Stories of an Unschooling Family

This week, I'm sharing some big news: I've published a new unschooling book! In this episode, I tell you about The Unschool Challenge, share some family news and a couple of resources, and ponder lots of unschooling thoughts and ideas along the way.   Show Notes   My Unschooling Books The Unschool Challenge: Kindle The Unschool Challenge: paperback Curious Unschoolers: Kindle Curious Unschoolers: paperback Radical Unschool Love: Kindle Radical Unschool Love: paperback My Amazon Author Page   Where You Can Find Me Blog: Stories of an Unschooling Family Instagram: stories_ofan_unschoolingfamily Youtube: Sue Elvis   Things I Mention in This Episode   John Holt's Growing Without Schooling magazine   The Virtual Kitchen Table podcast Episode 5, Part 1: Kindness and Unconditional Love: What Do They Have to Do with Unschooling? Episode 5, Part 2: Kindness and Unconditional Love: What Do They Have to Do with Unschooling? Watch out for the Virtual Kitchen Table podcast about deschooling and The Unschool Challenge. It'll be available some time in the next few weeks. Why not subscribe to the podcast so you hear all about the latest episodes?   Art of Manliness podcast Jane Austen for Dudes

After a long break, I'm back!   In this episode, I read one of my stories called Clock Watching and comment on it. I share some news, including some about the future of my blog and podcast.  I mention a couple of resources that I hope you'll find interesting. And, along the way, I share loads of unschooling thoughts!   Show Notes   Things mentioned in this episode: Blog post: Clock Watching Podcast episode 178: Strewing Unschooling and Charlotte Mason  Blog post: Unschooling when Charlotte Mason Appeals to Our Hearts Book: The Blue Castle by LM Montgomery  Book: Fingers in the Sparkle Jar by Chris Packham Documentary: Aspergers and Me by Chris Packham   My Unschooling Books Curious Unschoolers: Kindle Curious Unschoolers: paperback Radical Unschool Love: Kindle Radical Unschool Love: paperback My Amazon Author Page   Where You Can Find Me Youtube: Sue Elvis Blog: Stories of an Unschooling Family Instagram: stories_ofan_unschoolingfamily   Thank you for listening to this episode!   Error: I received enormous bills for my blog hosting and podcast hosting. I didn't receive two bills for my podcast!    

I'm back! Are you surprised? I am! This week, I'm talking about: How lack of control makes us feel helpless. Do controlled kids feel helpless? Does control lead to mental health issues? If we want a society of responsible adults, do we need to listen to kids, give them freedom, and let them learn how to be responsible for themselves? Difficult times, friends, and our unschooling community How change can stretch us, and how we learn when we have an interest or a need Video gaming and what I've learnt since I became a video gamer My new children's novel, The Angels of Wallaby Way! Perfectionism, and the fear of criticism, and Marco Polo video messages The value of feedback, encouragement, and the most important people in our lives Show Notes Blog Post What I discovered When I Became a Video Gamer   My Unschooling Books Curious Unschoolers: Kindle Curious Unschoolers: paperback Radical Unschool Love: Kindle Radical Unschool Love: paperback The Angels of Wallaby Way: available very soon! My Amazon Author Page   Where You Can Find Me Unschooling Community including Unschool Plus and Marco Polo My Stories of an Unschooling Family community Youtube Sue Elvis Blogs Stories of an Unschooling Family Where the Carol Birds Sing   Thanks you for listening to this episode!  

This week, Imogen and I are discussing: The value of casual work and lower profile jobs How our kids can surprise us Jobs and passions Why we need to promote our work How to answer critics and critique other people’s work The importance of helping each other Jane Austen, Sanditon and Bridgerton Ageing And other things!   Show Notes   Things we mention in this episode This is Marketing: book by Seth Godin The Illustrated Man: book by Ray Bradbury Sanditon: miniseries adapted from Jane Austen's novel by Andrew Davies  Sanditon: unfinished Jane Austen novel Pride and Prejudice: 1995 miniseries adapted by Andrew Davies from Jane Austen's novel Bridgerton: miniseries Bridgerton: book by Julia Quinn   My Unschooling Books Curious Unschoolers: Kindle Curious Unschoolers: paperback Radical Unschool Love: Kindle Radical Unschool Love: paperback My Amazon Author Page   Where You Can Find Me Unschooling Community My Stories of an Unschooling Family community Youtube Sue Elvis Blogs Stories of an Unschooling Family Where the Carol Birds Sing Instagram sue_elvis   Where You Can Find Imogen Blog Write.Rewrite.Read Instagram write.rewrite.read Youtube Imogen Elvis Books The Crystal Tree The Shattering Song Frost Hands   Thank you for listening to this episode!    

This week, Imogen and I are talking about: High expectations and control. Do they result in unhappy children? Do controlled kids look for distractions? Does limiting screen time result in an increased attraction for devices? A novel that Imogen reviewed: Dear Hero Inspiration and different ways of telling a story How we can work together, share our skills, and help each other The Catholic Homeschool Conference (I'm a speaker!) News of two soon-to-be-produced unschooling podcasts   Show Notes Things we mentioned in this episode:   Indistractible by Nir Eyal Masterchef Australia 2021 Show Your Work by Austin Kleon Dear Hero by Hope Bolinger and Alyssa Roat Illuminae Files Book Series by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff The Catholic Homeschool Conference   My Unschooling Books Curious Unschoolers: Kindle Curious Unschoolers: paperback Radical Unschool Love: Kindle Radical Unschool Love: paperback My Amazon Author Page   Where You Can Find Me Unschooling Community My Stories of an Unschooling Family community Youtube Sue Elvis Blogs Stories of an Unschooling Family Where the Carol Birds Sing Instagram sue_elvis   Where You Can Find Imogen Blog Write.Rewrite.Read Instagram write.rewrite.read Youtube Imogen Elvis Books The Crystal Tree The Shattering Song Frost Hands   Thank you for listening to this episode!    

This week, Imogen and I have a lively conversation about: The highs and lows that affect our parenting, homeschooling and creative lives Criticism: why do we let other people's opinions affect what we do? Whose opinions should we listen to? Why we shouldn't let criticism stop us from using our talents Reviews: why we don't ask for many reviews Writing about things we have never experienced Paying it Forward: is free online stuff really free?  We're also discussing some books and movies. And we're telling stories about: how to remove a dead tree cockroaches how I might have made a difference to the lives of the world's dogs and many other things   Show Notes Things we mention in this episode:   Tamworth Botanic gardens and Marsupial Park Country Music Festival   Gunnedah Silo Art: Dorothea MacKellar and her poem, My Country Water Tower Art: The Long Tan Battle of the Vietnam War Silo Art at Barraba   Book Show Your Work: Ten Ways to Share Your Creativity and Get Discovered by Austin Kleon   Tin Tin comics and Netflix shows   Movies and Series The Greatest Showman Les Mis Oklahoma Hamilton The Crown The Chosen   My Unschooling Books Curious Unschoolers: Kindle Curious Unschoolers: paperback Radical Unschool Love: Kindle Radical Unschool Love: paperback My Amazon Author Page   Where You Can Find Me Unschooling Community My Stories of an Unschooling Family community Youtube Sue Elvis Blogs Stories of an Unschooling Family Where the Carol Birds Sing Instagram sue_elvis   Where You Can Find Imogen Blog Write.Rewrite.Read Instagram write.rewrite.read Youtube Imogen Elvis Books The Crystal Tree The Shattering Song Frost Hands   Thank you for listening to this episode!    

This week, Imogen and I are discussing: Social media and video games: can we break the hooks that pull us in? Books: is it okay to use someone else’s ideas and create something of our own? In particular, we’re talking about the documentary, The Social Dilemma, and the books, Dust by Kara Swanson and The Drover’s Wife by Leah Purcell. We’re also telling a few family stories.   Show Notes Things we mention in this episode: Indistractible and Hooked by Nir Eyal The Social Dilemma on Netflix Dust by Kara Swanson The Drover’s Wife by Leah Purcell Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie Henry Lawson: poems and short stories Bleak House and Little Dorritt by Charles Dickens How to Train Your Dragon: movie and book The Princess Bride: movie and book The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells Jeff Wayne’s musical, The War of the Worlds   My Unschooling Books Curious Unschoolers: Kindle Curious Unschoolers: paperback Radical Unschool Love: Kindle Radical Unschool Love: paperback My Amazon Author Page   Where You Can Find Me Unschooling Community My Stories of an Unschooling Family community Youtube Sue Elvis Blogs Stories of an Unschooling Family Where the Carol Birds Sing Instagram sue_elvis   Where You Can Find Imogen Blog Write.Rewrite.Read Instagram write.rewrite.read Youtube Imogen Elvis Books The Crystal Tree The Shattering Song Frost Hands   Thank you for listening to this episode!  

This week, as the rain continues to fall, I'm telling a few stories:   Wondering Weather I Should Iron The Elvis Connection Me? I'm Elvis' Wife Why I'm Wearing Stiff Undies   Show Notes   My Unschooling Books Curious Unschoolers: Kindle Curious Unschoolers: paperback Radical Unschool Love: Kindle Radical Unschool Love: paperback My Amazon Author Page   Where You Can Find Me Unschooling Community My Stories of an Unschooling Family community Youtube Sue Elvis Blogs Stories of an Unschooling Family Where the Carol Birds Sing Instagram sue_elvis   Thank you for listening to this episode!  

This week, my daughter Imogen is back, and we're talking about: Writing: the definition of a story, what to write about, how we use our own experiences in stories. Superhero movies: the big ideas contained in seemingly trivial stories Behind-the scenes documentaries. Rock climbing and glass blowing: creativity, and the lengths (or heights!) some people will go to follow their passions. We’re also telling lots of stories.   Show Notes Things we mention in this episode: Camp NaNoWriMo The A-Z blogging challenge   Masterclass: Neil Gaiman and his writing class Margaret Atwood and her writing class   WandaVision The Making of Wandavision Captain America: Civil War   Solo Free on Amazon Prime The Dawn Face on Netflix   Blown Away on Netflix   My Unschooling Books Curious Unschoolers: Kindle Curious Unschoolers: paperback Radical Unschool Love: Kindle Radical Unschool Love: paperback My Amazon Author Page   Where You Can Find Me Unschooling Community My Stories of an Unschooling Family community Youtube Sue Elvis Blogs Stories of an Unschooling Family Where the Carol Birds Sing Instagram sue_elvis   Where You Can Find Imogen Blog Write.Rewrite.Read Instagram write.rewrite.read Youtube Imogen Elvis   Thank you for listening to this episode!  

This week, in this solo podcast episode, I'm sharing and discussing a few adventurous stories: Unschooling: Haircut Courage Younger Unschoolers: Spur-of-the-Moment Adventures Enjoying an Unexpected Little Adventure   Show Notes   My Unschooling Books Curious Unschoolers: Kindle Curious Unschoolers: paperback Radical Unschool Love: Kindle Radical Unschool Love: paperback My Amazon Author Page   Where You Can Find Me Unschooling Community My Stories of an Unschooling Family community Youtube Sue Elvis Blogs Stories of an Unschooling Family Where the Carol Birds Sing Instagram sue_elvis   Photo Me and my daughter Charlotte Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider sharing the link so that we can spread the word about unschooling!    

After a 4-month break, my daughter Imogen and I are back! And we're chatting about: Finishing novels and beta reading My 19-year-old daughter Sophie and 'graduate' unschoolers Bushfires and exploding trees How our generous members saved our unschooling community Vlogging The TV shows we've been watching The Masterclass classes we've been enjoying We’re also discussing the question: is it okay to expose our kids to 'unsuitable' movies and books?   Show Notes   Things We Mention Masterclass website Matthew Walker on Masterclass Neil Gaiman's books including Coraline and The Graveyard Book Coraline the movie WandaVision on Disney Plus The Truth Seekers on Amazon Prime   My Unschooling Books Curious Unschoolers: Kindle Curious Unschoolers: paperback Radical Unschool Love: Kindle Radical Unschool Love: paperback My Amazon Author Page   Where You Can Find Me My Stories of an Unschooling Family community Youtube Sue Elvis Blogs Stories of an Unschooling Family Where the Carol Birds Sing Instagram sue_elvis   Where You Can Find Imogen Blog Write.Rewrite.Read Instagram write.rewrite.read Youtube Imogen Elvis   Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider sharing the link so that we can spread the word about unschooling!   Please feel welcome to visit my blog Stories of an Unschooling Family or Instagram to leave a comment. Perhaps you'd like to join our unschooling community?   Imogen and I would love to hear some feedback about our conversation! Photo: Imogen took me out for a special celebratory breakfast. I've finished my children's novel!      

My daughter Imogen and I are discussing play, writing, books, Martians, and exercise. This episode is jam-packed full of stories, unschooling thoughts and resources.Episode Contents0:00-01:56 Intro01:56-07:53 Excitement 07:53-10:51 Writing10:51-18:08 Music18:08-30:15 Kids’ Play30:15-42:10 Adults’ Play42:10-59:18 A Space Phase59:18-01:03:31 A Novel and Priest Holes01:03:31-01:07:11 Exercise01:07:11-01:13:51 A Risqué Story01:13:51-01:17:01 Listener Questions 01:17:01-01:21:38 End Stuff Show Notes  WritingNaNoWriMo MusicMusescoreGarageband PlayBlog Post: Doing What Kids Ought to Do A Space PhaseThe War of the Worlds book by H.G. WellsJeff Wayne's The War of the WorldsThe Martian bookThe Martian movieSpace Odyssey: Voyage to the Planets ExerciseLeslie Sansone's Walk at Home BooksThe Clockmaker's Daughter by Kate MortonImogen's new novel : Frost Notes My Unschooling BooksCurious Unschoolers: KindleCurious Unschoolers: paperbackRadical Unschool Love: KindleRadical Unschool Love: paperbackMy Amazon Author Page Where You Can Find MeMy Stories of an Unschooling Family communityYoutubeSue ElvisBlogsStories of an Unschooling FamilyWhere the Carol Birds SingInstagramstories_ofan_unschoolingfamily Where You Can Find ImogenBlogWrite.Rewrite.ReadInstagramwrite.rewrite.readYoutubeImogen Elvis Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider sharing the link so that we can spread the word about unschooling!Please feel welcome to visit my blog Stories of an Unschooling Family or Instagram to leave a comment. Perhaps you have a question for Imogen? We'd love to hear some feedback about our conversation! 

My daughter Imogen and I are sharing some unschooling thoughts while we talk about what we’ve been working on, what we’ve been reading and watching, and what’s making us feel excited. 0:00 Intro 00:58 Introducing Imogen 01:47 Returning to Podcasting 05:50 Frost Hands and Writing 14:34 Writing Novels and Unschooling Books 21:57 The Inconvenience of Losing Our Videographer  32:14 Excited About Exercise 41:59 Escaping into a Novel 48:55 Rereading Retold Fairy Tales 53:52 Masterchef and Kids’ Happiness 01:01:29 The Masked Singer and Twonk 01:08:50 End Things   Show Notes   Imogen's new novel Frost Notes   Podcasts about NaNoWriMo Episode 153: More Unschool Writing Ideas and Resources Episode 140: Difficult Things   Imogen's Music Youtube Channel Imogen Elvis   Websites Skillshare Walk at Home   Books The Lake House by Kate Morton The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer   Blog Post Why We Need to Support Our Kids' Choices   Video My 2020 Global Homeschooling Summit interview video   My Unschooling Books Curious Unschoolers: Kindle Curious Unschoolers: paperback Radical Unschool Love: Kindle Radical Unschool Love: paperback My Amazon Author Page   Where You Can Find Me My Stories of an Unschooling Family community Youtube Sue Elvis Blogs Stories of an Unschooling Family Where the Carol Birds Sing Instagram stories_ofan_unschoolingfamily   Where You Can Find Imogen Blog Write.Rewrite.Read Instagram write.rewrite.read   Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider sharing the link so that we can spread the word about unschooling!   Please feel welcome to visit my blog Stories of an Unschooling Family to leave a comment!  

This week, I'm sharing and discussing two stories about strewing:   Time For Some Strewing   Unschooling When Charlotte Mason Also Appeals to Our Hearts   I'm also talking about overwhelming times, how we don't have to be perfect, and looking for the delights in our days.   Show Notes   A Blog Post Unschooling When Charlotte Mason Also Appeals to Our Hearts   Podcasts Episode 151: All About Strewing Episode 30: Why Classical Music Is Not Enough   A Book The Book of Delights by Ross Gay   My Unschooling Books Curious Unschoolers: Kindle Curious Unschoolers: paperback Radical Unschool Love: Kindle Radical Unschool Love: paperback My Amazon Author Page     Where You Can Find Me My Stories of an Unschooling Family community Youtube Sue Elvis Blogs Stories of an Unschooling Family Where the Carol Birds Sing   Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider sharing the link so that we can spread the word about unschooling!   Please feel welcome to visit my blog Stories of an Unschooling Family to leave a comment!  

This week, I'm talking about encouragement. I have two encouragement stories to share with you which I'm hoping you haven't heard before. But if you are familiar with them, will you think, "Sue is getting repetitive"? Will you consider giving my podcast a negative review? I hope not. Instead, maybe you'll offer some feedback.  Do you have any ideas for future episodes of this podcast? What would you like to hear about? Most of my kids are grown up, so often I don't have any current unschooling news to share with you, (unless, of course, you're interested in hearing about my unschool learning). Over the years, I have explored a lot of unschooling topics multiple times, and sometimes it seems like I have said everything possible. Could it be time to pack up my mic? Move on and do something else? I'd love to hear your thoughts. I know they will be kind and encouraging!    Episode Details 0:00 intro 1:53 discouraging words and negative podcast reviews 3:46 Crushed by a Label 11:11 story comments 13:07 Encouraging Each Other to Do Difficult Things  16:08 How I Became a Runner 24:46 what I learnt from my running adventure  33:01 other encouraging stories  33:53 I’d love to hear your thoughts! 34:42 Summit interviews worth watching  38:17 unschooling: something worth hearing about  38:55 an encouraging unschooling community  39:48 thank you for listening!   Show Notes Blog Post Encouraging Each Other to Do Difficult Things    The Homeschooling Global Summit The Homeschooling Global Summit My 2020 Summit interview   My Unschooling Books Curious Unschoolers: Kindle Curious Unschoolers: paperback Radical Unschool Love: Kindle Radical Unschool Love: paperback My Amazon Author Page     Where You Can Find Me My Stories of an Unschooling Family community Youtube Sue Elvis Blogs Stories of an Unschooling Family Where the Carol Birds Sing   Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider sharing the link so that we can spread the word about unschooling. A quick encouraging review or rating would help too! Please feel welcome to visit my blog Stories of an Unschooling Family to leave a comment.  I hope to see you inside my unschooling community. And if you haven't already seen it, perhaps you'd like to check out my Homeschooling Global Summit interview!    

This week, I'm talking about how children learn: 0:00 intro 1:30 News: Podcast chapters 2:55 My Homeschooling Global Summit interview 7:25 Unschooling alone: things I’ve been doing and learning about 15:18 Is It Really Okay if Kids Play All Day? 25:53 Comments about the story 30:30 How Ticking Off Boxes Can Be a Waste of Time 35:45 Comments about the story 43:48 Looking ahead and other end things    Show Notes   Blog Post How Ticking Off Boxes Can Be a Waste of Time   Video What's in Your Strewing Basket?   The Homeschooling Global Summit The Homeschooling Global Summit Our 2019 Homeschooling Global Summit Interviews   My Unschooling Books Curious Unschoolers: Kindle Curious Unschoolers: paperback Radical Unschool Love: Kindle Radical Unschool Love: paperback My Amazon Author Page   Other Things I Mentioned Powtoon Adobe Indesign Adobe Font Packs Skillshare   Where You Can Find Me My Stories of an Unschooling Family community Email Me Youtube Sue Elvis Blogs Stories of an Unschooling Family Where the Carol Birds Sing   Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider sharing the link so that we can spread the word about unschooling. A quick review or rating would help too! Please feel welcome to visit my blog Stories of an Unschooling Family to leave a comment.  I hope to see you inside my unschooling community. And perhaps you'd like to watch my Homeschooling Global Summit interview!    

This week, I'm talking about starting unschooling and exciting things: 0.00 Intro 0:53 My First Unschooling Zoom Meeting 11:07 A New Podcast Series  19:20 Time to Unschool  32.25 There Has Never Been a Better Time to Start Unschooling  44:10 End Things   Show Notes   Blog Post There Has Never Been a Better Time to Start Unschooling   The Homeschooling Global Summit The Homeschooling Global Summit Our 2019 Homeschooling Global Summit Interviews   My Unschooling Books Curious Unschoolers: Kindle Curious Unschoolers: paperback Radical Unschool Love: Kindle Radical Unschool Love: paperback My Amazon Author Page   Pat Flynn's website: Smart Passive Income   Where You Can Find Me My Stories of an Unschooling Family community Email Me Youtube Sue Elvis Blogs Stories of an Unschooling Family Where the Carol Birds Sing   Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider sharing the link so that we can spread the word about unschooling. A quick review or rating would help too! Please feel welcome to visit my blog Stories of an Unschooling Family to leave a comment.  I hope to see you inside my unschooling community. Perhaps you'd like to join me for our next Zoom meetup!    

This week, I'm talking about love again! 00:00 Intro 00:48 Is Anyone Listening? 02:07 My Homeschooling Global Summit Interview 09:46 Unschooling Zoom Meetups  13:32 Video Plans 14:56 Radical Unschool Love Discussion  15:54 Two Love Stories 16:15 Following Our Mothering Instincts  24:30 Reject What Doesn’t Feel Right and Just Love 33:25 End Stuff   Show Notes Blog Post Reject What Doesn't Feel Right and Just Love   The Homeschooling Global Summit The Homeschooling Global Summit Our 2019 Homeschooling Global Summit Interviews   My Unschooling Books Curious Unschoolers: Kindle Curious Unschoolers: paperback Radical Unschool Love: Kindle Radical Unschool Love: paperback My Amazon Author Page   Where You Can Find Me My Stories of an Unschooling Family community Email Me Youtube Sue Elvis Blogs Stories of an Unschooling Family Where the Carol Birds Sing   Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider sharing the link so that we can spread the word about unschooling. A quick review or rating would help too! Please feel welcome to visit my blog Stories of an Unschooling Family to leave a comment.  I hope to see you inside my unschooling community. Perhaps you'd like to join our book club!  

This week, I'm talking about: 00:00 Intro 01:05 Casual Work and Gemma-Rose  06:22 Unschooling Community  07:11 Unschooling Challenges  09:28 Resources, Links, Questions, Photos 10:57 Book Club Discussion Group 12:14 Nothing Is More Important than Love 17:38 Children’s Book Club  20:02 Homeschooling Global Summit  25:09 A-Z Unschooling Stories  28:21 Clock Watching 35:33 Impressing Other People  43:10 End Stuff   Show Notes   Blog posts Clock Watching Impressing Other People   The Homeschooling Global Summit   My Unschooling Books Curious Unschoolers: Kindle Curious Unschoolers: paperback Radical Unschool Love: Kindle Radical Unschool Love: paperback My Amazon Author Page   Where You Can Find Me My Stories of an Unschooling Family community Email Me Youtube Sue Elvis Blogs Stories of an Unschooling Family Where the Carol Birds Sing   Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider sharing the link so that we can spread the word about unschooling. A quick review or rating would help too! Please feel welcome to visit my blog Stories of an Unschooling Family to leave a comment.  I hope to see you inside my unschooling community. Perhaps you'd like to join our book club!    

This week, I'm talking about: The unschooling things I've recently been doing. Our new book club and how we're about to begin discussing my book, Radical Unschool Love. How we can feel helpless when we lose our freedom. How kids might feel if we're too afraid to let go of control. My new blog, Where the Carol Birds Sing   I'm sharing a few stories from my new blog: Battle Daylight Saving Look   And I'm sharing a story from Radical Unschool Love: Perfectly Them   Show Notes   Blog posts The Problem With Being Too Nice Where the Carol Birds Sing Battle Daylight Saving Look   My Unschooling Books Curious Unschoolers: Kindle Curious Unschoolers: paperback Radical Unschool Love: Kindle Radical Unschool Love: paperback My Amazon Author Page   Where You Can Find Me My Stories of an Unschooling Family community Email Me Youtube Sue Elvis Blogs Stories of an Unschooling Family Where the Carol Birds Sing   Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider sharing the link so that we can spread the word about unschooling. A quick review or rating would help too! Please feel welcome to visit my blog Stories of an Unschooling Family to leave a comment.  I hope to see you inside my unschooling community. Perhaps you'd like to join our book club!    

This week, I'm talking about the problem with being too nice. Is it okay to be honest about how we're feeling? Should we avoid comparing ourselves with other people? I'm also talking about the A-Z blogging challenge. And I'm sharing one of my old challenge stories, the Y story: You Come to Visit   Show Notes   Blog Post The Problem With Being Too Nice   Writing Challenge The A-Z Blogging Challenge   My Unschooling Books Curious Unschoolers: Kindle Curious Unschoolers: paperback Radical Unschool Love: Kindle Radical Unschool Love: paperback My Amazon Author Page   Where You Can Find Me My Stories of an Unschooling Family community Email Me Youtube Sue Elvis Blog Stories of an Unschooling Family   Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider sharing the link so that we can spread the word about unschooling. A quick review or rating would help too! Please feel welcome to visit my blog Stories of an Unschooling Family to leave a comment.  I hope to see you inside my unschooling community!    

I have two free offers so please listen ASAP! This week: I'm talking about learning during difficult times. I tell you how you can get a free copy of my book, Curious Unschoolers (limited time only!). I share a free unschooling community membership offer. I'm telling two stories from my book, Curious Unschoolers: How to Get Kids to Do Their School Work What Do Children Need to Learn? And I'm sharing a few Chuck Norris jokes because laughing helps us get through difficult times, doesn't it?   Show Notes   My Unschooling Books Curious Unschoolers: Kindle Curious Unschoolers: paperback Radical Unschool Love: Kindle Radical Unschool Love: paperback My Amazon Author Page   Where You Can Find Me My Stories of an Unschooling Family community Email Me Youtube Sue Elvis Blog Stories of an Unschooling Family   Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider sharing the link so that we can spread the word about unschooling. A quick review or rating would help too! Please feel welcome to visit my blog Stories of an Unschooling Family to leave a comment.  I hope to see you inside my unschooling community. And please don't forget to pass on the word about my book!    

This week, I'm sharing some unschool English and Maths stories from my Stories of an Unschooling Family Community: Unschooling Jane Austen Collecting Delicious Words Real Life Toilet Roll Maths I'm also sharing a Moment from My Day story And I'm asking, "Is my unschooling community the perfect fit for you?" If you're not sure, listen to this episode for more details!   Show Notes   My Unschooling Books Curious Unschoolers: Kindle Curious Unschoolers: paperback Radical Unschool Love: Kindle Radical Unschool Love: paperback My Amazon Author Page   Where You Can Find Me Email Me:  Youtube Sue Elvis Blog Stories of an Unschooling Family   Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider sharing the link so that we can spread the word about unschooling. A quick review or rating would help too! Please feel welcome to visit my blog Stories of an Unschooling Family to leave a comment.  I hope to see you inside my unschooling community!  

This week, I'm talking about unschooling ideas: Should we encourage our kids' ideas even if they don't sound practical? Are our ideas important? Is it okay if our ideas fail? What is my latest BIG idea? Will the readers of my unschooling books join my community? What will my community offer?   I'm also telling three stories: The Curious Unschoolers Book Club Is Now Open! Encouraging Kids' Ideas Why Sophie Is Glad I Am Her Mother and Other Dusty Week Stories   And I have some resources to share.   Show Notes   My Unschooling Books Curious Unschoolers: Kindle Curious Unschoolers: paperback Radical Unschool Love: Kindle Radical Unschool Love: paperback My Amazon Author Page   Where You Can Find Me Email Me:  Youtube Sue Elvis  Instagram stories_ofan_unschoolingfamily Blog Stories of an Unschooling Family   Resources The Burnt Stick Codecademy Bind a Book-Make a Journal Pinterest board Secrets of the Castle   Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider sharing the link so that we can spread the word about unschooling. A quick review or rating would help too! Please feel welcome to visit my blog Stories of an Unschooling Family to leave a comment.  I hope you will consider leaving some feedback about my BIG idea that I can share with listeners in next week's episode!      

  This week, I'm sharing some feedback about episode 166. I'm telling four unschool writing stories:  What About Grammar and Punctuation? Learning About Punctuation the Lewis Carroll Way Wanting to Know How to Spell The Writing Game: No Shortage of Writing Ideas I'm also discussing each story. I have some resources to share. And I'm talking about podcast chapters.   Show Notes My Unschooling Books Curious Unschoolers: Kindle Curious Unschoolers: paperback Radical Unschool Love: Kindle Radical Unschool Love: paperback My Amazon Author Page   Imogen's novels The Crystal Tree The Shattering Song   Blog Posts What About Grammar and Punctuation? Learning About Punctuation the Lewis Carroll Way Wanting to Learn How to Spell The Writing Game: No Shortage of Writing Ideas   Podcasts Our Writing Unrules for Unschoolers More Unschool Writing Ideas and Resources   Resources Grammarly Capitalize My Title   Where You Can Find Me Youtube Sue Elvis  Instagram stories_ofan_unschoolingfamily Blog Stories of an Unschooling Family   Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider sharing the link so that we can spread the word about unschooling. A quick review or rating would help too! Please feel welcome to visit my blog Stories of an Unschooling Family to leave a comment.  I hope you will consider leaving some feedback that I can share with listeners in next week's episode!    

This week: I'm telling you where I've been for the last 3 months. I'm sharing a new podcast format idea. I'm talking about podcast chapters. I'm asking for some feedback. I'm reading 3 unschooling stories that are tagged history and geography (and also English and unschooling). I'm commenting on my stories. I’m sharing some resources.   Show Notes   My Unschooling Books Curious Unschoolers: Kindle Curious Unschoolers: paperback Radical Unschool Love: Kindle Radical Unschool Love: paperback My Amazon Author Page   Blog posts Unschooling Sausages How Light Can Turn into Deep and Serious Watching History as it Happened The Writing Game   Resources Tudor Monastery Farm  Wartime Farm Edwardian Farm Victorian Farm The Hollow Crown Richard III: The King in the Carpark The Crown Space Odyssey: Voyage to the Planets   Where You Can Find Me Youtube Sue Elvis  Instagram stories_ofan_unschoolingfamily Blog Stories of an Unschooling Family   Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider sharing the link so that we can spread the word about unschooling. A quick review or rating would help too! Please feel welcome to visit my blog Stories of an Unschooling Family to leave a comment about this episode.  I hope you will consider leaving some feedback that I can share with listeners in next week's episode!      

This week, I'm sharing a few stories from my book, Radical Unschool Love: A Teenager’s Thoughts Learning Right from Wrong Developing a Sense of Right and Wrong Can We Be Both Parent and Friend? One-on-One Times I'm also sharing a blog post called Radical Unschooling: Something Beautiful   Show Notes   My Unschooling Books Curious Unschoolers: Kindle Curious Unschoolers: paperback Radical Unschool Love: Kindle Radical Unschool Love: paperback My Amazon Author Page   Blog post Radical Unschooling: Something Beautiful   Unschoolgram   Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider sharing the link so that we can spread the word about unschooling. A quick review or rating would help too! Please feel welcome to visit my blog Stories of an Unschooling Family to leave a comment about this episode.  Or you could just stop by and say hello!    

This week, I'm talking about: How I'm feeling discouraged The need to feel successful A negative comment about technology and screentime Letting go and moving on I also share a story from my book, Radical Unschool Love, called The Beginning and End of Praise.  Is it okay to praise our kids? Could praise be necessary, not only for our children but for us as well?   Show Notes   My Unschooling Books Curious Unschoolers: Kindle Curious Unschoolers: paperback Radical Unschool Love: Kindle Radical Unschool Love: paperback My Amazon Author Page   Blog posts A Gradual Approach to Unschooling Is it Really Okay to Give Unschooling Kids Unlimited Access to Screens and the Internet?   Podcast Episode 162: Asking for Help    Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider sharing the link so that we can spread the word about unschooling. A quick review or rating would help too! Please feel welcome to visit my blog Stories of an Unschooling Family to leave a comment about this episode.  Or you could just stop by and say hello!    

This week, I'm talking about: how time moves so fast. making the most of our time with our kids. not being anxious but trusting our kids will get to where they are meant to go. how we have to let go of each stage of our lives. our son Thomas and grief and birthday traditions. I'm sharing two stories Time and Trust (from my book Radical Unschool Love) Letting Go of Another of Thomas' Places I tried a new podcasting recording setup for this episode. Please ignore any imperfections. Yes, there are a few skipped words and a bit of breathy breathing and other strange noises, but I hope this recording is good enough to listen to. (How did Darth Vader get into my podcast?!) When I learn how to use Adobe Audition better, my podcasts will sound better!   Show Notes   My Unschooling Books Curious Unschoolers: Kindle Curious Unschoolers: paperback Radical Unschool Love: Kindle Radical Unschool Love: paperback My Amazon Author Page   Blog posts How Did a Man Get into My Podcast? Letting Go of Another of Thomas' Places   Podcast Beginning and Endings and a Simple Christmas    Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider sharing the link so that we can spread the word about unschooling. A quick review or rating would help too! Please feel welcome to visit my blog Stories of an Unschooling Family to leave a comment about this episode.  Or you could just stop by and say hello!  

After a break, I'm back with a new episode!   This week, I'm discussing the following questions: Where have I been? Why did I record 3 versions of episode 162? Can crisis points become turning points? What changes am I making? Do most of us think we can do everything all by ourselves? Do we need social media to spread the message about our work? Do we need more silence in our lives? Are you willing to help me?   I'm also sharing two stories: When We Reach Crisis Point (from my blog) Sue Elvis: An Interview (from my book Radical Unschool Love)   Show Notes   My Unschooling Books Curious Unschoolers: Kindle Curious Unschoolers: paperback Radical Unschool Love: Kindle Radical Unschool Love: paperback My Amazon Author Page   Blog posts When We Reach Crisis Point Time to Unschool   Book The Power of Silence by Cardinal Robert Sarah   Unschoolgram Unschoolgram menu Unschoolgram: 2019 October and September (Do you ever yearn for more silence in your life?)   Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider sharing the link so that we can spread the word about unschooling. A quick review or rating would help too! Please feel welcome to visit my blog Stories of an Unschooling Family to leave a comment about this episode. Perhaps you have a crisis point story you'd like to share. You could give me some feedback on my podcast ideas. Or you could just stop by and say hello!  

This week, I'm sharing another story about younger unschoolers. It's called Giving a Child Unasked-For Help. I'm also chatting about last week's unschooling meeting in Canberra where Imogen, Sophie and I spoke about unschooling. I discuss the following questions: Does unschooling work? Can registered homeschoolers unschool? I talk about support groups, having confidence, adopting a positive attitude towards homeschool registration and lots of other things!   Show Notes   My Unschooling Books Curious Unschoolers: Kindle Curious Unschoolers: paperback Radical Unschool Love: Kindle Radical Unschool Love: paperback My Amazon Author Page   Blog Posts Giving a Child Unasked-For Help Posts About Registration and Homeschool Record-Keeping How Choosing a Different Path Can Cause Conflict   The Curious Unschoolers Book Club The Curious Unschoolers Book Club Is Now Open! The Book Club Link   Where You Can Find Me Youtube Sue Elvis  Instagram stories_ofan_unschoolingfamily Blog Stories of an Unschooling Family   Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider sharing the link so that we can spread the word about unschooling. A quick review or rating would help too! Please feel welcome to visit my blog Stories of an Unschooling Family to leave a comment about this episode. And please join me on Instagram!

This week's episode is for my Christian unschooling friends. I'm exploring the question: can Christians unschool? I share some quick (and maybe muddled!) thoughts on such things as trust, freedom, unconditional love, passions and interests, respect, families, our missions in life, and forgiveness from a Christian unschooling perspective. I didn't aim for a perfect podcast covering all aspects of Christian unschooling. Instead, I just wanted to share a few thoughts that might open up some conversations. I'm also sharing an adventurous mother story from one of my children's novels.   Show Notes   My Unschooling Books Curious Unschoolers: Kindle Curious Unschoolers: paperback Radical Unschool Love: Kindle Radical Unschool Love: paperback My Amazon Author Page   My Children's Novels The Angels of Abbey Creek The Angels of Gum Tree Road   Blog Post  Bringing God into the Unschooling Picture   The Curious Unschoolers Book Club The Curious Unschoolers Book Club Is Now Open! The Book Club Link   Where You Can Find Me Youtube Sue Elvis  Instagram stories_ofan_unschoolingfamily Blog Stories of an Unschooling Family   Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider sharing the link so that we can spread the word about unschooling. A quick review or rating would help too! Please feel welcome to visit my blog Stories of an Unschooling Family to leave a comment about this episode. Are you interested in talking more about Christian unschooling? Join us in the Curious Unschoolers Book Club. And please join me on Instagram!

This week, I'm talking about how we can make the most of waiting times by filling them with adventures. I'm also discussing: Perfection and how it stops us from doing important and enjoyable things. How we can be adventurous parents. My vlogging plans. How life and our typical unschooling days change as our kids get older and their needs and interests change. How we don't need to set assignments for our kids after they've enjoyed an adventure. The Curious Unschoolers Book Club My Baby Loss Club website. I'm also sharing two stories of when my kids were younger: An Adventure Hiding in Every Moment The Photography Girls Head into the Bush   Show Notes   My Unschooling Books Curious Unschoolers: Kindle Curious Unschoolers: paperback Radical Unschool Love: Kindle Radical Unschool Love: paperback My Amazon Author Page   Blog Posts  An Adventure Hiding in Every Moment The Photography Girls Head into the Bush The Bush Walk   Podcast Episode 2: Mistakes, a Teenager's Love of Learning, and Loose Change   The Curious Unschoolers Book Club The Curious Unschoolers Book Club Is Now Open! The Book Club Link   Where You Can Find Me Youtube Sue Elvis  Instagram stories_ofan_unschoolingfamily Blog Stories of an Unschooling Family   Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider sharing the link so that we can spread the word about unschooling. A quick review or rating would help too! Please feel welcome to visit my blog Stories of an Unschooling Family to leave a comment about this episode. Share your waiting time adventures! Join us in the Curious Unschoolers Book Club. And please join me on Instagram!    

This week, I'm sharing some old stories and some new ones, as well as some news. I talk about: When my kids were younger by sharing a snow story and a homeschooling camp story. How my ideas about how kids learn have changed. How Gemma-Rose (15) has been enriching her own life. Our family passion for musicals. How our kids can come alive when they are involved with their passions and using their talents. How young kids can join in with things we might think are too advanced for them. My new Curious Unschoolers Book Club. How Imogen, Sophie and I are travelling to Canberra on 31st August to meet up with other unschoolers.   Show Notes My Unschooling Books Curious Unschoolers: Kindle Curious Unschoolers: paperback Radical Unschool Love: Kindle Radical Unschool Love: paperback My Amazon Author Page   Blog Posts   I Am a Pirate King! When Unschooled Kids Charge Off on Their Own Learning Adventures (includes links to mentioned musicals)   The Curious Unschoolers Book Club The Curious Unschoolers Book Club Is Now Open! The Book Club Link   Books by Father James Tierney The Bush Boys books   Where You Can Find Me Youtube Sue Elvis  Instagram stories_ofan_unschoolingfamily Blog Stories of an Unschooling Family   Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider sharing the link so that we can spread the word about unschooling. A quick review or rating would help too! Please feel welcome to visit my blog Stories of an Unschooling Family to leave a comment about this episode. Join us in the Curious Unschoolers Book Club. And please join me on Instagram!

This week, I'm discussing the following questions: Do things sometimes seem like they'll never change? Is 'grinned' a fabulous word? Do we notice and worry about things that relate to ourselves that others don't notice? Do our fears for our kids get in the way of encouraging them to do the things they enjoy? Can our fears deprive our kids of joy? Is failing really a big deal? What's my latest unschooling book idea? Where are we going when we take unschooling on the road? Does encouragement work both ways?   I'm also sharing the story Fearing Our Kids Will Fail from my book Curious Unschoolers.   Show Notes   My Unschooling Books Curious Unschoolers: Kindle Curious Unschoolers: paperback Radical Unschool Love: Kindle Radical Unschool Love: paperback My Amazon Author Page   Podcast Episode 140: Difficult Things   Youtube Sue Elvis   Instagram stories_ofan_unschoolingfamily   Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider sharing the link so that we can spread the word about unschooling. A quick review or rating would help too! Please feel welcome to visit my blog Stories of an Unschooling Family to leave a comment about this episode. You could let me know what you think about my new unschooling book idea. Maybe you have a fear of failing story of your own to share.  And please join me on Instagram!  

This week, I'm sharing 3 stories about my young adult son Callum (who likes to grin!): How I Removed an Engine from a Car Engines, Muscles and Spending Time with Dad My Fridge Adventure I talk about building strong relationships with our kids by: Taking an interest in their passions. Spending time with them. Being daring and adventurous parents who like to have fun. As well, I talk about: Self-directed learning. Being honest. I also share a couple of reviews for my books Curious Unschoolers and Radical Unschool Love.   Show Notes   My Unschooling Books Curious Unschoolers: Kindle Curious Unschoolers: paperback Radical Unschool Love: Kindle Radical Unschool Love: paperback   Youtube Sue Elvis   Instagram stories_ofan_unschoolingfamily   Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider sharing the link so that we can spread the word about unschooling. A quick review or rating would help too! Please feel welcome to visit my blog Stories of an Unschooling Family to leave a comment about this episode. (You could tell me how many times I said the word 'grin' in this episode!) And please join me on Instagram!  

This week, I'm sharing and discussing the story, Another Way of Looking at Our Kids' Learning.  I talk about my teenager's morning: What Gemma-Rose did How I could record that learning in terms of school subjects And how I could think about her learning in another way I also talk about the importance of play for both children and adults. And I share a couple of podcast reviews that I was thrilled to receive. A big thank you to The Simple living Mom and Home Ed Fam!!       Show Notes   Blog Post  Another Way of Looking at Our Kids' Learning   My Unschooling Books Curious Unschoolers: Kindle Curious Unschoolers: paperback Radical Unschool Love: Kindle Radical Unschool Love: paperback   Youtube Sue Elvis   Instagram stories_ofan_unschoolingfamily   Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider sharing the link so that we can spread the word about unschooling. A quick review or rating would help too! Please feel welcome to visit my blog Stories of an Unschooling Family to leave a comment about this episode. You could just stop by and say hello. And please join me on Instagram!

This week, I'm sharing some of the stories from my recently published unschooling book, Radical Unschool Love: Radical Unschool Love The Next Instalment of the Unschooling Story Not as Wild as it Sounds Unconditional Love An Active Approach to Radical Unschooling How Radical Unschooling Might Not Look Radical What if We Have Differing Beliefs and Opinions? I also have some odds and ends of news to share!   Show Notes   My Unschooling Books Curious Unschoolers: Kindle Curious Unschoolers: paperback Radical Unschool Love: Kindle Radical Unschool Love: paperback   Youtube Sue Elvis   Instagram stories_ofan_unschoolingfamily   The Global Homeschooling Summit   Unschooling books by Suzie Andres Homeschooling with Gentleness A Little Way of Homeschooling   Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider sharing the link so that we can spread the word about unschooling. A quick review or rating would help too! Please feel welcome to visit my blog Stories of an Unschooling Family to leave a comment about this episode. Or you could just stop by and say hello. And please join me on Instagram!

My author daughter Imogen joins me for a bumper episode about unschool writing. In episode 148, we talked about how unschooling children learn to write. This week, we continue the unschool writing discussion by answering a couple of listener questions and then sharing some ideas and resources for anyone, young child to adult, who wants to improve their writing skills. We also talk about: The Global Homeschooling Summit and give a taste of Imogen and Sophie's interview. My soon-to-be-published unschooling book Radical Unschool Love. My daughter Charlotte's new design project: her Red Bubble shops.   Show Notes   Go Teen Writers Go Teen Writers blog Go Teen Writers book: How to Turn Your First Draft into a Published Book Go Teen Writers Facebook Group   NaNoWriMo NaNoWriMo Camp NaNoWriMo NaNoWriMo Young Writers Program   Blogging Blogger Wordpress   Books Plot and Structure: Techniques and Exercise for Crafting a Plot That Grips Readers from Start to Finish by James Scott Bell Revision and Self-Editing (Write Great Fiction) by James Scott Bell   Bird by Bird: Some Instruction on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King   Podcasts Episode 148: Our Writing Unrules for Unschoolers Writing Excuses   Charlotte Elvis Charlotte's Redbubble Shop The Stories of an Unschooling Family Red Bubble Shop Instagram: charlotte.elvis   Imogen Elvis Website Write.Rewrite.Read Youtube Imogen Elvis Write. Rewrite. Read Imogen's novel The Crystal Tree Instagram Write. Rewrite. Read   Sue Elvis My Unschooling Books Curious Unschoolers: Kindle Curious Unschoolers: paperback Radical Unschool Love: Kindle Radical Unschool Love: paperback Youtube Sue Elvis Instagram stories_ofan_unschoolingfamily   The Global Homeschooling Summit   Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider sharing the link so that we can spread the word about unschooling. A quick review or rating would help too! Please feel welcome to visit my blog Stories of an Unschooling Family to leave a comment about this episode. Or you could just stop by and say hello. And please join me on Instagram!  

This week, I've taken my mic into my closet! Sitting amongst my clothes, I'm sharing: Why I'm in my wardrobe. My new book idea. How I was interviewed for the Global Homeschooling Summit. My Susan Skeleton story. A homeschool registration story from my book Curious Unschoolers. The birthday urn story. And the huge ornate mirror story. Of course, along the way, I'm also sharing some unschooling ideas!   Show Notes   My Unschooling Book Curious Unschoolers   Youtube Sue Elvis   Instagram stories_ofan_unschoolingfamily   The Global Unschooling Summit   Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider sharing the link so that we can spread the word about unschooling. A quick review or rating would help too! Please feel welcome to visit my blog Stories of an Unschooling Family to leave a comment about this episode. Or you could just stop by and say hello. And please join me on Instagram!

This week, I'm sharing the first 3 parts of my newly published book Curious Unschoolers. I hope these stories will give you an idea of what my book is all about. Perhaps after listening to them, you'd like to read the whole book! 6:27 Curious Unschoolers 7:06 Part 1: An Introduction7:10 Something Important10:33 The Friend Who Comes to Tea13:08 Just in Case We’re Not Already Friends14:53 A Book of Stories 17:22 Part 2: An Introduction to Unschooling17:28 What is unschooling?20:48 Why Unschooling Isn’t a Method of Homeschooling32:01 Does Unschooling Work? 38:04 Part 3: What Unschooling Looks Like 38:10 What is Unschooling All About?48:12 Is Unschooling Just Living Life?54:08 The Curriculum of Life1:03:07 A Typical Unschooling Day   Show Notes   My Unschooling Book Curious Unschoolers   Youtube Sue Elvis   Instagram stories_ofan_unschoolingfamily   Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider sharing the link so that we can spread the word about unschooling. A quick review or rating would help too! Please feel welcome to visit my blog Stories of an Unschooling Family to leave a comment about this episode. Or you could just stop by and say hello. And please join me on Instagram!

This week, I'm chatting about unschooling and bedtimes. What if our kids want to stay up late? Can kids get up early if they have to? Do we sometimes want our kids to go to bed early because it suits us? What if we are criticised because of the way we parent our kids? I share lots of stories including one about entertaining unexpected guests in my pyjamas while feeding a baby. Also, I share My latest unschooling book news An excerpt from my book Curious Unschoolers. Some family news. And a few bits and pieces!   Show Notes Youtube Sue Elvis   Instagram stories_ofan_unschoolingfamily   Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider sharing the link so that we can spread the word about unschooling. A quick review or rating would help too! Please feel welcome to visit my blog Stories of an Unschooling Family to leave a comment about anything I talked about in this episode. You could just stop by and say hello. And please join me on Instagram!

This week, I'm sharing details of my daughter Gemma-Rose's homeschool registration visit. I discuss the following questions: Can registered homeschoolers unschool? How do we write homeschool plans when we don't know what our unschooling kids will be interested in? How can we fulfil homeschooling registration requirements without forcing kids to learn things they're not interested in?  Is forced learning real learning? I also talk about: How we might be tempted to push our kids to use their talents or extend their interests. How kids can surprise us. They're often not like us. They do things on their own timetables and not ours. And I share my latest unschooling book news.   Show Notes Podcasts Episode 27: The Tricky Business of Registering an Unschooler as a Homeschooler Episode 45: How Registered Homeschoolers Can Unschool   Blog Posts My homeschool registration and record keeping posts   Youtube Sue Elvis   Instagram stories_ofan_unschoolingfamily   Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider sharing the link so we can spread the word about unschooling. A quick review or rating would help too! Please feel welcome to visit my blog Stories of an Unschooling Family to leave a comment about anything I talked about in this episode. You could just stop by and say hello. And please join me on Instagram!

This week, my daughter Imogen and I are chatting about unschool writing. How do unschoolers learn to write? We share my writing unrules which are based on my observations of my children who all love writing. We talk about: Imogen's writing story: how she learnt to write, her university degree, how she is turning her passion for writing into YA novels How free play is the foundation for creative writing How drawing is a form of writing How we learn by following someone else's example How motivation for writing must come from within a child Books and reading How English workbooks are unnecessary The progress of my unschooling books And lots more!   Show Notes   Imogen Elvis Website Write.Rewrite.Read Youtube Write. Rewrite. Read Imogen's novel The Crystal Tree Instagram Write. Rewrite. Read   Podcasts Homeschool Solutions with Pam Barnhill Episode 150 of the Exploring Unschooling podcast with Pam Laricchia.   Books and Authors Mentioned Jackie French Bridge of Clay by Markus Zusak Rick Riordan Alice in Wonderful by Lewis Carrol   My Instagram stories_ofan_unschoolingfamily   Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider sharing the link so we can spread the word about unschooling. A quick review or rating would help too! Please feel welcome to visit my blog Stories of an Unschooling Family to leave a comment about anything we talked about in this episode. You could just stop by and say hello. And please join me on Instagram!  

My daughters Imogen and Sophie join me to talk about unschooling teenagers: What do teenagers need? Should parents introduce more structured learning during the high school years? Or do teenagers need to be free to continue to explore their passions? What should we do if a teenager doesn't appear to have any particular passions? What about university? Do parents keep teenagers safe by keeping a tight hold on them? Is this the responsible thing to do? Or do we keep teenagers safe by giving them their freedom to discover who they are? Should parents be friends with their teenagers? Is it never too late to build close relationships with our teenagers? Is it essential we do this? These are just a few of the many questions we discuss during our big chat about unschooling teenagers!   Show Notes   Imogen Elvis Website Write.Rewrite.Read Youtube Write. Rewrite. Read Imogen's novel The Crystal Tree   Sophie Elvis Instagram thetechnomaid tough.turtle Youtube Sophie Elvis   My Instagram stories_ofan_unschoolingfamily   Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider sharing the link so we can spread the word about unschooling. A quick review or rating would help too! Please feel welcome to visit my blog Stories of an Unschooling Family to leave a comment about anything we talked about in this episode. You could just stop by and say hello. And please join me on Instagram!

This week my daughters Imogen and Sophie join me to talk about: Imogen’s novel ‘The Crystal Tree’ and its sequel ‘The Shattering Song’ YA or Young Adult novels Imogen’s book review videos How parents hold the key to a child’s happiness How some parents push their kids to fulfil their own dreams The YA novel ‘A Thousand Perfect Notes’ Imogen’s opinion of my first unschooling book ‘Curious Unschoolers’ How we’re getting on with the formatting and publishing of my unschooling book  A progress report for my second unschooling book ‘A Radical Unschool Love’ How Sophie is teaching Imogen photography The joy of sharing passions Creativity and learning  How we all have bad days How our family isn’t perfect Sophie’s new job Sophie’s transition from unschooling to structured learning Sophie’s beta personal training clients How it can be difficult for parents to accept help and advice from their children How kids can outlearn their parents   Show Notes   A Novel A Thousand Perfect Notes by CG Drews   Imogen Elvis Youtube Write. Rewrite. Read Imogen's novel The Crystal Tree Instagram Write. Rewrite. Read Website Write. Rewrite. Read   Sophie Elvis Instagram thetechnomaid tough.turtle Youtube Sophie Elvis   My Instagram stories_ofan_unschoolingfamily   Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider sharing the link so we can spread the word about unschooling. A quick review or rating would help too! Please feel welcome to visit my blog Stories of an Unschooling Family to leave a comment about anything I talked about in this episode. Or you could just stop by and say hello. And please join me on Instagram!  

This week, my teenager Sophie joins me to test drive my new Yeti mic! Hopefully, our conversation sounds good! We talk about: Sophie's vlogging plans Encouraging children's ideas How we shouldn't be afraid to try new things The temptation to edit our pasts and rewrite our stories The temptation to delete early blog posts to eliminate our unschooling mistakes The problem of looking like we've never made any mistakes How we can impact other people's lives in a positive way Do I have an online persona? How we can capture our life stories How choosing the right gift can make a difference to the receiver's life Planning our year instead of making New Year's Resolutions Things I want to achieve in 2019 My unschooling book news Things Sophie wants to achieve this year   Show Notes   Imogen Elvis Youtube Imogen Elvis Imogen's novel The Crystal Tree   Sophie Elvis Instagram thetechnomaid tough.turtle Youtube Sophie Elvis   My Instagram stories_ofan_unschoolingfamily My Unschooling Newsletter Subscribe   Philip Mott's Podcast School's Out   Sallie Borrink's Blog Post Should Bloggers Edit Their Past   Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider sharing the link so we can spread the word about unschooling. A quick review or rating would help too! Please feel welcome to visit my blog Stories of an Unschooling Family to leave a comment about anything I talked about in this episode. Or you could just stop by and say hello. And please join me on Instagram! Perhaps you have a question or topic you'd like me to discuss in a future podcast episode. Please let me know so that I can add it to my planning notes for next year.

This week, I'm answering some questions about reading out loud: What is our reading out loud process? Should we have a time (for reading) built into the flow (of our day)? What if this time crowds out other projects our children are working on individually? How do we choose books?   I talk about Why I never enjoyed listening to books being read aloud as a child How I used to regard reading out loud as the dessert of my kids' education rather than the main course. How we should move over and let our kids occupy the reader's chair How we have to be patient while our kids are learning how to read out loud My reading-out-loud experiment: What happened when I stopped correcting my daughter when she made reading-out-loud mistakes   I also return to the topic of Christmas presents: Do presents belong only to the commercial side of Christmas or do they have spiritual significance? Can we tell others to be generous? Or do we only learn about generosity by experiencing it ourselves?   Show Notes Blog Posts Respecting Kids and Christmas Presents The Reading Out Loud Experiment A Main Course of Reading Out Loud Listening   Instagram stories_ofan_unschoolingfamily   Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider sharing the link so we can spread the word about unschooling. A quick review or rating would help too! Please feel welcome to visit my blog Stories of an Unschooling Family to leave a comment about anything I talked about in this episode. Or you could just stop by and say hello. And please join me on Instagram! Perhaps you have a question or topic you'd like me to discuss in a future podcast episode. Please let me know so that I can add it to my planning notes for next year. This is my last episode for 2018. I'm taking a break over Christmas. Please join me again in 2019! Happy Christmas!

This week, I'm sharing some news about my unschooling book. I'm also sharing two stories, one about respecting children, and the other about perfect Christmas presents and love. And I'm discussing the following questions: Is it the right of every child to be respected? How do we show respect to children? Do we sometimes do things for our kids only because we want them to do things for us? Is it okay to buy and enjoy giving Christmas presents? Is it okay to look forward to receiving them? Can choosing and giving presents be an act of love?   Show Notes Blog Posts My Perfect Christmas Present Secret Making an Aussie Bush Christmas Tree   YouTube Imogen Elvis Imogen's Christmas Music Playlist   Instagram stories_ofan_unschoolingfamily   Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider sharing the link so we can spread the word about unschooling. A quick review or rating would help too! Please feel welcome to visit my blog Stories of an Unschooling Family to leave a comment about anything I talked about in this episode. Perhaps you have a question or topic you'd like me to discuss. Or just stop by and say hello. And please join me on Instagram!

This week, my teenage daughter Sophie (17) joins me to talk about: How she balances her busy unschooling life with work Why it's important to trust kids and not squash their ambitions Why she is choosing not to go to university Sophie's dream to be self-employed and how she plans to achieve it How a lot of people react when they hear Sophie is working full time in a cafe NaNoWriMo events and making friends How we need to believe in our kids and cheer them on   Show Notes Podcasts Episode 133, A Balanced and Productive Unschool Life Episode 139, Unschool Socialisation: Making Friends, Being Different   Instagram Sophie Elvis thetechnomaid tough.turtle   Sue Elvis stories_ofan_unschoolingfamily   Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider sharing the link so we can spread the word about unschooling. A quick review or rating would help too! Please feel welcome to visit my blog Stories of an Unschooling Family to leave a comment about anything we talked about in this episode. Perhaps you have a question for Sophie. Or you could just stop by and say hello. And join me on Instagram!

This week, I'm answering the question: "Have your kids ever been between interests?" I talk about: Exciting times when kids are gripped by a passion Quiet times when they appear to be drifting along How we can help our kids during quiet times by trusting and strewing Some strewing ideas   Show Notes Blog Posts When Excitement for Learning Appears to Disappear Regaining Her Enthusiasm for Learning Preparing our Kids for an Unknown Future: Can We Do It?  What Happened When I Strewed a Painting on the Wall Unschooling, Strewing, and Unplanning My Unschool Unplanning Strewing Notebook   Podcasts Episode 4: Exciting Times, Slow Times, and Unschool Holidays Episode 83: How to Start a Great Art Conversation   Novel Writing Camp NaNoWriMo   Coding Lessons Codecademy    Youtube Exercise Channel Fitness Blender   My Unschooling Newsletter Subscribe   Instagram stories_ofan_unschoolingfamily   Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider sharing the link so we can spread the word about unschooling. A quick review or rating would help too! Please feel welcome to visit my blog Stories of an Unschooling Family to leave a comment about anything I talked about in this episode. Perhaps you have a question or topic you'd like me to discuss. Or just stop by and say hello. And join me on Instagram!