when basic needs must be met The importance of space and downtime How we find learning resources out of the everyday things in our home The Home Education Road Trip I find that more often than not, our immediate response to solving a problem is finding a person or a checklist that will just tell me what to do. But here's the thing. Homeschooling, just like every family that does it, is unique to each of us. We come from different backgrounds, communities, environments and different perspectives. A 1-10 checklist is not a guarantee to solve all of our problems. That is why in this episode I relate our home educating journey to the family road trip. We could be Unschooling, Classical homeschooling, Waldorf homeschool..it all applies to our individual situations. Each of us will be taking different transportation, will want to make different stops and may need longer or shorter breaks depending on where we are going, who we are and what we want to see and experience. I would love to know if this analogy - the road trip of home education- resonated with you. Send me a message or reach out on social media to let me know. Homeschool Journey Resources and Special Mentions in this Episode Happy and Healthy Kids Summit Homeschooling Global Summit Rural Mental Health Project Poetry Tea Time Masterclass Ted Talk- Jane McGonigal Gaming Can Make A Better World Outschool Classes Who Was Books... Deep Work- Cal Newport Free To Learn- Peter Gray My interview with Dr. Peter Gray Want to help support the podcast? https://www.patreon.com/honeyimhomeschoolingthekidsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Homeschool With Montessori In this episode I learn about homeschool with the Montessori method. Jeanne Marie talks about how she embraced Montessori and the reasons why it aligns with her heart and beliefs on learning, living and parenting. She offers essential tools to help parents follow our intuition, trust ourselves and trust our children. Parenting Mentor and Montessori Educator Jeanne-Marie Paynel, M.Ed, is a Parenting Mentor and Home Consultant dedicated to helping parents let go of the overwhelm so they can enjoy raising self-sufficient and resilient children with ease. Host of The Art of Parenting podcast and Founder of Your Parenting Mentor (formerly Voila Montessori) Jeanne Marie guides expectant parents, caregivers and parents of young children on how to better prepare their homes and themselves for their children to thrive during the first years of life. She believes that a supportive and peaceful atmosphere at home will allow every child to grow up as an independent, confident and capable learner. She combines her three passions: Montessori, Conscious Parenting and Positive Discipline. Her mission is to help parents appreciate the true importance of their role - not as servants or teachers, but as supporters and guides of their children's natural development. In This Episode In this episode we delve into the importance of trust in learning. Trust in our children and what they want to learn and trust in ourselves. Jeanne Marie explains how this is a fundamental part of Montessori and homeschooling. We discuss; Maria Montessori and the Montessori Method The start of the first Montessori school in 1907- The Children's House Understanding human development and why that is a foundational piece of Montessori What sets Montessori apart from traditional school A prepared environment for our children- supporting the curiosity to learn Mixed Ages, freedom of movement, freedom within limits and following the child The differences between Montessori and other child led methods The 4 Planes of a Child's Development in Montessori Montessori in Homeschooling Mindful Parenting and ways we can practice being more present Jeanne Marie's thoughts on Screen time and the influence on children's development My biggest takeaway from my interview with Jeanne Marie is that whether we are using the Montessori method at a school or in homeschooling, the foundation always remains the same. The key values in the Montessori method are actually the same key values in self directed learning. That is trust in your children, be their advocate in curiosity and support life long learning. Resources Book~The Secret of Childhood- Maria Montessori Website: http://www.voilamontessori.com Podcast The Art of Parenting: https://voilamontessori.com/the-art-of-parenting-podcast/ Instagram: @jeannemariepaynel FaceBook: Jeanne-Marie – Voila Montessori YouTube: Voila Montessori The Art of Parenting Podcast Episode- What is Montessori? Montessori Homeschool Summit We have featured Montessori, Worldschooling, homeschooling, Charlotte Mason and Classical education as well as my main theme of self directed education and unschooling. What are some other homeschool methods out there that you would like to hear more about? Support the show through Patreon~  https://www.patreon.com/honeyimhomeschoolingthekids. Patrons will receive a special bonus from Jeanne Marie on the 4 planes of development.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Homeschooling To The Ivy Leagues Carline Crevecoeur was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti in 1963. When she was five, Carline's parents immigrated to the United States with her and her five siblings, settling down in a two-story house in Brooklyn, New York. Carline attended St. John’s University where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1985, majoring in Chemistry. She went on to pursue her dream ofbecoming an OB/GYN, obtaining a medical degree from SUNY Downstate Medical School.After an unforeseeable series of events, she eventually retired from medicine to homeschool her five (now college-aged) children. She is the author of the upcoming book Pressure Makes Diamonds, in which she describes her memorable homeschooling journey. Today, she lives in Boalsburg, Pennsylvania with her husband Michael. I am sure you will enjoy this conversation with Carline as much as I did. Carline brings great experience and gives careful thought to everything that she shares with me. Yes, all five of her children attended Ivy League Universities but their goal was not homeschooling to the ivy leagues. Carline's goal was (and still is) family, to honour each of her children's unique needs and interests and enrich their life. Carline talks about pressure, but not pressure on her kids to succeed. It's the pressure the we put on ourselves as parents, on our kids, on each other. But it's surviving these pressures, that we come out a stronger person. "They kids tell you what they want to learn. What they love. You just have to listen." What You'll Hear In This Episode For the beginning homeschoolers- Carline's advice and tips. I love how what Carline recommends is practical and doable for each of us. Reach out to others, visualize how homeschooling can be a fun reality and decide to do it. We talk about embracing the attitude Homeschooling within a regulated state- How she worked through the requirements and standardized testing of her state What homeschooling opened her eyes to- What she learned about her kids once they started homeschooling Supporting her children's talents and choosing their own individual path- how she did this for each of her 5 child Homeschooling to the ivy leagues (university) and how each of her kids entered the Ivy Leagues The best moments and the difficult moments of homeschooling, including homeschooling through illness What impacts our current world will have on our society and education What life lessons that homeschooling has taught her Resources Find and connect with Carline: Website-https://www.carlinecrevecoeur.com/ Instagram-https://www.instagram.com/crevey22/ Twitter- https://twitter.com/medicrev Facebook-https://www.facebook.com/carline.crevecoeur Quiz Bowl If you would like to hear more about parents that homeschooled to the Ivy Leagues, check out my interview with Milva McDonald.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Charlotte Mason with Leah Boden Leah is a long-time student and practitioner of the Charlotte Mason method of education and is passionate about helping parents find their freedom within the philosophy. Leah and her husband Dave have 4 homeschooled children. She writes, speaks and podcasts using the Charlotte Mason philosophy as a springboard into her lessons on childhood, motherhood and education. Leah delights in coaching and leading others in this refreshing way of life. She is a speaker and writer for the international Wild + Free homeschooling community and creator of Modern Miss Mason. In This Episode I invited Leah to join me on this episode because I knew she would be a wonderful person to talk about the method and philosophy of Charlotte Mason. After 14 years Leah still carries the passion and enthusiasm that she had from the beginning. In this episode we discussed; Charlotte Mason- The prolific writer, educator and her vision and impact. Strategically planning the year- How Leah does this and what she has learned over the years. Creating rhythms of rest and pause. What their day looks like-morning rhythms and atmosphere The foundations of the Charlotte Mason philosophy- 1. Children are born persons. They are born whole. Our role as parents is to support this. 2. Education is the science of relations. Relationships are what matter. How we view children, how we view education and how all of that comes together is the foundation of the philosophy. The power and joy of using "Living Books" Finding your freedom within the philosophy Charlotte Mason and religion- can all backgrounds and beliefs follow the method? Is there a lack of cultural diversity in the method? The secret to longevity in homeschooling Homeschooling in the UK At the end of the episode I asked Leah to talk a little about life and requirements for homeschoolers in the UK. I have listeners from all over the world, including the UK and some are exploring homeschooling for the first time. Is there freedom or is it regulated? What if your child wants to attend college or university in the UK? Even though Leah and I practice different philosophies, our belief in children and learning remains the same; trust, joy in learning and relationships. We both agree that we are learning alongside our kids and our role as home educators is in supporting the beauty and passion of childhood. Charlotte Mason Resources Leah Boden Charlotte Mason Philosophy- Modern Miss Mason Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/leahvboden/ Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/modernmissmason/ Charlotte Mason Home Education Series The Parents Review Archive Living Books Referenced RJ Unstead- History of the English Speaking World Beautiful Stories From Shakespeare For Children- E. Nesbit Charles and Mary Lamb- Tales From Shakespeare Aesops Fables Charlottes Web If you want to learn more about different home educating styles check out these interviews on Classical Education- http://imhomeschooling.com/homeschooling-styles-classical-education/ Unschooling- http://imhomeschooling.com/hihtk-005-exploring-unschooling/  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Homeschool Styles & Methods Exploring different homeschooling methods, starting with Classical Education. If you are a returning listener to this podcast or to this website, you will know I'm and advocate of self-directed learning and unschooling. We began our learning journey in school but we left to travel with our kids. When we began worldschooling we tried to recreate school. As time went on and we dove further into home education, we started to transition into project based learning and then into unschooling. It felt right for us and matched the needs and goals of our family. We choose unschooling but there are many other homeschoolers that have different approaches to learning. What I truly believe when it comes to learning is that the best learning reflects the learner. A Continuing Resource For Homeschooling Over the years, this podcast has become a go-to resource for learning outside of the traditional school norm.With the the growth of homeschool, particularly in this current year, I want to continue to show the many different facets of home education and alternative education. I have featured homeschooling, unschooling, micro schools, democratic schools, forest schools, self directed learning, worldschooling and more. But I have yet to feature a few other wonderful learning approaches such as Classical, Charlotte Mason, Montessori and Waldorf. So we begin with this episode that features Classical education and for those interested, a Classical program for homeschoolers. Classical Educator Lisa Ann Dillon of Wisdom Wonder Project Lisa Ann Dillon is a homeschool mom to two children and Classical teacher at SLO Classical Academy for 15 years. (San Luis Obispo Classical Academy) SLO Classical Academy is a private, nonprofit hybrid school for homeschoolers. It offers a physical campus for classes ranging from infant care to high school. Wisdom Wonder Project is a rich online curriculum founded on the principles of classical education. It offers Classical education with a twist. It is non-sectarian, with the classical emphasis on character values while emphasizing the value of play. The goals is to make the power, magic and mystery of learning accessible to the modern homeschool family. The Classical Education Method In this episode Lisa Ann and I discuss the Classical education method. What it is, what kind of learner it supports and the cross-over it can have with unschooling. Lisa Ann answers for me; What is the Classical method and what does it look like in the home? What kind of practices and activities are at the foundation of the Classical education method? Why is it considered such a content rich approach? Is the Classical method a very structured program? What is the difference between structure and stricture? How does the Classical education approach in-still a love of learning? The power of observation in the Classical approach. What families are drawn to Classical method? Is Classical education religious? Can you be a non-religious family and be part of Classical education? Classical Education is a literature rich program. How does Math fit into the approach? Are there similarities between the Classical method and Unschooling? Themes That Cross Over To All Forms Of Learning At the end of the episode Lisa Ann and I took time to explore learning themes that we feel are essential to living a rich learning life, no matter what kind of method a family uses. This includes; Story- The power of story, how it can change history and how it connects us on a deep level. "When children learn to value the story of others that's where they develop empathy...emotional intelligence..and a desire to connect with other people".   Engagement- Does engagement occur naturally or does it need to be encouraged? Why is engagement an important part of learning? How do we encourage or tap into engagement?   Relationships- The layers of relationship. The first layer is the relationship with ourselves and then the layers of community. We all need to establish a positive relationship with ourselves. When students see themselves as learners and see that they have agency and responsibility for their learning- it's a good foundation for learning and self esteem.   Vulnerability- How does vulnerability empower our relationships? As we learn to be vulnerable, we learn to reveal what's true.   Mistakes- Vulnerability and mistakes go hand in hand. Our mindset is essential towards effort and growth as opposed to "getting it right". How do we make mistakes without holding onto the idea that we are not good enough? We explore how being afraid to make a mistake can hamper learning and the love of learning.   Challenge- Finding the right balance. Is it important?   Lisa Ann leaves us with exceptional advice for parents new and old to home learning. I encourage you to take note of her advice on how to close out the home learning day with your kids and how it builds the power of connection while comp

  Look For The Helpers-Village Home Learning Community with Lori Walker Lori Walker is passionate about the idea that learning is a natural process, and is an inherently fun process. It feels good to learn, so why are so many students bored and disengaged? Lori is the founder and Executive Director of Village Home, where learners actually enjoy learning. Village Home is a learning community that is built on the idea that learning is ultimately self-directed, and we, as teachers, are here to encourage learning as a process. Learners are all unique, with unique interests and learning styles. The Village Home model allows learners to pursue their interests as an individual while also participating in a family-friendly, community learning environment.   Prior to founding Village Home in 2002, Lori was the Director of Training and Curriculum at Learning Forum, based in California, where she designed academic and life skills curriculum, trained teachers, and facilitated programs for teens. She also served as a facilitator herself at programs in the United States and abroad. Lori has over 18 years of experience teaching and training adults and children in a variety of subjects, from psychology to accounting for REITs.  She earned degrees, graduating summa cum laude with distinction and honors, from SMU in Business Management and Psychology, with an emphasis in child development. Lori’s two daughters provided the initial inspiration for Village Home, and her job as mom is the best job she will ever have. She lives in Beaverton with her husband and an assortment of animals. Village Home Learning Community with Lori Walker Lori Walker is part of my special series Look For The Helpers. Lori saw a need in the homeschool community that was not being addressed and she set about solving that problem. She saw engaged homeschool parents that were close to burnout. Their children were involved in a multitude of activities that required them to spend endless hours in the car, along with many hours organizing. They wanted their kid's interests and need for knowledge adequately filled but to do that were sacrificing too much of their time and energy. Lori also saw that the one part of school that she enjoyed and valued most as a kid, which were the experiences and camaraderie that school activities and clubs offered, was not readily available to homeschool kids. As a homeschool parent herself, she wanted all of that for her daughters but she still wanted to enjoy the benefits of the homeschool lifestyle and the freedom to learn. So she created Village Home. Village Home Village Home has made a difference in the lives of many homeschooling families. It has also provided an example of a learning space that engages learners, allows them to own their education and lets them lead, while being part of a broader learning community. Learners are passionate, families are welcome and educators are inspired to work there. In This Episode In this Episode Lori and I talk about how Village Home meets the needs of natural learners, supports teachers to inspire kids and creates a community space for the entire family.   We discuss;   the natural learning process and nurturing the desire to learn why it is important for learners to be engaged in their learning the difference between measurement in education and the intrinsic motivation to learn choosing to homeschool and why Lori saw homeschooling as a better chance to be in the world compared to the 4 walls of the classroom what happens when we pay attention to the human being as opposed to the curriculum Lori's "aha" moments that came through homeschooling her own children the rewards she has received through homeschooling and creating the Village Home learning community   What Lori described as the rewards she has received really stuck with me. She said, "it's noticing kids being themselves. They are free to be who they are." I agree with Lori, that is a reward well worth experiencing.   If you would like to find out more about Village Home, you can go to their website https://www.villagehome.org/ You can also find them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/villagehome   Lori and I recorded this episode before quarantine was lifted. As you can imagine, there are a few new updates;   We are thrilled to host classes that build community and learning in live classes online for homeschoolers in the Fall!  We have 140 mixed-age, grade-free classes to choose from (most of them are $11/hour of instruction). Registration information is at www.villagehome.org. Local homeschoolers in the pacific NW can register for our new Voyagers Outside program, fresh-air learning (as long as it is safe to do so).    We have a virtual meet-the-teacher open house on Tuesday, July 28th if anyone wants to stop by to meet us, and we also host a weekly homeschooling FAQ for those new to this exciting lifestyle on Tuesdays at 4:0

Decentralized, Democratic and Self Directed- The Genius School with Karema Akilah In this episode Karema Akilah and I talk about her journey from public school teacher to unschooling parent of 6, to the creation of The Genius School. Karema is an advocate of children learning in freedom. She brings not only passion to this episode, but she clearly explains the practice of self directed education and the myths that surround it, as well as the the framework of a "school" that is decentralized, democratic and self directed. She asks, "what is really the end game of this k-12 education?" If you are looking for inspiration and clarity, I encourage you to listen. In This Episode Homeschool Burn-out almost drove this mama of The Half Dozen to the edge of depression! Being a slave to her curriculum, Karema Greene, felt like a failure; always behind with apathetic kids who lacked a luster for learning! It took 3 strikes; a trip to the craft store, a “slap in the face” from a 16 year old and the idea of “a fish climbing a tree,” to finally convince her to try something she said she would NEVER DO; Unschool! Karema is the founder of The Genius School, a decentralized, democratic, self directed school. Karema champions other mamas and papas to discover the Genius of their children by encouraging kids to do something they would enjoy, do well and be proud of, thus leading to their Strengths! Once strengths and interests are identified and articulated, Karema believes kids should be invited to dream up disruptive and scalable solutions housed in marketable systems that are nurtured and funded by successful entrepreneurs with the intent of bringing a child’s gift to the world. That’s a world she believes we all would like to live in!  The Genius School With her teaching background and her oldest in adulthood, Karema saw what was lacking in the conventional learning experience. That is the reason why she created The Genius School and the 5 pillars that frame. We delve into: The foundation of trust Having good experiences Servicing community What it means to be decentralized, democratic and self directed and why she chose this model Karema and I also spoke of the obstacles that self directed learning schools face which are; lack of awareness, lack of diversity, lack of funding, lack of documentation and how we can go about overcoming these obstacles. If you are inspired by Karema and what she is creating with The Genius School and would like to offer your support or learn more, you can go HERE to register for the virtual open house. And please, spread the message of self directed learning. Resources and Links The Genius School Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/decentralizedlearning/ Register for the Virtual Open House- https://www.thegeniusschool.org/events You can contact Karema directly- info@genius Dr. Glenn Doman - Institutes For The Achievement of Human Potential Homeschooling Global Summit 2020 https://2020.hgsummit.com/ Getting It Together Parent Summit July 15-17 If you would like to learn more about the Sudbury School Model, check out my interview with one of the founders, Daniel Greenberg http://imhomeschooling.com/sudbury-valley-school-daniel-greenberg/ If you would like to hear more about decolonizing education and liberated learning, listen to my interview with Akilah S Richards http://imhomeschooling.com/educational-freedom-akilah-richards/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Look For The Helpers-Mothering The Mother with Amanda Curmi Amanda is a mother of 3 beams of energy and resides on the east coast of Australia. They are an unschooling family moving through life as gently and consciously as they can together. She loves supporting and diving deep into a gentle approach towards education and sees herself as a facilitator rather than a teacher, aiming to hold space for the children to lead the way and develop through self - directed learning. The process of choosing to home educate has also sparked a journey of deep self exploration, healing and tapping into her own creative power.   Amanda also teaches yoga and meditation. She is also currently studying to become a Yoga therapist and Ayurvedic Post- Partum doula. She is passionate about creating community for women and mothers and believes the way we parent can create deep emotional and social change. Amanda loves spending loads of time in nature with her family, creating, studying, cooking and gardening, practicing yoga and considers herself to forever be a student in this lifetime. The Power of Self Care in Home Education In the space of home education there is a side effect that is not often spoken of. Parents that put so much time and effort into their children to prove they are enough. Without school, we feel 100% responsible for what we provide our child not only as a parent but as their educator too. We want to make sure we are providing 'enough' opportunity, are a good 'enough' parent, and are setting the right example for the community. That is a lot to place on our shoulders. The needs and self care of the parent, in particular the mother, becomes the last need that is attended to. Burn out is a concern.   I asked Amanda Curmi to be the helper for this episode in the series because I wanted to talk about the power of self care from a holistic perspective and how that ties into the family's learning journey. As an unschooling mother, yoga teacher and yoga therapist, and soon to be Ayurvedic Doula, I knew Amanda would have fantastic insight. Mothering The Mother in Life and Unschooling Amanda and I talk about the importance of Mothering the Mother. She explains clearly why caring for the mother is also caring for the child. It is a connection to ourselves that has been lost or stolen along the way. Listen in to hear us delve into;   The tools that are an important part of this practice How yoga and meditation became an important tool to helping her deal with her anxiety and depression Guiding beliefs around learning and parenting A day in the life of their unschooling family Their unschooling foundations- talking and communication, being in community, nature and time outside Encouraging the creative process The practice of yoga What it means to Call A RESET in their family The power of focusing her energy on what she wants the collective future to look like   Amanda leaves us with fantastic advice and practical tools on trying to balance life and learning from home. It's about planting the seeds that you want to grow later in your life. Resources If you are interested in getting in touch with Amanda Curmi, you can reach her through Facebook or Instagram.   Instagram @teachingthemtochasethesun   Facebook- Awaken Through Motherhood   You can also check out the first two Helpers in this series; David Irvine http://imhomeschooling.com/look-for-the-helpers-parenting-and-being-human/ and Homeschool Mom Teresa Wiedrick http://imhomeschooling.com/look-for-the-helpers-thrive-not-just-survive/ Become a Patron- https://www.patreon.com/honeyimhomeschoolingthekidsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  "Children really learn best when they are able to pursue their own interests and follow their own timetable." Alternatives To School Mandy Spiczka has been helping kids learn and grow all of her life. Through mentoring, a summer program counsellor, an after school coordinator, tutor and then as a public school teacher she has always been drawn to work that allows her to support kids. But once Mandy became a parent herself, she decided she wanted her daughter to "have an education that is as unique as she is". She wanted an education that aligned with everything she had learned about in child psychology and development, everything that she had studied as a teacher and as a person that has always been connected to children. The education that aligned with her values was not found in the school. It had to be an alternative to school. It was homeschooling, or more specifically, self directed learning. And once Mandy made the decision to homeschool her daughter, she knew it was the right choice. SHINE Together Mandy has spent the last decade leading groups for parents and children, including the St. Cloud Unschooling Network. The St. Cloud Unschooling Network links over sixty families in central Minnesota who believe learning cannot be separated from life and who value play, exploration, growth, and following their children’s leads.  As Mandy met more families that shared her views on self directed education, she also met families that were not able to put this type of learning into action because of varying obstacles; a spouse that didn't agree or a work schedule that could not support learning from home or a parent that needed a little extra help. Mandy knew she could help these families by offering what they were not able to do. She has now founded SHINE Together, LLC, a holistic learning space that supports families that wish to home educate or unschool full-time, but for individual reasons, cannot.SHINE Together is a flexible space where each child’s interests, needs, and strengths take center stage and where academic learning is fully integrated with real-life experiences. In This Episode In this episode Mandy shares why she is an advocate of self directed learning and holistic learning. She shares her experiences as a teacher and and did not want for her daughter; an environment that is "creating so many kids that are out of alignment with who they are as human beings". She also shares her own struggles as a parent on the self directed learning path and explains why deschooling is such an important part of the self directed learning process. What helps to keep her focused on the self directed path? The challenges of conventional schooling Reading and why so many children have lost the joy to read Why children should be at the centre of education How she approaches testing in a state that requires homeschoolers to test every year What a week in her holistic learning community, SHINE Together looks like The advantages of home education Advice to parents that are new to learning at home with their children Why it's important to help your child establish a rhythm and not a strict schedule Many more families are beginning to question the model of schooling and if it is where their children learn best. If you are a parent that is looking for alternatives to school and how you can best support your children on their life learning path, there's no time like the present to start. Mandy suggests, "Think about the values and educational philosophies that are specific to your family. Find the groups and communities that are out there that can support you." I am sure you will find more alternatives. If you need a little more help on this path, don't be afraid to reach out. Resources SHINE Together Facebook https://www.shinetogethermn.com/ If you would like to learn more about Micro schools, or other alternatives to conventional school, check out my episode on Microschools with Mara Linaberger. I speak with Daniel Greenburg, one of the original founders of the Sudbury Valley School, the longest running Democratic School in North America here. If you would like to be inspired by a parent that saw the importance of nature along with natural learning, listen to my episode with Michelle Goulet, founder of Wild Child Forest and Nature school. If you enjoy the show and it has provided value, you can support the show through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/honeyimhomeschoolingthekids  By becoming a patron, you will receive a special episode bonus that Mandy and I recorded on the topic of reading and when or if there is a time that a child 'should' begin to read. Look out for more to come!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  Blake Boles is a writer, speaker, adventurer, and advocate for self-directed learning. He has spent more than a decade working with unconventionally educated teenagers through the trip-leading company he founded, Unschool Adventures. Originally from California, Blake has lived and traveled across the world. His previous books include The Art of Self-Directed Learning, Better Than College, and College Without High School, and his work has been featured in The New York Times, The Christian Science Monitor, Psychology Today, Fox Business, USA Today, NPR affiliate radio, and the blogs of Wired and The Wall Street Journal. Visit blakeboles.com to follow Blake’s work and adventures. Self Directed Teens Blake Boles was in University, unsure of which major and path to pursue when he discovered John Taylor Gatto. John Taylor Gatto's critique on the school system led Blake into learning more about unschooling, democratic free schools and self directed learning. Really, Blake had entered the alternative learning rabbit hole. He became convinced that this was much more important than what he had planned to pursue before. He ended up designing his own major at Berkeley University. (He called it Alternative schooling and Science). After graduation he eventually found his way to Not Back To School Camp and became a staff member there. Surrounded by self directed teens, Blake was inspired. He is known for being the go-to person on self directed teens. Why Are You Still Sending Your Kids To School? Blake Boles returns to Honey! I'm Homeschooling The Kids podcast to talk about his fantastic new book, Why Are You Still Sending Your Kids To School? I really enjoyed this book and I recommend it to any parent that is looking at other options than traditional school. This book is not about reforming the public education system. It is a resource for parents that realize that traditional school is no longer working for their child and are ready to try something different. In This Episode Even though this book is not about reforming the public education system, we do discuss public education, the importance it plays for society today (it may not be what you are thinking) and how Blake sees it serving our future world. We also talk about the list of different options that parents have outside of the traditional system and aside from homeschooling. We go further to discuss;   Why there is no one solution that fits all   When alternative methods in learning and education can become dogmatic   Why the burden of proof has been on those that have taken the alternative path   The battle of nature vs nurture and intensive parenting. How much influence do parents really hold over shaping their children's lives?   Why we invest in building up trust with our kids   Our current education situation in the time of COVID. Is this really a boom for homeschooling?   Baby steps to becoming self directed   Blake's 'Model for Life'   If you are a self directed teen, a parent of self directed teens or would like to be one of these, I suggest that you check out the fantastic resources that Blake offers. Books, videos, podcast~you can find these on his website. If you would like to listen to another interview of Blake, you can check out his first appearance on Honey! I'm Homeschooling The Kids here. Resources Blake Boles Dot Com   Book: Why Are You Still Sending Your Kids To School?   Podcast: Off Trail Learning   John Taylor Gatto   Not Back To School Camp   Grace Llewellyn- The Teenage Liberation Handbook   Jane McGonigal   If you enjoy the show and it has provided value, you can support the show through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/honeyimhomeschoolingthekids  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Work Schedules and Family Rhythms: Jim and Jamie Sheils I went looking for helpers and I found Jim and Jamie Sheils. Jim and Jamie Sheils help busy professionals create deeper, more connected, more meaningful relationships with their spouse and children so they can have the family life they've always imagined. As successful entrepreneurs with a family of six, Jim & Jamie speak all over the world, guiding others in igniting their family life, as they grow and nurture their business life. Through their book, the Amazon best-seller “The Family Board Meeting,” and their entrepreneur family-serving organization, 18 Summers, Jim & Jamie are helping to transform families and show them how to make the most of the time they have together. Jim and Jamie believe in honesty and connection and aren't afraid to incorporate a life of adventure into their large family. They have 4 kids from ages toddler to teens, run 2 businesses and do this while home educating, alternative schooling and experiential learning. It sounds pretty spectacular, doesn't it? But the Sheils family is quick to point out that they are not perfect. Perfection is not the goal. Schedules and Rhythms, consistency and communication are the tools they utilize. They celebrate their wins, focus on what's going well and build on that. They are the first to recommend taking the pressure of perfection off of the table. In This Episode In this episode we talk about many of the concerns that families are facing during this pandemic; Learning From Home - What kind of environment do we provide to learn? The Education Matrix- The grassroots foundation of success that they created, use in their family and teach to others -(The 3 key skills that people always use and need in life but are not taught in schools.) Working from Home -Creating boundaries and expectations and sticking to them. The importance of having a separate space to work. Schedules and Rhythms. What is the difference between schedules and rhythms and how do these play a part in their home life, learning life and work life? 'Work Puking" :) Why Jim is good at "Work Puking" and how he is able to control it, feel less overwhelmed but more present and connected. (A new word I'm enjoying) Taking the pressure of perfection off. Start where you can and if it's not working, then you can change it. Revise, revise revise. The Enterprise of Family Life. Are we cheating connection or enhancing our connection? Dealing with Conflict in the home. How to avoid turning a 10 minute issue into a 3 day issue. Why it's not the time to put your head in the sand. Take inventory and assess~Does your business need work? What about your family? "If our children can see us look for help, then they will know that they too can reach for it when they need it." Jamie Sheils   Resources Connect with the Sheils and the 18 Summers Tribe Instagram Facebook Private Facebook Group Website: https://18summers.com/ Jim was one of the first guests on my podcast! You can check out the interview here to find out more about their family and why they chose the alternative learning path. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  Thrive, Not Just Survive with Teresa Wiedrick Teresea Wiedrick joins me on this edition of my special series, Look For The Helpers. We talk about learning, homeschooling, and living through a an epidemic with teenagers. How do we manage overwhelm and learn to thrive, not just survive? Teresa Wiedrick is eager to share the freedoms of the homeschool lifestyle with the skeptical, the intrigued, and the curious. Twelve years ago, she searched for arguments against homeschooling, and that search shifted her family’s next decade. She is now a hearty advocate of home education and encourages other homeschool families to turn their challenges into their charmed homeschool lives. Having homeschooled for more than twelve years, Teresa is very aware of the intense nature of this lifestyle. "A mama has got to practice self-care so she can thrive, not just survive," Teresa says. Teresa is president of the British Columbia Home Education Association and will release her book, “Homeschool Mama Self-Care: Thrive not Just Survive” very very soon.She can be found on-line at www.capturingthecharmedlife.com, www.instagram.com/capturing_the_charmed_life In This Episode In this special episode Teresa talks about some of the challenges that parents face as they try to home educate their children and the solutions that can last a lifetime. We discuss; Working while homeschooling~is there ever really the 'perfect' balance? Keeping our kids engaged Socialization vs social opportunities Why knowing your purpose helps guide any activities throughout your days Managing Intense Emotions Overwhelm and negative self-talk Self Care We also talk about what becomes important in learning and education, new ways that we can approach our current reality and supporting unexpected home learners with teens. Teresa's family has experienced a pandemic crisis before. The isolation, uncertainty and lack of control are not new to them. It is only fitting that as I look for the helpers, she is one that I find. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Just go to my contact page and send me a message. If you would like to contact Teresa, you can find her contact below, along with the resources that we talked about in this episode. Resources Capturing The Charmed Life   The Homeschooling Option: How To Decide When It's Right For Your Family   Hold On To Your Kids~Dr. Gordon Neufeld   Joseph Campbell   Ryan Reynolds Instagram (share a few of the laughs ;)   Dr. Daniel Amen   Julie Bogart   John Taylor Gatto   John Holt   You may have heard us reference Julie Bogart in the episode. Julie was also a guest on this podcast. If you'd like to hear her interview, you can go here.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Look For The Helpers~ A Series “Anyone who has ever been able to sustain good work has had at least one person – and often many – who have believed in him or her. We just don’t get to be competent human beings without a lot of different investments from others… From the time you were very little, you’ve had people who have smiled you into smiling, people who have talked you into talking, sung you into singing, loved you into loving.” Fred Rogers This is the beginning of a special series titled, "Look For The Helpers". It's inspired by the late Fred Rogers who was the creator and host of the long running television show, Mr. Rogers neighbourhood. Fred Rogers was a champion of children and his mission was to spread kindness and connection throughout the world. Mr Rogers' mother would tell him "look for the helpers" whenever he felt scared or there was a catastrophe. Because when you "look for the helpers", you will know there is hope. Each person that I interview in this series has been a helper to me either directly or indirectly. During this COVID pandemic, I think that we can all use a little help and that is why I am sharing my helpers with you. I want to give some hope, to inspire you, to support you, to "talk you into talking" and to "smile you into smiling". We will focus on dealing with fear and anxiety, parenting, working from home while supporting our children, learning from home during times of stress, strengthening our connection with family and community and gathering the tools that will strengthen us not just during a catastrophe, but at anytime in our life. My First Helper: David Irvine The first episode of this series is about becoming an authentic leader within our home. We focus on being human and why that empowers our personal self, our parenting and our relationships. My "helper" is David Irvine the Leaders Navigator. David brings his expertise and genuine care to this episode. David is a speaker, advisor, author and former family therapist. He is also a husband, father and grandfather. David has inspired me through his work and his writings. We share similar values and his genuine care connects with my heart. David believes in strong character and facing the demands of reality. He believes in the roots of self respect, the power of love and the goodness of people. And he believes in being human and having patience with ourselves and with our kids. In This Episode: Parenting and Being Human In this episode David and I talk about how these values play a role in parenting and how to be a "good enough parent". We also talk about how they can sustain us in raising our children and finding joy in the process. During these times of isolation and change we explore what is important in these days; why it is not a time of high productivity but a time of creation and connection. why personal development is the best gift we can give to others how we can get to know ourselves on a deeper level, within the walls of our home the importance of separating our own identity with that of our kids and the ways that we can do this why we need to be easier on ourselves and not be afraid to be human with each other Acknowledging and talking about our fears Identifying wants vs needs How we can have an external community and an internal community David's Wall of Influence~ recognizing the people in life that help make us and support us I would like to thank David Irvine for sharing his wisdom and being a helper. If you would like to connect with David you can find him at his website https://www.davidirvine.com/ If you would like to hear more about finding opportunities for learning during COVID, check out my episode with Mara Linaberger http://imhomeschooling.com/homeschooling-during-covid/ Support the show through Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/honeyimhomeschoolingthekids Follow me on instagram: instagram.com/honeyimhomeschoolingthekids/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Honeyimhomeschoolingthekids/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mara Linaberger joins me to talk about the changes that families are facing as everyone finds themselves homeschooling during COVID. What are the opportunities for learning? Are you homeschooling or doing school-at-home? We discuss the effects that COVID could have on the education system and helpful tools for parents during this time. About Mara Mara Linaberger's essential belief is that each of us has chosen to be here on the planet at this moment in time for a specific reason - that we're all on a mission we chose for ourselves. And figuring out what it is that we love, what we're good at, and why we've chosen to be here now, is the main reason for continuing to engage in rich and meaningful learning throughout a lifetime. Mara also believes that many schools actually slow down or stifle those goals and outcomes. She's passionate about helping parents and kids figure out the very best ways to harness learning in order to develop to their highest potentials!  Mara is a life-long educator, author, musician, and artist, having spent 25 years in service as a public school educator, teacher trainer, and administrator. She first earned her doctorate in Instructional Technology, then went on to earn a Superintendent's Letter of Eligibility in the state of Pennsylvania. Having seen the reality of school from top to bottom, she then sensed it was time for her to change directions. Mara began to explore new ways of teaching and learning with her first business, Mindful Technology Consultants. Mara currently lives with her husband Michael in Harmony, PA. Her newest endeavor, Microschool Builders - is a virtual company that supports teachers across the globe to envision, launch, and network a bespoke microschool of their very own. In This Episode Are you homeschooling during COVID? Is this new to you? In this episode we talked about considering your options at home as opposed to re-creating school at home. Mara provides insight and tools for parents. I asked Mara; What effect will COVID have on education as we know it? Why is it easier to make changes outside of the bigger school system? What should our main concerns be for our kids right now? (Here's a hint- it's not grades and the amount of school work completed) The tools kids need to be effective learners Deprograming and Deschooling Helpful tools for parents The skills of self regulation The benefits of boredom Why we don't want to recreate the classroom in our dining room Self Directed Learning What can a parent do right now to best support their child? In response to the many families homeschooling during COVID, the Micro School Builders Network are opening their doors to families. Kids have the chance to attend a week of virtual classes with a Micro-School. You can go to their website to find out more~ https://microschoolbuilders.com/programs/network/ Resources Micro-School Builders- https://microschoolbuilders.com/ Documentary - Class Dismissed Micro-School Builders Facebook Mara has been a previous guest on the show. If you'd like to learn more about Micro-School Builders you can go to this episode~ http://imhomeschooling.com/micro-schools-mara-linaberger/ . Mara has been working with families for years to help them find the best educational setting. That means a place that allows their kids to be happy and thriving. She talks more about this work in this episode, http://imhomeschooling.com/hihtk-004-help-my-child-hates-school/ Support the show through Patreon https://www.patreon.com/honeyimhomeschoolingthekidsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Golda David is a teacher, former school principal and homeschooling mom. Golda is the homeschool facilitator for our school division’s homeschool program, supporting families in alternative education, homeschooling and unschooling. She is also our family’s personal homeschool facilitator. And no surprise, she is an advocate for self directed learning. Golda shares how she went from public school principal to homeschooling her son and running a program that is unique to our province. And she does this all as a single mom. We talk about; Why and how the school system is due for a change Her biggest struggles to homeschooling as a single parent and public school educator Her advice to parents that are interested in homeschooling and in need of a confidence boost The 3 myths in education Standardized testing (are they an accurate measure of learning?) Reading-(Why it’s not the end of the world if your child is a late reader) Learning must be rigorous (When play and autonomy=rigour) Go to http://imhomeschooling.com/education-demystified-lessons-from-a-principal-teacher-homeschooler/ for show notes.  Resources Marie Battiste: Decolonizing Education   Teaching in a Cold and Windy Place: Change in an Inuit School   Ivan Illich: Deschooling Society   John Taylor Gatto: https://www.johntaylorgatto.com/   John Holt: https://www.johnholtgws.com/   Peter Gray: Free To Learn On Standardized Testing Alfie Kohn: https://www.alfiekohn.org/   W. James Popham (on Standardized Testing): http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/mar99/vol56/num06/Why-Standardized-Tests-Don%27t-Measure-Educational-Quality.aspx   Todd Farley: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/574656/making-the-grades-by-todd-farley/   Mark Garrison: https://www.amazon.com/Measure-Failure-Political-Origins-Standardized/dp/1438427786   Connect or hear more from Golda: Website: www.demystifyingeducation.com First Nation Education: A Study  https://firstnationsstudents.weebly.com/ Contact her via email: [email protected] or phone (1)780-219-2119 Ways To Support The Show Patreon: Your support helps make the show production possible. https://www.patreon.com/honeyimhomeschoolingthekids Leave a Review: Leave a review on itunes. Share the show on Social Media: You can tag me on Instagram or share on Facebook @honeyimhomeschooliongthekids If you want to learn more about some of the authors mentioned in this episode, check out my interview with Peter Gray or Pat Farenga (co-author with John Holt). If you would like to hear more from teachers turned Unschoolers, check out my episode with Leah McDermott.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Monica Truong, unschooling mom and self directed learning advocate. In this episode Monica "schools" me on child-led democratic education, self directed learning and creating a culture of respect, trust and sovereignty. Democratic and Self Directed Monica Truong was born in Vietnam and came to Canada with her family as a refugee at the age of 6. She has a BSc in Chemistry and likes to joke that she works with the "chemistry" of people, as she has never worked in her field of study. Monica taught English in Asia for 12 years and travelled to as many countries. When her oldest started school, Monica also decided to go back to school and received her diploma in Architectural Technology. In another twist of fate, she never worked in that field either and started homeschooling instead. Monica is learning and living with her husband and two daughters. Two years ago, she and two other moms, Sheri Daley and Sarah Atkinson, started the Chinook Free Learners Community Coop. Chinook Free Learners is a child-led, democratic learning centre inspired by Sudbury School and Agile Learning Centres. What To Listen For In This Episode The three reasons that led Monica to unschooling The beliefs that she had to let go of around what it means to be a good or "smart" student Why she is an advocate for self directed learning and democratic schooling What she tells her traditionally minded parents about unschooling and their democratic learning centre Self directed learning and how it works How a democratic, agile learning centre works Will kids learn if you don't teach them? What about math and reading? Won't kids make bad choices if they are given freedom? The biggest challenges for Chinook Free Learners and unschooling? Letting go of mom guilt Monica's hope for education and children? What advice would she give to a parent that's interested in unschooling or a democratic learning centre? Monica's hope for children is that they know they are powerful, that they are free and sovereign people and that they can make a difference in the world. I think that she is well on her way to making this a reality. Notable Quotes and Resources "I read a book called 'A Child Called It'....After reading it I came to the realization that our children will love us, no matter how awful we can be as parents and it made me want to do the best I can. Well actually, better than I can. Because I want to feel that I really deserve the love of my children." Monica Truong "I homeschool because the type of education that I think is best for my kids are not available in public school, not because schools are inherently evil. They, like any man-made innovation can be used for good or evil. Public schools serve a very practical, useful purpose-to take care of our children while we adults go about our work." Monica Truong "If unschooling was a religion, it would be Tao. "Trust Your Children. Nothing could be more simple, or more difficult because to trust children we must first learn to trust ourselves, and most of us were taught as children that we could not be trusted." John Holt "We worry about what our children will become tomorrow. We forget that they are someone today." Stacy Tauscher Contact Monica or Chinook Free Learners Chinook Free Learners website Chinook Free Learners Facebook Resources Sandra Dodd Joyce Fetteroll Pam Sarooshian Pam Laricchia Exploring Unschooling Mortensen Math Alliance For Self Directed Education Thrive Calgary Books Deschooling Society A Child Called It Free To Learn Everywhere All The Time: A New Deschooling Reader Dumbing Us Down: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling Free At Last: The Sudbury Valley School Punished By Rewards If you want to learn more about Democratic Education, check out my episode on Sudbury Valley School with Daniel Greenberg See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stacey Piercey has been an entrepreneur for over 15 years and a homeschool parent to 3 boys for over a decade. She is also the creator of Kids2Market, a program that teaches kids from ages 6-17 how to start a business with an idea they are passionate about.   Stacey learned about unschooling even before she had kids. While teaching at a University in China, she met a 9 year old self directed learner that captured her attention. His name was Matt. Matt and his mom moved to China for teaching work. At the time Matt was not yet reading, could not tell time and could not write. But he would build the most fascinating structures out of any material. And he spoke 3 different dialects of Chinese. His learning was self directed. His life had none of the influences of the traditional education system and its conceived beliefs. He was immersed in life learning.   Fast forward a few years to when Stacey starts her own family. She remembers her friend Matt. She and her husband agree to unschool. Unschooling and Entrepreneurship Have you ever noticed that many unschoolers become entrepreneurs? Or that many entrepreneurs are choosing to unschool?   In this episode Stacey and I delve into the parallels between unschooling and entrepreneurship. We the skills needed in entrepreneurship and how they are the same skills that unschoolers utilize in their daily lives. Skills like perseverance, resiliency, motivation, and critical thinking. We also explore how the harder parts of unschooling reflect entrepreneurship. The uncertainty, the peaks and valleys, the steep learning curves and the need for trust.   Do you have an interest in unschooling or supporting the entrepreneurial spirit? If so, then this is the episode for you.   Why is trust and self advocacy important in self directed learning?   Is there a common path that self directed learners follow?   What is the best way to support your child through unschooling? (hint~starting with the WHY)   Societal norms and expectations around learning   What if my child is a late reader?   How to best communicate with teachers if your unschooler decides to go to school   Why Kids2Market, her entrepreneurial program for kids helps them see that anything is possible   Her advice to parents that are just starting out on the self directing learning path Definitions If you are new to the podcast or the world of homeschooling or unschooling, here are a few definitions from this episode; Strewing In the Early Childhood world they use a similar term. An "Invitation to Learning". It is adding to or enriching your child's learning environment by scattering resources, items, books, materials to their space. Strewing invites or entices them to find out more. Resources Blake Boles ~College Without High School   My interview with Blake Boles http://imhomeschooling.com/self-directed-learning-blake-boles/   SMART goals https://www.smart-goals-guide.com/smart-goal.html   Kids2Market.com   Kids2Market podcast   If you would like to listen to more episodes about unschooling, check out my interview with Pam Laricchia http://imhomeschooling.com/hihtk-005-exploring-unschooling/ or Roya Dedeaux http://imhomeschooling.com/play-purpose-unschooling/   If you want to hear more about entrepreneurship and home education, you will love my interview with Jim Sheils http://imhomeschooling.com/episode-001-jim-sheils-how-one-entrepreneur-is-overturning-the-traditional-education-model/ Support the show through Patreon https://www.patreon.com/honeyimhomeschoolingthekidsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.