Honey! I'm Homeschooling The Kids

Homeschool and Unschool Q&A Are you considering taking this homeschooling or unschooling path but you've come to a standstill? Are you having doubts about your ability to homeschool or a lack of confidence in unschooling?  How do you juggle homeschool and work? What about working full time? How can we best support reading and writing skills?  I invited a few of my homeschool mama friends to join me on this Homeschool and Unschool Q&A episode. Liana Francisco is a grown Unschooler that now Unschools her son. She is a multi-passionate entrepreneur who was unschooled from birth to 16 when she started college full time. She is 40 years old, so she was unschooled way back in the day when you still got the evil eye from the mail man and grocery store clerks. Liana Francisco has a vegan wholesale food business, a consulting business, and a YouTube channel where she teaches moms with young kids how to make plant-based eating EASY with a system. She also teaches moms how to hack homemaking for more freedom AND an organized family. Kelly Edwards is the creator of the 90-Minute School Day. The 90-Minute School Day method connects children with learning in their natural environment: at home with their family.  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 9th 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. In This Episode- We Came For You-And Your Questions This episode is dedicated to answering your questions. Although we did not get to all of the questions, we did our best answering and offering examples, and sharing our personal experiences. Our answers reflected our lives in neurodiversity, infancy to adulthood, homeschooling and unschooling. These are the questions we answered: 1. My kids don't engage in reading...how could I support him to feel confident to start?  2. My son learns skills, for example, reading when it becomes useful to him. I worry that he may not find a need to write because everything is typed these days. Should I worry?  3. How do you handle doubting yourself? I started out a Charlotte Mason purist a few years ago and found your podcast and unschooling 2 years ago. Have been loving and seeing so much growth and curiosity but I find myself wondering if I'm doing enough and fall back into doing structured Charlotte Mason when I feel in doubt. Any tips on staying confident in unschooling?  4. I want to homeschool my 4 kids (9,7,5,3) but I don't feel like the smartest person. Now it is fine, but later?  5. I have a 1 year old but I'm already thinking about homeschooling plans. Currently going back to work; worried if I'll be able to sustain that goal when the time comes if I'm still working full time.  Resources You can connect with Liana, Kelly and I each week in our online community on the Clubhouse app-Honey! I'm Homeschooling Learn more about our annual spring homeschool summit~ How To Be An Awesome Homeschooler Connect with Kelly on her website www.90minuteschoolday.com or Instagram @90minuteschoolday Learn more about Kelly's lifestyle approach to education in this episode- Finding Freedom Within Structure. You can connect with Liana on Instagram ~ @liana_francisco You Tube- @HomeschoolMomLife Her website~ https://www.lianafrancisco.com/ If you want to hear more of Liana’s story, then check out the first interview we ever did on this show~ Growing Up Unschooled. A Word From Our Sponsor Sponsor support allows me to continue to create this podcast and allow it to be easily accessible for you.  This episode was brought to you by MEL Science.  MEL Science MEL Science is a subscription service that offers a range of educational resources and hands-on experiments for homeschooling families. From chemistry to physics, medicine to STEM, MEL Science subscription boxes are packed full of exciting experiments and activities that will inspire and educate. These boxes are a perfect way to give homeschooling kids a practice with the hands-on boxes and get them involved in science activities. With MEL Science, you’ll get all the materials needed for each experiment, including detailed instructions and educational materials that explain the scientific concepts behind each experiment. If you’re looking for a fun and exciting way to teach science, MEL Science is a great choice. Don’t forget to take advantage of the 60% discount for your first box, and start exploring the fascinating world of science with MEL Science today. USE CODE MEL60 At CHECKOUTSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Impacts of Technology on Learning The world of learning today looks a lot different from the learning world that I grew up in. When my kids were younger they loved the story I told of a memorable day in my first grade class when my teacher rolled a large machine into our classroom. As we sat there in silence, she announced that the contraption she had brought in was called a.... computer! And the entire class would get a chance to use it. You can imagine our excitement. The computer produced questions on the screen and we each took turns typing the answers. It was the first and only time we had access to a computer that year and for years to come. By the time I was in junior high school we had computer labs and classes using computers. By high school I even ventured to take a rudimentary programming class.  Fast forward to today and my home educated children can travel to countries they are interested in visiting via Virtual Reality.  They can take a University level class from an Ivy League school from the couch, for free.  They can get help refining their resume through a chat generative pre-trained transformer.  They can learn a new skill or technique for an infinite number of things via YouTube. They have access to the world at their finger tips.   Technology has brought major shifts in learning.  Should we be excited about what the future holds for our learners?  Will homeschoolers and unschoolers have more access to opportunities previously held by education gatekeepers?  Do our technological tools bring dangers that we should be wary of?  How can we best support and protect our children from pitfalls? Or do we need to? How can we create and foster educational programs and environments that will prepare our children for the future?  In This Episode- Technology, Digital Learning and Impacts on Learners In this episode I spoke with Josh Davidson. Josh is a dad and founder of an award winning online learning program, Night Zookeeper. As the Managing Director of a digital platform that services families and in particular kids under the age of 12, I wanted to hear his insight on the influence of technology and digital learning on education, the job market and the future.  Technology has brought major shifts in learning. We explored a few of those shifts and shared our ideas on the good and bad. Should we be excited about what the future holds for our learners?  Do our technological tools bring dangers that we should be wary of?  How can we best support or protect our children from dangers? Or do we need to? How can we create and foster educational programs and environments that will prepare our children for the future?  What impacts will technology and Artificial Intelligence have on the job market?  I enjoyed Josh's viewpoint on technology and how it is shaping our future. His perspective is uplifting and pragmatic. He offers a good reminder that we are all really seeking solutions to problems. And as much as sometimes we may be drawn to worry about the bad, there is still a lot of good that we are contributing to the world. Resources Josh Davidson is the Founder and Managing Director of Night Zookeeper, the award-winning online language arts program designed to make learning fantastically fun for children ages 6-12. With a dedication to improving online education over the past 12 years, Josh has brought enthusiasm and passion to the field of education, offering an exciting learning experience beyond the confines of traditional classrooms. Josh's pioneering spirit emerged during his MA in Digital Art, making him one of the trailblazers in the United Kingdom for this field of study. Leveraging his creative expertise, he has elevated online learning to new heights through Night Zookeeper. Every aspect of this innovative program reflects his commitment to fostering children's creativity, encouraging them to unleash their imagination by designing their own imaginative animals within an interactive world that ignites a love for reading and writing. At the forefront of innovation and growth, Josh and the Night Zookeeper team have continuously pushed the boundaries of online education. Embracing the ever-evolving landscape of technology, they have seamlessly integrated cutting-edge solutions to keep up with the dynamic trends shaping the thriving world of technology and education. As a result, Night Zookeeper has emerged as a pioneer in its field, providing adaptable solutions that redefine the learning experience for children worldwide and encourages children to have fun whilst learning. If you would like to learn more about the platform and program, go HERE.  Josh referenced author Daniel Pink. https://www.danpink.com/I referenced Dr. Peter Gray and his work on the importance of kids playing modern day tools mentioned in his book Free To Learn. Thank You To Our Sponsor Sponsor support allows me to continue to create this podcast and allow it to be easily accessible for you.  This episode was brought to you by MEL Science.  MEL Science MEL Science is a subscription service that offers a range of educational resources and hands-on experiments for homeschooling families. From chemistry to physics, medicine to STEM, MEL Science subscription boxes are packed full of exciting experiments and activities that will inspire and educate. These boxes are a perfect way to give homeschooling kids a practice with the hands-on boxes and get them involved in science activities. With MEL Science, you’ll get all the materials needed for each experiment, including detailed instructions and educational materials that explain the scientific concepts behind each experiment. If you’re looking for a fun and exciting way to teach science, MEL Science is a great choice. Don’t forget to take advantage of the 60% discount for your first box, and start exploring the fascinating world of science with MEL Science today. USE CODE MEL60 At CHECKOUTSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Overcoming Fears and Doubts Homeschooling fears got you down? Parenting doubts keeping you paralyzed? Does the worry and fear wear you down?  Erica Kesilman joined me on this episode to talk about the fears and doubts we face as homeschoolers and parents and how we can overcome them.  Erica helps parents grow strong family relationships without yelling, guilt or overwhelm. She utilizes trauma-sensitive, somatic, body-centered therapies for nervous system healing of complex developmental, psychological, neurological, or emotional challenges so you can realize inner security, safety, and optimal health and wellness. She does this through workshops, group programs or one-on-ones.  She has over 20 years of experience working with families in a wide range of capacities. Erica holds two M.Ed. degrees in Educational Administrations & Leadership, a B.A. in Clinical Psychology with Certifications in Trauma Coaching, Conscious Parenting, Somatic Attachment Therapies, EFT and Breathwork.  She is a homeschooling mom to 3.  In This Episode In this episode Erica shares her own experiences of the fear of imperfections. From the classroom to unschooling wasn't as easy for her as you may think. Just because Erica has the education credentials doesn't mean it was a breeze. She's been working through the demands of perfectionism. Demands that compromised what is most important to her- the integrity of the relationship with her kids. We talk about: The fear of imperfections and making mistakes and what to do when we were never modelled that for ourselves. How we can begin to go through the repair process with our kids Looking at how our child responds and how you respond when there is challenging behaviour Focusing on the "glimmers" Building in academics by working with the child Creating rhythms or patterns that can build the skills  Inner Resources Soft Structure Conscious Parenting Going from automatic to intentional Self Forgiveness Practice Resources To Share If you would like to connect with Erica you can find her at https://ericakesilman.com/ Instagram @erica_kesilman  Facebook  Mentioned in the episode Peter Gray Book- Free To Learn Listen to my interview with Dr. Peter Gray HERE.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Unschooling Journey- From Childhood To Adulthood with Missy Willis Missy is a mom to two, writer, and self-directed education advocate.  As a trained teacher, she imagined a life devoted to traditional education, but in 2007 she moved away from the standardized schooling model with her own kids and hasn’t looked back.    Let ‘em go Barefoot is the community and podcast she created to share stories, insights and research on conscious parenting and education. Her work has reached hundreds of thousands of people across the globe. What has emerged is a felt sense that we are in the midst of a Great Educational Awakening.   Missy is currently collaborating with another veteran unschooling mom, Ann Hansen of Inner Parent Coaching, to create a supportive community for the next generation of unschooling parents.    A foundational principle of their work is: The Future of Education is not in the Classroom   Find out more or to get involved at www.letemgobarefoot.com or on Instagram @letemgobarefoot  In This Episode This is the second time Missy has been featured on my podcast. (She has also co-hosted excellent conversations in my Homeschool Club)  I wanted to bring her back on the show to hear her perspective on unschooling through the years. Her oldest is now an adult and her youngest is in her teens. (I suggest you listen to her first interview to hear more about her background in education and their unschooling beginning).  In this episode we explored the many layers of unschooling, learning and parenting.  Peaceful Parenting and open communication in unschooling  How she has has approached academics in unschooling What helped their family to continue unschooling in the later years- getting clear on the why  Recognizing the ups and downs and the challenges Unschooling into Post Secondary- creating portfolios, dual enrolment, college entry and career tracks Building experiences, adventures and engaging with the world The research- Self Determination Theory: Autonomy, Competence and Relatedness  Resources You can reach Missy through Let Em Go Barefoot on social media and her website.  Website- Let Em Go Barefoot Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/letemgobarefoot Instagram- Instagram @letemgobarefoot  Self Determination Theory If you would like to hear additional conversations with Missy, I recommend her first interview- Conscious Educator. Or, her recorded Honey! I’m Homeschooling Co-Hosted Conversations- Veteran Unschooling Moms Q&A, and Conscious Parenting & Deschooling.  For Support on your homeschooling and Unschooling journey join my Honey! I’m Homeschooling Patreon Community. Or connect with me One-On-One HERE.  Thank you Sponsors Sponsor support allows me to continue to create this podcast and allow it to be easily accessible for you.  This episode was brought to you by MEL Science.  MEL Science MEL Science is a subscription service that offers a range of educational resources and hands-on experiments for homeschooling families. From chemistry to physics, medicine to STEM, MEL Science subscription boxes are packed full of exciting experiments and activities that will inspire and educate. These boxes are a perfect way to give homeschooling kids a practice with the hands-on boxes and get them involved in science activities. With MEL Science, you’ll get all the materials needed for each experiment, including detailed instructions and educational materials that explain the scientific concepts behind each experiment. If you’re looking for a fun and exciting way to teach science, MEL Science is a great choice. Don’t forget to take advantage of the 60% discount for your first box, and start exploring the fascinating world of science with MEL Science today. USE CODE MEL60 At CHECKOUTSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This community conversation was all about risk taking.  My friends Kelly Edwards and Tira Hunter joined me to lead this this community conversation on the importance of allowing our kids (and teens) to take risks and what that looks like in our lives. In This Episode Kelly Edwards is the founder of the 90 Minute School Day. She is a homeschooling mom to her 3 daughters, ages 15, 8 and 5. Tira Hunter unschooled her daughter Zoi who is now grown, runs a business and is a mom to Zoi, a professional artist. This conversation brought our community of parents that come from different backgrounds, places, ages, races and circumstances to share their ideas, and ask questions.  Here's what we explored in this conversation: What is risk taking? Risky play- the benefits, examples and balancing safety  Risk taking at different ages Trust- the element that makes risk okay Parent Fears Why are some parents more risk-adverse?  Tools, knives, guns and independent experiences Risk and Race And let's not forget, risk taking in choosing to homeschool! Resources We shared some fantastic resources- podcasts, books and articles throughout this discussion. Books Teen Mind, Teen Brain-What Parents Need To Know To Survive The Adolescent Years by Dr. Ron Clavier Free To Learn- Why Unleashing The Instinct To Play Will Make Our Children Happier, More Self Reliant, and Better Students For Life by Dr. Peter Gray Articles and Research The Nature Of Things- Risky Play For Children- Why We Should Let Kids Go Outside And Then Get Out Of The Way National Library of Medicine- Risky Play and Children's Safety: Balancing Priorities For Optimal Child Development outsideplay.ca -Helping Caregivers and Educators Gain The Confidence and Skills To Support Children's Outdoor Play Podcast Episodes Free To Learn with Dr. Peter Gray Supporting Passions and Unschooling To Adulthood with Tira and Zoi Hunter Finding Freedom Within Structure with Kelly Edwards Supporting Passions and Unschooling in the Teen Years  Homeschooling Support Join Our Community   One on One Coaching Support Clubhouse Community  OUR SPONSORS Sponsor support allows me to continue to create this podcast and allow it to be easily accessible for you.  This episode was brought to you by Fearless Learners by Success Codes and MEL Science.  Fearless Learners by SuccessCodes;Where all children can learn and grow fearless with a Learning Success Coach by their side. Their certified Learning Success coaches make learning easy with their proven holistic coaching methodology which is a unique and superior alternative to tutoring and teaching in all subjects.All of their coaches are certified teachers as well as certified Learning Success Coaches, who have left the school system to create the ‘right’ environment to provide customized and personalized learning experiences.    *Kohila is offering a FREE 45 minute clarity coaching call to Honey! I’m Homeschooling The Kids listeners. Just go to learningsuccessacademy.com Watch From Fear To Fearless, Kohila’s weekly show on Wednesday, 11am Pacific Time at fearlesslearners.live MEL Science MEL Science is a subscription service that offers a range of educational resources and hands-on experiments for homeschooling families. From chemistry to physics, medicine to STEM, MEL Science subscription boxes are packed full of exciting experiments and activities that will inspire and educate. These boxes are a perfect way to give homeschooling kids a practice with the hands-on boxes and get them involved in science activities. With MEL Science, you’ll get all the materials needed for each experiment, including detailed instructions and educational materials that explain the scientific concepts behind each experiment. If you’re looking for a fun and exciting way to teach science, MEL Science is a great choice. Don’t forget to take advantage of the 60% discount for your first box, and start exploring the fascinating world of science with MEL Science today. USE CODE MEL60 At CHECKOUTSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Evgenia is a homeschooling mama of one boy and the founder of Fit Mama Method. She was born in the Soviet Union and lived in Russia until 29 years old. She holds 2 Master Degrees in Journalism and Sports. Evgenia came to Canada to complete a college program and decided to stay. She was the head coach of an Acrobatic Gymnastics Program and a personal trainer until she decided to stay home with her son.  Evgenia is a homeschool mom and entrepreneur. Her Nourished Motherhood Program has helped many homeschooling mamas to beat burn-out with a holistic approach to wellbeing, motherhood and homeschooling.  In This Episode​ Often, my podcast interviews offer perspective into different points of view, circumstances and the rest of the world. It can be easy to live our life and assume that everyone shares similar thoughts, ideals and circumstances. But that is not always the case. I personally enjoy hearing the stories from others that have grown up and lived a learning life quite different from my own, or the one that I know. It gives me a better understanding of the world.  In this episode Evgenia shares about life growing up in the Soviet Union and how that reflects on childhood and parenting. What does a life shaped by living behind the Iron Curtain look like? We talked about: The school system (a day in the life of the school day, and class in the Soviet Union) Raising children (the expectations on both kids and parents)  Family and community purpose (How differently they varied from life in the western world today) Homeschooling  This was a wonderful discussion on not only how we are shaped, but the changes that we go through in our lives that begin to change our world, values and parenting. And of course...lead us to homeschooling. Resources Connect with Evgenia on her website- fitmamamethod.com Instagram- @fit.mama.method If you want to learn more about getting started in homeschooling, listen to my episode 7 Steps To Begin Homeschooling Thank you Sponsors Sponsor support allows me to continue to create this podcast and allow it to be easily accessible for you.  This episode was brought to you by Fearless Learners by Success Codes and MEL Science.  Fearless Learners by SuccessCodes;Where all children can learn and grow fearless with a Learning Success Coach by their side. Their certified Learning Success coaches make learning easy with their proven holistic coaching methodology which is a unique and superior alternative to tutoring and teaching in all subjects.All of their coaches are certified teachers as well as certified Learning Success Coaches, who have left the school system to create the ‘right’ environment to provide customized and personalized learning experiences.    *Kohila is offering a FREE 45 minute clarity coaching call to Honey! I’m Homeschooling The Kids listeners. Just go to learningsuccessacademy.com Watch From Fear To Fearless, Kohila’s weekly show on Wednesday, 11am Pacific Time at fearlesslearners.live MEL Science MEL Science is a subscription service that offers a range of educational resources and hands-on experiments for homeschooling families. From chemistry to physics, medicine to STEM, MEL Science subscription boxes are packed full of exciting experiments and activities that will inspire and educate. These boxes are a perfect way to give homeschooling kids a practice with the hands-on boxes and get them involved in science activities. With MEL Science, you'll get all the materials needed for each experiment, including detailed instructions and educational materials that explain the scientific concepts behind each experiment. If you're looking for a fun and exciting way to teach science, MEL Science is a great choice. Don't forget to take advantage of the 60% discount for your first box, and start exploring the fascinating world of science with MEL Science today. USE CODE MEL60 At CHECKOUTSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How Do You Know If Online Learning Is The Right Option?  Technology has become a powerful tool in learning, transforming education in numerous ways. It has increased access to education, information and resources. Learning opportunities are now, quite literally, right at our finger tips.  Technology has not only increased our access to information, but it has also broadened our access to where and how we want to learn and who we choose to learn with.  One format that has grown is online learning. It seems like at if we are looking for a class, or school, most likely we can find an online class that will teach it. But with all of this choice now on offer, how can we know if we are choosing right? How do you know if online learning is the right option?  Invited 2 experienced educators in the online learning space to explore this question with me. Anjilee Ferguson and Sara Busalacchi have over a decade of experience in online learning, working in the field since its inception.  They have a passion for helping students succeed which led them to co-found Mountain Point Academy, an online school for grades 6-12.  Their mission is to help provide students with a personalized approach to online learning, with 1:1 support for students to find joy in learning and citizenship.   In This Episode Anjilee and Sara take the time to answer my questions about online learning. How do you know if online learning is the right learning option? How do you find out of the online learning option aligns with your needs and values? What options are available?  How can we best support our kids in their online learning experience? What are points to look for when choosing an online learning community?  Can online learning be relationship based?  What is the difference between synchronous and asynchronous learning?  Resources Connect with Mountain Point Academy onInstagram: @mtnpointacademy Facebook: Mountain Point Academy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/40950537  If you aren’t sure if online learning is a good fit for you, you can schedule a FREE consultation call to talk with the Mountain Point Academy team: www.mountainpointacademy.com/letschat  If you would like to learn about other alternative programs, both in person and online, listen to these episodes~Village Home Learning Community  CoLearn~Bridging Unconventional Education Approaches Podcast Sponsor This episode was brought to you by Fearless Learners by Success Codes Fearless Learners by SuccessCodes;Where all children can learn and grow fearless with a Learning Success Coach by their side. Their certified Learning Success coaches make learning easy with their proven holistic coaching methodology which is a unique and superior alternative to tutoring and teaching in all subjects.All of their coaches are certified teachers as well as certified Learning Success Coaches, who have left the school system to create the ‘right’ environment to provide customized and personalized learning experiences.    *Kohila is offering a FREE 45 minute clarity coaching call to Honey! I’m Homeschooling The Kids listeners. Just go to learningsuccessacademy.com Watch From Fear To Fearless, Kohila’s weekly show on Wednesday, 11am Pacific Time at fearlesslearners.liveSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Free To Learn and PLAY with Dr. Peter Gray Peter Gray is an American psychologist, author and research professor. He has conducted and published research in neuroendocrinology, developmental psychology, anthropology, and education. His research focuses on the role of play in human evolution and how children educate themselves, through play and exploration, when they are free to do so. He has expanded on these ideas in his book, Free to Learn: Why Unleashing the Instinct to Play Will Make Our Children Happier, More Self-Reliant, and Better Students for Life (Basic Books). He has been a regular contributor to Psychology Today magazine and is a founding member and president of the nonprofit Alliance for Self-Directed Education (ASDE) and a founding board director of the nonprofit Let Grow.  He earned his undergraduate degree at Columbia College and Ph.D. in biological sciences at the Rockefeller University many years ago. His own current play includes kayaking, long-distance bicycling, backwoods skiing, and vegetable gardening.  In This Episode: The Importance Of Free Play​ This episode is a re-release of an earlier episode with Peter Gray. (episode 47)  It is such a wonderful and important discussion that I want to make sure it stays accessible.  In this episode we talk about:  The importance of FREE PLAY Self Directed Learning and the key parts of the self directed learning environment The lack of free play in our world today and what the absence of it has led to Parents Fears around self directed education Resources Research studies: https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/experts/peter-gray-phd Observational study Jay Feldman https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED453128 Study of Grown Unschoolers https://www.psychologytoday.com/sites/default/files/Published%20Grown%20Unschoolers%20I.pdf https://www.psychologytoday.com/sites/default/files/Published%20Grown%20Unschooles%20II.pdf Brian Sutton Smith Play Scholar Play Theory Democratic Schools Sudbury Valley School Peter Gray’s Book Free To Learn: Why Unleashing The Instinct To Play Will Make Our Children Happier, More Self-Reliant, and Better Students For Life Alliance For Self Directed Education Let Grow Project Podcast Sponsor This episode was brought to you by Fearless Learners by Success Codes Fearless Learners by SuccessCodes;Where all children can learn and grow fearless with a Learning Success Coach by their side. Their certified Learning Success coaches make learning easy with their proven holistic coaching methodology which is a unique and superior alternative to tutoring and teaching in all subjects.All of their coaches are certified teachers as well as certified Learning Success Coaches, who have left the school system to create the ‘right’ environment to provide customized and personalized learning experiences.    *Kohila is offering a FREE 45 minute clarity coaching call to Honey! I’m Homeschooling The Kids listeners. Just go to learningsuccessacademy.com Watch From Fear To Fearless, Kohila’s weekly show on Wednesday, 11am Pacific Time at fearlesslearners.live How To Be An Awesome Homeschooler~ March 24th 2023 Grab your FREE or Full Access Pass ticket (only $37) ~ HOW TO BE AN AWESOME HOMESCHOOLER The summit is open to all since we are hosting it as an audio only experience on the Clubhouse app. But if you register for your FREE TICKET through the website you also receive our Digital Swag Bag that gives you a ton of resource freebies for parents and kids (like my son’s Science Animal Journal, Kelly Edwards Creating Quiet Time packet, Free Conscious Parenting mini course, Discounts on our favourite books, Kids Entrepreneurship Course, Discounts to online resources and MORE.  If you cannot make the live event, we are also offering a FULL ACCESS package of the recordings, pdfs and post summit community gatherings which include a Movie Screening~ The amazing film MaidenTrip~ and Live Group Q&A and Coaching with Kelly Edwards of 90 Minute School Day and I.  We are able to create this summit and make it accessible because of our wonderful Sponsors. Night ZooKeeper, Learning Success Academy, Erica Kesilman~Conscious Parent Coach, Mel Science, Storitopia, Amanda Schenkenberger~ Homeschool Coach, Honey! I’m Homeschooling The Kids podcast and 90 Minute School Day. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How Unschooling Affected My Life: Liana Francisco Has anyone ever said to you that this whole idea of Unschooling does not end well? That kids will never be self directed? That there is no evidence that self directed learning actually works?  Have they listened to my podcast? Have the heard the interviews I and countless others have shared? Well, here is more to add to the list. This is part of a series I am exploring on grown homeschoolers and Self Directed Teens.  In This Episode~ Living As If School Doesn't Exist This episode is filled with so much insight and information on growing up without school, without any of the expectations of school. Liana shares what it was like living as if school doesn't exist. Liana Francisco is a grown Unschooler that now Unschools her son. She is a multi-passionate entrepreneur who was unschooled from birth to 16 when she started college full time. She is 40 years old, so she was unschooled way back in the day when you still got the evil eye from the mail man and grocery store clerks. Liana has a vegan wholesale food business, a consulting business, and a YouTube channel where she teaches moms with young kids how to make plant-based eating EASY with a system. She also teaches moms how to hack homemaking for more freedom AND an organized family. Liana also shares important advice for parents that are considering this path or are uncertain about unschooling as their children grow older.  We talked about: Creating Environments That Are Right For Learning How Did They Learn To Read Without Direct Instruction? The Order Of Natural Learning (heads up- it doesn't resemble the order of school based learning) How Will Unschoolers Succeed If Their Life Never Resembles School?  Does Hard Work, Independence and Study Skills Happen With Unschooling?  The Unreal Expectations Of Unschooling Resources You can connect with Liana on Instagram ~ @liana_francisco You Tube- @HomeschoolMomLife Clubhouse~ https://www.clubhouse.com/@lianafrancisco Her website~ https://www.lianafrancisco.com/ If you want to hear more of Liana's story, then check out the first interview we ever did on this show~ Growing Up Unschooled. I also recommend these other interviews; Amanda Schenkenberger~How Homeschooling Affected My Life, To Adulthood with Sue Patterson and Play, Purpose and Unschooling.  Book Mentioned: The Power Of Now ~ Eckhart Tolle How To Be An Awesome Homeschooler Summit March 24th is our third How To Be An Awesome Homeschooler Summit!  We are hosting this full day summit LIVE and our special guests are bringing the Powerful P’s to the table through interactive keynotes and workshops~ PURPOSE. PERSIST. PLAY.  We have Leah Boden laying the foundation for PURPOSE. Julie Bogart showing the art of PERSIST.  Mr. Chazz is educating us all on the power of PLAY.  Kelly Edwards is guiding us through her workshop on Supporting Neurodiversity. And you get ME, Robyn Roberston and a few special guests embracing the Self Directed Teen.  Go to the website HOW TO BE AN AWESOME HOMESCHOOLER to register for your FREE ticket and receive extra goodies. (Extra Goodies like our Digital Swag Bag that gives you resource freebies for parents and kids (like my son's Science Animal Journal, Kelly Edwards Creating Quiet Time packet, Free Conscious Parenting mini course, Discounts on our favourite books, Kids Entrepreneurship Course, Discounts to online resources and MORE) If you cannot make the live event, we are also offering a package of the recordings, pdfs and post summit community gatherings which include a Movie Watch Party and Live Group Q&A and Coaching with Kelly Edwards of 90 Minute School Day and I.  We are able to create this summit and make it accessible because of our wonderful Sponsors. Night ZooKeeper, Learning Success Academy, Erica Kesilman~Conscious Parent Coach, Storitopia, Amanda Schenkenberger~ Homeschool Coach, Honey! I'm Homeschooling The Kids podcast and 90 Minute School Day.  Thank you To Our Podcast Sponsors This episode was brought to you by Fearless Learners by Success Codes Fearless Learners by SuccessCodes;Where all children can learn and grow fearless with a Learning Success Coach by their side. Their certified Learning Success coaches make learning easy with their proven holistic coaching methodology which is a unique and superior alternative to tutoring and teaching in all subjects.All of their coaches are certified teachers as well as certified Learning Success Coaches, who have left the school system to create the ‘right’ environment to provide customized and personalized learning experiences.    *Kohila is offering a FREE 45 minute clarity coaching call to Honey! I’m Homeschooling The Kids listeners. Just go to learningsuccessacademy.com Watch From Fear To Fearless, Kohila’s weekly show on Wednesday, 11am Pacific Time at fearlesslearners.liveSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How Homeschooling Affected My Life with Amanda Schenkenberger Amanda Schenkenberger is a grown homeschooler that now homeschools her own 4 children. She is also a homeschool coach and mentor to moms that are busy trying to find more joy and less anxiety in homeschooling. You can connect with Amanda and access her support through her website, moms.heartsmarthomeschool.com You can also connect with her through Instagram @homeschoolcoachingmama In this episode Amanda took time out to share her reflections, triumphs and struggles through homeschooling.  "How homeschooling affected my life and how it translated to her homeschool now." In This Episode with Amanda I often get the question, this seems great for a few years when they are young, but how do homeschoolers really turn out over the long run? What about: Socialization? How Will They Live In The "Real World" If They Are Never Told What To Do? What Will They Learn If They Don't Go To School? If They Do Go To School, Won't They Be Too Far Behind?  In this episode Amanda answers these questions and talks about how her experiences have shaped her as an adult. She shares the strengths; the work ethic that she built even though her life was filled with a large amount of play and freedom. Amanda shares the notable experiences that question what we think are set parameters of learning; like learning how to read from her deaf parent. And the life shifts that brought change; her homeschooling days coming to an end as her parents went through a divorce. As well as how she prepared going to school for the first time ever.  If you are a parent that is curious about homeschooling, or are questioning what your homeschool choice will turn out to look like, then listen to this episode.  Resources and Connection Amanda has chosen to continue to homeschool her own children. She also runs a business that support others homeschool moms through coaching and community. She understands that Homeschooling can be a beautiful, joy-filled experience—or it can be a stressful, overwhelming routine. That's why she created Heart Smart Moms. You can connect with Amanda and access her support through her website, moms.heartsmarthomeschool.com You can also connect with her through Instagram @homeschoolcoachingmama Heart Smart Homeschool Moms is also a sponsor for HOW TO BE AN AWESOME HOMESCHOOLER Summit! We are grateful for the sponsors that help our summit to happen and remain accessible to the community.  If you would like to hear more stories from grown homeschoolers and unschoolers, then check out my episode with Hannah Frankman, Liana Francisco and Zoi Hunter How To Be An Awesome Homeschooler Summit If you haven't already heard, March 24th is our third How To Be An Awesome Homeschooler Summit!  We are hosting this full day summit LIVE and our special guests are bringing the Powerful P's to the table through interactive keynotes and workshops~ PURPOSE. PERSIST. PLAY.  We have Leah Boden laying the foundation for PURPOSE. Julie Bogart showing the art of PERSIST.  Mr. Chazz is educating us all on the power of PLAY.  Kelly Edwards is guiding us through her workshop on Supporting Neurodiversity. And you get ME, Robyn Roberston and a few special guests embracing the Self Directed Teen.  Go to the website HOW TO BE AN AWESOME HOMESCHOOLER to register for your FREE ticket and receive extra goodies. If you cannot make the live event, we are also offering a package of the recordings, pdfs and post event community goodies.  Shout Out To Our Podcast Sponsors! This episode was brought to you by Fearless Learners by Success CodesFearless Learners by SuccessCodes;Where all children can learn and grow fearless with a Learning Success Coach by their side. Their certified Learning Success coaches make learning easy with their proven holistic coaching methodology which is a unique and superior alternative to tutoring and teaching in all subjects.All of their coaches are certified teachers as well as certified Learning Success Coaches, who have left the school system to create the 'right' environment to provide customized and personalized learning experiences.   *Kohila is offering a FREE 45 minute clarity coaching call to Honey! I’m Homeschooling The Kids listeners. Just go to learningsuccessacademy.comWatch From Fear To Fearless, Kohila’s weekly show on Wednesday, 11am Pacific Time at fearlesslearners.live  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How Can We Build FEARLESS Learners?​ Kohila Sivas is the founder of Fearless Learners by SuccessCodes, where all children can learn and grow fearless with a Learning Success Coach by their side. Kohila's certified Learning Success coaches make learning easy with their proven holistic coaching methodology which is a unique and superior alternative to tutoring and teaching. Kohila Sivas is also the creator of the revolutionary MathCodes Method™ and Meta-Learning DeStress Method™, a unique system designed to recover learning loss and demystify learning. These methods are grounded in brain science and neurolinguistics. She developed these systems over 24 years working one on one with over 1600 struggling students. Kohila was once a struggling math student herself and is now a Learning Success Coach, Holobody coach by Mindvalley, Master NLP Practitioner, and Certified Hypnotherapist. She is the host of the Alternative Education Summit, coming next Sept 2023, #1 Best-Selling author and host of From Fear to Fearless Show. Kohila is the winner of 2022 Outstanding Leadership Award for the Contribution to the Field of Education and Learning and winner of Outstanding Organization Award. She is also a fearless entrepreneur, parent, lifelong fighter, and learner. Since March 2022, she has trained over 50+ passionate educators to launch and grow their independent Learning Success Coaching practices using her methods, with a mission to serve 1.5 million or more students by 2035.   Learning Success Coaching is a proven holistic coaching methodology that is a unique and superior alternative to tutoring and teaching in all subjects. In This Episode If you are a parent that is at an impasse because there is too much information, too many important decisions to make and you want more tangible support to help your children feel success in their learning, then this episode is for you. Kohila defines and explains learning in a way that makes it simple to access as a homeschooling parent. At the same time she offers useful applications and tools to help us be a greater support to our kids. She shows us a way to build fearless learners.  In this episode we explore: How we can build fearless learners What do we need to do to build the right learning environment? Is there a difference between education and learning? And if there is, why is it important as parents and educators to understand what that difference is? How can we connect with the best outside learning supports for our kids?  Mindset, Action Sets and Skillsets- the key elements that make learning easy.  Resources Connect with Kohila and the support she offers at Fearless Learners and Learning Success Academy~ learningsuccessacademy.com Facebook~ https://www.facebook.com/learningsuccesscodes Instagram~ https://www.instagram.com/fearless_learners_coach/ Listen to my previous interviews with Kohila on Math- How We Learn and Math Codes Watch From Fear To Fearless, Kohila's weekly show on Wednesday, 11am Pacific Time at fearlesslearners.live Kohila offers a FREE Clarity coaching call with her Learning Success Coach to help parents gain clarity on what steps to take with their kids. Go to learningsuccessacademy.com How To Be An Awesome Homeschooler~ Purpose. Persist. Play. Our FREE Spring Summit for knowledge, community and inspiration in the homeschool and parenting community. How To Be An Awesome Homeschooler Summit ~ March 24th See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Build Your Community~How To Be An Awesome Homeschooler  Have you ever felt  disconnected from community? Even more so now that you homeschool?  Are there times when you feel like your ideas on learning and living your family life are too different from others around you?  Do you want to connect wth others that "get you"? Do you want to build your community? Kelly Edwards and I have been in your shoes. As homeschool parents we have felt like taking the leap to home educate has isolated us at times. It has also connected us to others who we may have not ever considered as community otherwise.   In this episode Kelly and I talk about our origin stories as homeschooling parents. We also share how we connected as friends in need of community.  We also share: What community can look like for homeschoolers  How community can challenge us Ways to build community And we talk about one of our favourite communities of all~ How To Be An Awesome Homeschooler How To Be An Awesome Homeschooler 2023~Purpose.Persist.Play Purpose. Persist. Play. This is the third year of our homeschool summit, How To Be An Awesome Homeschooler. We are bringing the powerful "P"'s.  Join us March 24th for Purpose. Persist. Play. If you are looking to learn more about homeschooling, unschooling, self directed learning, parenting, self improvement and just being awesome in general- we've got you :) This year's summit is another impactful day of community, inspiration and learning. Join Kelly Edwards of the 90 Minute School Day as we gather, learn and reflect on supporting our Neurodiverse children in her workshop on Neurodiversity in our Home Education. Connect with the iconic Julie Bogart of Bravewriter on how and what we choose to PERSIST.  Get clarity and comfort from Leah Boden of Modern Miss Mason when we guide with PURPOSE.  Be inspired on the value of PLAY with parent educator Mr. Chazz. Then spend time with me and some really awesome self directed teens in my workshop on Self Directed Teens.  Resources How To Be An Awesome Homeschooler~ register on our website for the FREE summit and receive a wonderful digital Swagbag filled with goodies and resources for your home learning journey.  You can also purchase tickets of the summit recordings, keynote pdf's and extra VIP goodies. (Early bird sale on now) Connect with my community on Clubhouse~ Honey! I'm Homeschooling Club to get in on the pre-summit action. (And meet over 2500 parents that are in the thick of homeschooling or learning more about it before they take the plunge) Kelly Edwards~ 90 Minute School Day Check out my interview with Shannon Loucks that I referenced in this episode. Or listen to my interviews with previous summit keynotes~ Dr. Gina Riley, Rachel Rainbolt, Demetria Giles, Ainsley Arment, Leah McDermott, Karema Akilah, Karen Ricks, Julie Bogart, Leah Boden and my friend and summit co-creator, Kelly Edwards. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Unschooling Q&A How do I talk about Unschooling with my family and friends? In Unschooling we can focus on following my children's interests but what happens when my child is not interested in anything and they are doing nothing all day? How do we go from the structure of school to freedom? What is the transition to independence?  We Unschool but I have a child that wants to do workbooks. What do I do because this doesn't seem like Unschooling!? How do we know when to trust, when to guide from a distance and when to intervene?  Am I enough to do this homeschooling or unschooling thing?  Have any of these questions crossed your mind? I am sure that at-least one of these has come up for you when it comes to unschooling, or homeschooling.  Answers In This Episode This episode is a recording of a wonderful LIVE discussion that Liana Francisco and I hosted in my club, Honey! I'm Homeschooling on the Clubhouse app. We asked for questions from families that needed support or wanted to just learn more about Unschooling and we devoted a month within the club to deep dive and answer as many questions as we could.  We received so much positive feedback from this conversation that I decided it was time to share it on the podcast.  Who is this episode for?  This episode is for you if you are looking at the unschooling world and like what you see, but are just not sure if it will fit.  This episode is for you if you have begun the unschooling journey but need more confidence or encouragement. This episode is for you if you recognize you need to do something different with your family learning life, but are just not sure what yet. Could unschooling be something to consider?  This episode is for you if you have been loving your unschooling journey so far, but feel like you are the only one and need to hear from others that are living it. (It takes a village or a community, doesn't it?) Resources​ How To Be An Awesome Homeschooler- March 24th  Honey! I'm Homeschooling Club on Clubhouse app Enjoyed my conversation with Liana? Then listen to her first interview on my show~ Growing Up Unschooled I mentioned my interview with Roya Dedeaux in this episode. You can listen to that wonderful episode HERE.  Thank You To Our Sponsor! Our podcast sponsors allow us to continue to offer information, insight and encouragement to you for free!  Thank you to our sponsor, Storitopia. STORITOPIA is a podcast app created for kids. It’s a space where parents, kids and caregivers can discover the best kids’ podcasts.  STORITOPIA is an incredible tool to help educate and entertain your curious kids. Discover wonderfully whimsical stories, uncover shocking science facts and learn the history of everything from Hypatia to hot dogs!   Discovery starts as soon as you download the STORITOPIA app. Find it in the apple app store or at storitopia.com And this app is FREE. Talk about an affordable, accessible way to build your home learning resource library.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Building Joy~The Power of Play & Partnership  Shannon Loucks considers herself a fierce defender of childhoods. Ever since her first job, she has sought out opportunities to be in the presence of children as they explore the world around them. From babysitter, to camp counselor, to a Degree in Education, to finally landing as a full time witness of fun to two boys who have become her greatest teachers. Each of these opportunities led Shannon to believe in the power of play and partnership as a way to bring about more joy with a by-product of love into the lives of those who hold the biggest spaces in our hearts. Shannon joined me on this episode to talk about raising self directed people (she's a mom to grown unschoolers), play and partnership in parenting and the ways that we can build joy into childhood.  In This Episode Fear and worry seem to be our constant companions as parents. Especially for those of us homeschoolers that feel that also carry the extra responsobility of educating our children without school. But before she came on my show, I had recently read Shannon's book, Love More~ 50+ way to build joy into childhood. It's a beautiful yet simple read that shows how it doesn't have to be fear and worry but love, fun and joyful by the simple everyday things we can do with our kids.  So in this episode, I wanted to find out more from Shannon about what this looked like in her family's life and how they were able to stay connected through the years.  We talked about: Why homeschooling or unschooling does not guarantee you'll get the perfect relationship with your child How To Stay Connected To Our Kids What it means to partner instead of have "power over" The fear of unschooling- permissive parenting and the difference between permissive parenting vs present parenting Reflections from her kids as young adults that grew up in a self directed learning home~ what would the change, keep and their transitions to college Their Family Mission Statement and how they build it Her book, Love More~ 50 + Ways To Build Joy Into Childhood Resources Shannon's website~ https://breakingdaylight.org/ Shannon's Book Love More~ 50 + Ways To Build Joy Into Childhood Life Is Good Unschooling Conference Sir Ken Robinson Ted Talk~ Do Schools Kill Creativity?  If you would like to hear from parents with grown unschoolers, listen to my interview with Pam Laricchia ~ Exploring Unschooling Check out our Third How To Be An Awesome Homeschooler Summit, March 24th 2023~ Purpose, Persist & Play Thank you Sponsors! Our podcast sponsors allow us to continue to offer information, insight and encouragement to you for free!  Thank you to our sponsor, Storitopia. STORITOPIA is a podcast app created for kids. It's a space where parents, kids and caregivers can discover the best kids' podcasts.  STORITOPIA is an incredible tool to help educate and entertain your curious kids. Discover wonderfully whimisical stories, uncover shocking science facts and learn the history of everything from Hypatia to hot dogs!   Discover starts as soon as you download the STORITOPIA app. Find it in the apple app store or at storitopia.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to Season 7! Season 6 was a focus on Deschooling. It was a look back and reflection on our beliefs, expectations and what's most important to us.  Season 7 is a shift. We are moving from pause and reflection to action.  Having our why lead our way. You may know that I often reference the learning journey to being on a family road trip. We are on this adventure together and everyone has a different reason for taking a family road trip. Some may have a specific destination that they want to reach. Others may just want to enjoy the journey and experiences together. The road can be smooth sailing for a while. But we may also encounter a few bumps in the road. We may get lost along the way. We may take longer to reach a destination than we originally planned. We may even want to get out the car and take a break from each other.  So in this season of our road trip, we are taking our road map back out and checking to see if we are still on track. Is the destination or reason why we are travelling still meaningful to us? Have it shifted and do we need to make any shifts?  Is there a new path to take, or are we continuing on the road we have been on the past year? What about our children? What are their reflections as to where they are on this "road trip". Resources Season 7 will be a shift for my family and this podcast in many ways as well. I will be stepping back a little more this season. I share a little bit on this episode about making greater space and time for my most important priority, my family.  But I am still providing an abundant amount of resources for you to access, learn from and be inspired by. Clubhouse- A large volume of recorded discussions and interviews. Go HERE to listen for FREE or join Honey! I'm Homeschooling Club. Patreon~ My Patreon community offers resources, videos, downloads and Live Q&A with me each month.  One-on-One Homeschool Coaching with me Masterclass~ Message me to get on the waitlist How To Be An Awesome Homeschooler SummitSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Modern Miss Mason: Leah Boden​ Leah Boden is a mom to 4 kids and a long time home educator. She is a speaker, a podcast host, homeschool coach and runs workshops sharing the beauty of a Charlotte Mason approach to childhood, motherhood and education. She and her family live in the West Midlands, England. Leah's new book, Modern Miss Mason is your invitation into an adventure where Leah shows you the fresh face of an age-old perspective on motherhood, childhood and education. And no, you do not have to be a follower of Charlotte Mason to read her book. No matter what educational and learning path you prescribe to, this book and Leah's ideas are universal. It will breath life and beauty back into childhood and your home education.  In This Episode As a young mother and new home educator, Leah was overwhelmed by the breadth of available resources. How to know which to choose? Curriculum or no curriculum? What would best guide and inspire her children? Whose voices should she trust?  That's when she discovered the timeless work and words of Charlotte Mason. Leah knew that Charlotte Mason's approach and method fit what their family was looking for in the learning journey ahead.  In this episode Leah shares with me how and why she continues to find joy, wonder and curiosity in their learning life. We discuss their learning life today, her wonderful book and "how our internal work affects our external world".  As in her book, Modern Miss Mason, we break it down into:  Reframing Motherhood-the correlation between how refreshed mothers are and their ability to trust childhood. If mothers can learn to do for ourselves  what we do for our children. We discuss tools to avoid or come out of burnout and overwhelm. Reframing Childhood- Children are born persons. Building rhythms. Reframing Education- Sifting through the countless curriculums, information and resources. Knowing what your why. Education is the science of relations. RELATIONSHIPS are key.  If you are new to Charlotte Mason, Leah offers a few recommendations on how to slowly dive into the Charlotte Mason world. Resources​ Leah's book, Modern Miss Mason is well worth the read. You can find it HERE.  Find out more about Leah and her work on her website. Leah's workshops and courses. Listen to my first interview with Leah HERE (Homeschooling Styles: Charlotte Mason with Leah Boden) If you are looking for support from Honey! I'm Homeschooling community, join HERE or book a one-on-one private call with me HERE.  Thank you To Our Sponsor! Sponsors are special to our podcast because it is through their contribution that we can continue to create and curate this podcast, resources and information free for our listeners.  Shout out to this episode's sponsor~ LOME Lome is a digital family organizer that provides magical features to help you mange the chaos. It offers: An incredibly flexible planner that enables you and your family to establish healthy rhythms and communication Magic Import - overwhelmed from endless school and activity emails? Just send these to Lome and it will automatically extract the relevant events and add them to your calendar. Daily Agenda text - get a group text with your spouse that highlights the key events and reminders for the day Simple Meal Planner Chore Charts Routine Trackers - kids can walk through bedtime or morning routines in "Gameboard Mode" Voting - invite the family to decide whats for dinner, (or who would win - dad vs bear?) And of course Calendar integrations: sync Lome with your existing calendars Alongside all these features, Lome offers practical inspiration for healthy household rhythms: A curated bank of ideas for shared fun activities, meaningful conversation topics, healthy habits and routines, and intentional downtime time together. Access this via any browser or just text Lome “convo” or “fun” for instant ideas when you’re feeling uninspired. Lome also partners with experienced experts and families like yours to highlight compelling household routines that real families actually use. Ideas from these creators are featured in the Inspiration Bank and also accessible via a public author profile pages. (You can find Honey! I'm Homeschooling The Kids HERE ) Lome was built by Dads for families like yours. For a limited time, sign up for Lome and secure a forever FREE account. Head to withlome.com/planner to learn more and sign up See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reflections For The Homeschooling Year As we get closer to the end of season 6, I invite you to take a moment of pause and reflection. Season 6 began as a time and place to step further into Deschooling and growing without school or the easily recognized beliefs and structure of school. We explored  Deschooling and Growing Without School Conscious Parenting Teens and Unschooling~What that can look like Minimalism Defining Success Resilience Supporting Passions Natural Learning Resources Critical Thinking  Preparing For Adulthood And MORE In This Episode And Season No matter where you live in the world, I find that December is a great time to pause, check our "roadmap", reset our personal and family compass and open our hearts to the relationships around us.  In this episode I share a favourite short story as a way to look at what we do, the choices we make and the challenges that we face in our daily lives. It's called, Who's Packing Your Parachute? It's a true story about a retired US Army Pilot who was a prisoner of war. His story is not one of heartbreak, but of reflection, appreciation and support. We all have people in our lives that helped us or "packed our parachutes" along the way. We do this daily as homeschooling and unschooling parents. Our children's parachutes are not built on academics. Everyone, including the learners in our home requires mental, physical, emotional and spiritual "parachutes". We call on all of these to help us reach safety. I ask you to take a little time this end of season to reflect and consider your personal needs as a parent and who can possibly help support these needs.  And I also ask that you take time to pause, reflect and appreciate. Which people in our lives have we possibly overlooked or failed to notice have been packing important parachutes for us?  Resources Here are a few resources and recommendations~ Podcasts, Books and other Support Look For The Helpers~Parenting And Being Human- Podcast episode with Dr. David Irvine Look For The Helpers~ Mothering The Mother with Amanda Curmi Empowering Families with Yolonda Coles Jones Have you checked out my club, Honey! I'm Homeschooling on the clubhouse app? I have a large collection of interviews and replays of specific topics and conversation on homeschooling, unschooling, learning, education, family life and parenting. For FREE.  Still feeling overwhelmed? Receive one-on-one support through my homeschool coaching~ https://imhomeschooling.com/coaching/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Landmark Study: Parents Want Independent Meaningful Learning What do parents want in their child’s learning experiences? Self-Directed Education: Landmark Research on Family and Student Interests and Needs, the first US national study of its kind, provides key insight into what parents want, suggesting that millions are open to and desire expanding  ways of learning. In fact, this study shows that nearly 19 million families are searching for a better learning experience for their children. More than ever, families across the nation are open to exploring alternatives to their current choice in education.  We Are Born To Learn~ Self Directed Education Mosaic is a global digital platform and community that supports independent, meaningful learning. Th goal of Mosaic is to empower individuals, families and communities through shared resources, thought leadership, and relationships. One of the recent resources that Mosaic launched was a large national study that delved into what parents want in their child's learning experiences. The answer was overwhelming. The biggest interest was in Self Directed Education  Parents are looking for their kids to be more actively engaged in the learning process.  In this episode I speak with Bonnie Benjamin-Phariss, the Interim Executive Director of Mosaic and Bill Vesneski, Head Researcher on the study.  We explore: The research What parents want and  what parents don't want Why a study like this is so needed How it means to be actively engaged in the learning process The top goals that parents share or want to see If you would like to learn more about the study, go to weareborntolearn.org The National Survey On Self Direction Executive Summary can be found HERE.  Resources​ If you would like additional resources and information on Self Directed Education, then check out Dr. Peter Gray and Dr. Gina Riley.  Dr. Gray and Dr. Riley have worked together to survey, research and write about self directed education and unschooling.  The Journal Of Unschooling and Alternative Learning  Unschooling: Exploring Learning Beyond The Classroom is the first academic publication on Unschooling.  Connect with community and join us on Patreon! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How Are You Able To Work And Homeschool? With Erika Brown “How are you able to work AND homeschool your boys?” Erika Brown is asked this question at least once a week as they are out and about meeting people. Unfortunately, society pushes the idea that women must either work outside of the home or stay at home. The idea of doing both seems to be a foreign concept. Erika chooses to reject that ideology while being a part of a generation that blazes new trails and refuses to settle. Erika Brown leveraged her lucrative career in Real Estate to create the financial opportunity to unschool her boys. This journey has come with its share of difficulties, yet those times are trumped by the experiences and knowledge her boys are gaining. Erika invites you to follow her family as they use their businesses to assist in the unschooling process and educational journeys of their boys. In This Episode If you want to hear both practical tips and deep reflections on how we choose to live and learn, then you will love this interview. In this episode Erika and I talked about the Joys and Challenges of unschooling and being a full time working parent and entrepreneur.  We talked about: Teens and Social Needs The Continual Deschooling Process The Values that overlap in Unschooling and Entrepreneurship~ Questioning the standard and wanting to solve it.  How she uses 3 month rotating routines to help balance work days and having 3 kids at home unschooling Mindset and Communicating Needs Erika breaks down what a week looks like in a 3 month season for their family  The power of intentional conversations and teamwork Unschooling With Teens Self Directed Learning, Connection and Confidence Erika leaves us with wonderful advice to the parents that want to homeschool and work or build a business. Her experience and knowledge in this life is worth learning from.  Resources Connect with Erika through Instagram @erikabinvestor Erika’s Blog~ https://www.erikab.co/blog Follow Erika’s sons bakery on Instagram~Brown Brothers Bakery  Want to hear more about Unschooling and Entrepreneurship? Check out my episode with Stacey Piercey~Unschooling And Entrepreneurship or my episode with Unschooled Entrepreneur Isabelle Robledo~Homeschooling and Mindfulness Listen to Honey! I’m Homeschooling Club Replays on Challenges~ Unschooling Challenges & Connection Over Academics Join our Patreon Community. This month our special Q&A guest is Cindy Gaddis See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Will Unschooling leave my kids unprepared for the adult world?  This is a question or fear that weighs on the minds of parents that are considering unschooling or are even possibly already involved in living an unschooled life.Parents always want the best for their kids. They want the most for their kids and the thought that our choices will cause detriment to their futures can be a heavy burden to carry.  But this is a question that I have also heard from parents sending their kids to school! Will sending my children to school in this fast changing world leave them unprepared for the adulthood?  So in this episode I tackle this question from the perspective of~ What do our children really need in order to be prepared for adulthood? If they are to be successful in their careers, in the job world and as human beings, what is required?  What Do They Need To Be Prepared For Adulthood? When I define the term "unschooling" or answer questions about it, I usually base it on definitions around how it applies to learning within a framework of school defined learning and work produced from it. A definition I usually refer to is that unschooling is the learner choosing the how, what, where and when of their own learning. And the why is their own.  But this definition misses a big part of what unschooling is based on. (And the detailed, more involved explanation) Unschooling is so much more than how it can be or cannot be like school style learning. Unschooling is based on a foundation of trust and safety. It is based on supporting and helping to build the capacity to work on some of our most complex problems~Relationships. Relationships with others and with ourselves.  Unschooling is creating an environment where the learner feels part of a positive relationship where they feel safe to explore, be curious, ask questions, try new things, make mistakes, backtrack and pivot. It is working within a framework that allows space and time to practice competence in something that is meaningful to the learning, even if that thing may not be as meaningful to the parent.  As I was reading about the skills, knowledge and competencies that our world requires and will continue to require I see a common thread.  The work force, employers and industry are seeing a lack of skills from young people. These skills are not math facts or essay writing. They are not dates in history or or other hard knowledge.  They are what many term the 'soft" skills that are not as easily quantifiable for data like grades and scores can be. Skills and Social Emotional Learning 79% of employers say social-emotional skills are the most important qualities for job success.  Employers are citing skills such as adaptability, collaboration, independence, life skills and self regulation as needed.  And it's not just employers that require these skills for the job. These social-emotional skills are important to just begin navigating the job market and prepare for work that did not exist even a few years ago!  Here is an enlightening conclusion to another study: There was a mismatch between the education sector's perception of skills demand and that of the work sector. What does that mean? "While the education sector believes that it prepares students well for the labor market by focusing on basic cognitive and technical skills development, the study find that employers have a different view of the most important skills for labor market success and where the principle gaps are." What Can We Do As Unschoolers And Self Directed Learners? I know our concern can be focused on our children missing out if we don't get them to memorize their multiplication tables by a certain age or have every sign of the periodic table under their belt. Or be able to blast off an essay on the merits of - you fill in the blanks-.  But a lot of what we can do to help them be prepared for the adult world is love them for who they are. Not what they are producing. The measure of your parent worth is not on your children's grades or the awards that they receive.  Support your kids in experiencing life and demonstrating compassion.  Be part of community. Allow them to volunteer, work and gain a wider perspective of the world.  Build your positive relationships Engage in not just discussion but also active listening with your kids Listen to who they are and what they represent. What are they proud of? What are some things that they love about themselves? Share in the joys of others Have conversations about key social situations. In what ways can they ask for help? Or show gratitude?  Help connect our older children with mentors, professionals or organizations Create a soft framework or rhythms in your home. Rhythms that create connection and allow our kids to feel capable on their own.  Let our children know that what they do and say is valuable Resources Studies Referenced on Social Emotional Learning Employer Voices, Employer Demands, and Implications for Public Skills Development Policy Connecting the Labor and Education Sectors The Economic Value Of Social and Emotional Learning https://www.cfchildren.org/what-is-social-emotional-learning/work/ Podcast Episodes: Skills Homeschoolers Need For The Future The Right Side Of Normal And Honouring Our Individual Learners with Cindy Gaddis Social Emotional Learning with Dr. Lorea Martinez Learning, Partnering and Parenting With Teens with Lainie Liberti Direct Homeschool Support and Community Homeschool Coaching Support Join Our CommunitySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.