"Even all the times when it was really, really hard, if I could go back right to the beginning now, I would make exactly the same choices to do it all over again. It's just been the most beautiful experience of my life.”

Today I have the pleasure of sharing Joss Goulden’s reflections on her adult children’s natural learning life. As an aware parenting instructor and parenting coach, Joss is passionate about supporting children and parents to thrive and heal with compassion and connection. In this episode she beautifully espouses how much her family’s homeschooling journey has meant to her. Settle in, pour yourself a cup of tea and let the sage words of encouragement from Joss wash over you.


SUMMARY

• Joss was born in the Phillipines but grew up mostly in the UK. Her father was a diplomat which meant her family travelled a lot and at the age of 8 she was sent to boarding school in the UK, where she stayed for the remainder of her schooling.
• Joss left school with a lot of trauma that she wasn’t aware of at the time but she was interested in people and psychology and how we work as humans and went on to study psychology, human communication science & counselling.
• She and her husband settled in Australia after spending years travelling themselves, and when they decided to have children of their own, Joss dove deep into the attachment and aware parenting philosophies.
• Attachment is the first and most fundamental aspect of aware parenting and what children need in order to thrive is this sense that they are safely connected with another adult who loves them, who cares about their wellbeing, who is tuned into them and is responsive to their needs. Where they feel safe and supported and loved. 
• Attachment, relationship, connection and safety are vitally important for children's well-being.
• How & why homeschooling naturally evolved into natural learning for their family.
• The importance of surrounding yourself with like minded community and how her own community varied and evolved over the years.
• Seeing the value of all kinds of learning equally.
• How Joss navigated the teen years and the natural separation process with the strong foundation of love and support that has guided them throughout.
• The pathways her eldest took getting into TAFE and university.
• It’s okay to take your children out of school. It’s okay to do things differently. 

CONNECT

Instagram - @awareparentingwithjoss

Facebook - Aware Parenting with Joss

Website - awareparenting.com.au

NOTE: This is an abridged version of the show notes.
Follow the link below to find quotes, links and references to all Joss shares in this episode:

FULL SHOW NOTES HERE

Connect with us:
Instagram - @australianhomeschoolstories
Substack - Australian Homeschool Stories

This podcast is recorded on the lands of the Bunurong people of the Kulin nation. I pay my respects to elders past, present and emerging and acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded. This always was, always will be aboriginal land.