Episodes
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Today, on my birthday, I’m chatting about ageing, experimenting, taking risks, encouraging others, and other things. Show Notes
I mentioned:
The Self Directed podcast with the Conrads
Episode 65 of the Self Directed podcast: Sue Elvis / Stories of an Unschooling Family
The Unschooling Together community
Podcast episode 3, Getting Older, Admitting One’s Age, Lines and Wrinkles
The Video Version of this episode on YouTube
My Unschooling Books
Curious Unschoolers: Kindle
Curious Unschoolers: paperback
Radical Unschool Love: Kindle
Radical Unschool Love: paperback
The Unschool Challenge: Kindle
The Unschool Challenge: paperback
My Amazon Author Page
Where You Can Find Me
Unschooling Community
The Unschooling Together community
Youtube
Sue Elvis
Blogs
Stories of an Unschooling Family
Wholy Souly
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/stories_ofan_unschoolingfamily/stories_ofan_unschoolingfamily
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I’m back with my author daughter Imogen!
In this episode, we’re chatting about…
Writing and how Imogen is promoting and selling her YA novelsCollaboration and how we achieve more when we work togetherThe ups and downs of social mediaWe also share some news and tell a couple of stories, including the one about my frightening Frida Kahlo eyebrows!
Show Notes
We mentioned
The Virtual Kitchen Table podcast
The Self Directed podcast with the Conrads
The Unschooling Together community
The Christian Unschooling group and Zoom discussions within the Unschooling Together community.
Writing podcasts with Imogen: episodes 181 and 183
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
The Unschooling Together community
Youtube
Sue Elvis
Blogs
Stories of an Unschooling Family
Wholy Souly
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/stories_ofan_unschoolingfamily/stories_ofan_unschoolingfamily
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!
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Missing episodes?
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This week, I’m talking about:
Desires and Expectations
Are desires good? Are expectations about control? Can our expectations spoil our family celebrations?
Challenges
Should we give our kids space to set their own challenges? Do we need to challenge ourselves too?
Books
Do people judge us on our book choices? Can sharing the books we’re reading lead to some stimulating unschooling conversations?
The Santa Myth
Is it wrong to pretend Santa brings gifts to our kids? Is that lying? Should we eliminate Santa from our Christmas celebrations? Or is it possible to include the magic of Santa with the true meaning of the season?
2023
What were the highs and lows of my year? Does blogging about our kids lead to problems? Should adults make time for their passions and interests? Can we feel lost when our kids grow up? How do we move on? What do we do while we’re working out what to do next? Is it important we’re successful in a big way?
Stories
I’m sharing a story about books, people’s opinions, and the difficulties of parenting: Is it Risky to Share Our Book Collections? What Will People Think?
I’m also sharing a story about the Santa myth and family traditions from my book, The Unschool Challenge.
Please visit my blog, Stories of an Unschooling Family, to leave a comment or say hello.
This is my last episode for 2023. Thank you for listening. I hope you have a very happy Christmas!
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
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This week, I’m talking about right and wrong…
If we think something is right, should we do it? Do we have to push through any difficulties we might encounter? Perhaps we can’t give up unless we’re willing to do something we know is wrong. And if we do that, we won’t feel at peace.
The big question is: is unschooling the right thing to do? If it is, we shouldn’t be concerned about the future. Whatever happens, regardless of the outcome, we’ll know we did what we should have done.
Also, how do kids learn right from wrong if we always love them regardless of their behaviour? Are the critics right? Are unschooling parents irresponsible? Or do our strong connections allow us to guide our kids?
I have lots of stories and comments to share with you!
Show Notes
Please visit my blog Stories of an Unschooling Family, to read my blog post, Unschooling: Doing What Is Right. It contains this episode’s 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
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Do good parents stay firmly in control of their children, demanding obedience, good behaviour and respect? Do they practise tough love? Or are there problems with this method of parenting? Is there some other way of raising kids to be good people who want to do what is right? Is it okay to parent with unconditional love?
This week, I’m sharing a few stories on this topic. I also have a request or plea for help.
Show Notes
Please visit my blog, Stories of an Unschooling Family, to read my post, Tough or Unconditional Love?Parent or Friend? It contains today’s 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
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Is unschooling about drifting aimlessly through each day?
Do unschoolers waste time? Or do they live intentionally responding to their needs and making sure they achieve the things that are relevant and important to them?
Do unschoolers direct their lives instead of letting life direct them? Is that the meaning of true freedom?
Does the word ‘planning’ have a place in unschooling?
This week, I’m discussing these questions and more while telling a few stories.
Show Notes
Please visit my blog, Stories of an Unschooling Family, to read my post, Do Unschoolers Drift Aimlessly Through Each Day? It contains today’s 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
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It is what it is. An interesting episode or not. I don’t suppose it matters. All that’s important is love.
Show Notes
Please visit my blog, Stories of an Unschooling Family, to read my post, Preventing Childhood Trauma with Unconditional Love. It contains today’s 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
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Is it irresponsible to trust and unschool teenagers? When unschoolers reach the teenage years, is it time for something else? Or could unschooling be exactly what our older kids need? Could it keep them safe?
This week, I’m discussing these questions and more, sharing lots of thoughts, stories and resources.
Show Notes
Please visit my blog, Stories of an Unschooling Family, to read my post, Could Unschooling Be Exactly What Teenagers Need to Do? It contains today’s 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
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Should children be responsible for their own educations? Or is that an irresponsible idea?
This week, I’m exploring lots of questions including:
Is learning an active activity that needs the learner’s cooperation? Is it impossible to force knowledge into a child without resorting to teaching methods that ultimately destroy their natural love of learning?
Is forced learning real learning?
Is it better to unschool and let children learn what’s important to them?
But if we choose unschooling, will our kids, one day, accuse us of side-stepping our duty and not providing them with a good education?
Show Notes
Please visit my blog, Stories of an Unschooling Family, to read my post, Who Should Be Responsible for a Child’s Education, the Parent or the Child? It contains today’s 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
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Is unschooling about staying in bed late, spending lazy days in the forest, and baking cookies? Or is there more to unschooling than that? What does a typical unschooling day look like? Will it be different in different families? Will it change over time? Whatever it looks like, will it always be packed with deep learning, the kind that matters and makes a difference?
I discuss these questions and more in episode 197.
Show Notes
Please visit my blog, Stories of an Unschooling Family, to read my post, What Do Unschoolers Do Each Day? It contains today’s show notes.
My Unschooling Books
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
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Are kids more likely to suffer mental health problems if they experience excessive control?
Could video games provide safe spaces for kids to retreat to when life becomes too difficult?
If we insist kids leave their games and they get upset, could it be the real world that we’re forcing them to return to that’s the problem and not the video games?
And if kids do have genuine trouble handling games and protest loudly when we take them away, how will they learn to deal with their feelings if they’re not allowed to play?
I discuss these questions and more in episode 196.
Show Notes
Please visit my blog, Stories of an Unschooling Family, to read my post, Video Games, Control, Mental Health and Freedom. It contains today’s show notes.
My Unschooling Books
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
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This week, I’m going back to basics: I’m discussing the question, What is Unschooling? I’m also sharing several stories to illustrate my definition:
What Is Unschooling?
Why Unschooling Isn’t a Method of Homeschooling
What Is Unschooling? A Transcript
I also share some links to other unschoolers’ definitions of unschooling.
Show Notes
Please visit my blog, Stories of an Unschooling Family, to read my post, Unschool Basics: What Is Unschooling? It contains today’s show notes.
My Unschooling Books
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
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This week, I'm discussing chores. How do we encourage our kids to be generous and willing workers?
I’m sharing two stories:
How to Get Kids to Do the Chores
The Radical Chore Roster
Please visit my blog, Stories of an Unschooling Family, to read my post, Can Radical Unschoolers Use Chore Rosters? It contains today’s show notes.
My Unschooling Books
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
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This week, I’m sharing a blog post, Should We Push Kids to Use Their Talents, Aim High and Impress?
This post includes stories about people who have followed the pathway desired by their parents and ended up unhappy. And there’s one story about a man who, despite achieving the necessary grades to study medicine or law, chose to become a high school teacher.
I’ve included lots of links to books, videos and other resources. Please visit my blog, Stories of an Unschooling Family, to read my post and look at these links.
And I’d love you to check out my unschooling books, Curious Unschoolers, Radical Unschool Love, and The Unschool Challenge, which you can find on Amazon!
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In episode 192 of my Stories of an Unschooling Family podcast, I talked about:
Homework for LifeGenerating writing ideasCreating second brainsHomeschool records, including strewing and planning notebooks and family journalsSocial media and other online distractionsAlso:
I shared Matthew Dicks’ book, Storyworthy and Tiago Forte’s book, Building a Second Brain.I told two stories of my life, one about a kangaroo and the other about trees topped with a bright green fuzz of new leaves.I read my blog post, The Writing Game: No Shortage of Writing Ideas.And I discussed the note-taking apps, Apple Notes, Evernote and Notion.Please visit my blog, Stories of an Unschooling Family to read the associated post that includes a list of resources.
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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
The Word on Fire Institute YouTube channel
God and Gaming video series
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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!
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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 communityHow change can stretch us, and how we learn when we have an interest or a needVideo gaming and what I've learnt since I became a video gamerMy new children's novel, The Angels of Wallaby Way!Perfectionism, and the fear of criticism, and Marco Polo video messagesThe value of feedback, encouragement, and the most important people in our livesShow NotesBlog 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
Thank you for listening to this episode!
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This week, Imogen and I are discussing:
The value of casual work and lower profile jobsHow our kids can surprise usJobs and passionsWhy we need to promote our workHow to answer critics and critique other people’s workThe importance of helping each otherJane Austen, Sanditon and BridgertonAgeingAnd 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!
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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 HeroInspiration and different ways of telling a storyHow we can work together, share our skills, and help each otherThe Catholic Homeschool Conference (I'm a speaker!)News of two soon-to-be-produced unschooling podcastsShow 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!
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