Pam Laricchia's Blog, page 22
November 27, 2019
EU204: Q&A with Anna and Pam
Anna Brown joins me this week to dive into listener questions.
Question Summaries
The first question is about deschooling and moving to unschooling. She has two boys and they have always homeschooled. They’ve been looking at moving to unschooling. She’s been reading and researching and she’s feeling a little bit overwhelmed. The main focus of her question was around Deschooling. Do they need it? What does it look like? How does unschooling begin?
Our second question is about parent’s intuition. She’s listened to most of podcasts episodes and a number of Q&As and understands the perspective most the guests come from, but has left some of those talks feeling uncomfortable. She says that so many times she’s heard moms speak on the podcast that it was their intuition that guided them to attachment parenting or a different way of living with their children and how their intuition led them to unschooling. Yet, when they speak of their concerns around things like technology use or food choices, it feels in the podcast that their intuition is now being dismissed. She feels that there seems to be little respect for moms having a gut instinct about how their particular child is responding to video games, etc. And there seems to be a dismissal of the parent’s intuition, but it was praised when the parent trusted it way back when.
Question three was sent in by someone with a four-year-old who’s currently in a Waldorf pre-school, and she wants to know if it’s possible to unschool when both parents are working outside of the home.
Question four asks, “Do I have to choose between my aspirations and the needs of my children? Because I think I will be a better mom and role model if I can still pursue my calling in the arts at least part time while giving my kids what they need to thrive.” There is also another aspect about anxiety and not knowing whether it was school-related.
Things mentioned in the episode
Everything I need to know I learned from video games (article mentioned)
EU032: Choosing School with Alex Polikowsky
EU197: Choosing School, Part 2 with Alex Polikowsky
EU45: Unschooling on a Budget with Glenna McAulay
Blake Boles’ book, College without High School
EU201: Unschooling and Self-care with Erika Ellis
Episode transcript
November 20, 2019
EU203: School’s out. Now what? Part 2
School’s out. Now what? Choosing to step off the conventional education path and leave school behind is often the culmination of a long, and sometimes emotional, process. But, in the bigger picture, it’s really just the first step on your new path.
School’s Out is a curated collection of some of my published articles, in an order that I think aligns well with the unschooling journey. I also had a lot of fun putting them together, magazine-style, in the PDF edition, as well as creating more streamlined ebook editions.
And now, with more and more people enjoying audio content, I thought it was high time I created an audio version as well! However, with ten articles, I split it into two parts for the podcast. You can listen to Part 1 here.
If you’d like to download the free ebook edition (PDF, epub, or mobi), you can get it here: download the School’s Out ebook
Or, you’re welcome to read the articles individually on my website:
Nurturing Curiosity [ en español: Alentando la Curiosidad ]
Choosing to Quit [ en español: Eligiendo Renunciar ]
I Can Read, You Know! [ en español: “Puedo Leer, Sabes!” ]
What Does Unschooling Mean to Me? [ en español: ¿Qué significa Unschooling para mí? ]
November 13, 2019
EU202: Unschooling and Connected Relationships with Liza Swale
Liza Swale joins me to talk about her unschooling journey and the value of connected relationships. She shares some amazing stories of trusting, being open, and following the flow. We also dive into what she’s learned about staying connected with her two children, who have very different needs and personalities, and how they prioritize connecting as a family.
Questions for Liza
Can you share with us a bit about you and your family?
What did your family’s move to unschooling look like?
What has been one of the more challenging aspects of deschooling for you and how have you worked through it?
Strong, connected relationships with our kids are valuable for unschooling to flow. Can you share some ways you nurture those connections?
Another key aspect of unschooling is supporting our kids as they pursue their interests. In fact, that also helps builds trust and connection with them, doesn’t it? Have you seen that in action with your kids?
What is your favourite thing about your unschooling days right now?
Things mentioned in the episode
Their farm’s website: Earth’s Harvest Farm
Episode Transcript
November 6, 2019
EU201: Unschooling and Self Care with Erika Ellis
Erika Ellis joins me this week to talk about the very important topic of self care. Of course, we look at the topic through the lens of unschooling, dispelling some myths and letting go of some “shoulds” about how to take care of ourselves. Erika shares so many practical, easy to use tips to help bring calm and peace to each moment. I’d love to hear your favorite tips in the comments!
Questions for Erika
Can you share with us a bit about you and your family?
Now, let’s dive right into the topic of self care. It comes up regularly in unschooling discussions and, through that lens, it can be different from the conventional advice we often hear. I’m excited to dive into that, but first, how do you define self care and why is it important to consider?
Mindset is also an essential aspect of self care, isn’t it? Was there a mindset shift you found valuable as you wove unschooling and self care together?
Can you share some self care activities or tools that we might find helpful for releasing stress and re-energizing?
It can be a bit of a challenge, certainly at first, to figure out ways to fit self care activities into our unschooling days. How has that been working for you?
Do you see your kids absorbing these ideas around self care?
Things mentioned in the episode
Erika was on the podcast, along with Tracy, back in episode 158 about unschooling book clubs.
You can find Erika on Instagram.
And you can find her South Miami Unschooling group on Facebook.
Here’s Erika’s go to resource list
~ Meditation ~
Ten Percent Happier app
Calm app
Insight Timer app
Headspace app
The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer
~ Mind Expanding ~
Atomic Habits by James Clear
Rich Roll Podcast
How to Live a Good Life by Jonathan Fields
Choose the Life You Want by Tal Ben-Shahar
The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown
The Desire Map by Danielle LaPorte
~ Nutrition ~
Plant Proof Podcast with Simon Hill
Clean Food Dirty Girl blog and recipes
Plant-Strong by Rip Esselstyn
Whole by T. Colin Campbell
~ Movement ~
Yoga with Adriene
The Movement with Erin Stutland
Potterhead Running Club
StepBet
Daily Burn
Nerd Fitness
~ Overall Wellness ~
Replenish by Lisa Grace Byrne
Replenish 365 online program by Well Grounded Life
Lighten Up online program by Clean Food Dirty Girl
The Alzheimer’s Solution by Dean and Ayesha Sherzai
The Engine 2 Seven-Day Rescue Diet by Rip Esselstyn
Episode transcript
October 30, 2019
EU200: Unschooling in Context with Anna Brown
It’s the 200th episode!!! What a wonderful journey it’s been!
This week Anna Brown joins me for another Unschooling In Context episode. We explore the idea of deschooling and how it fits in the larger context of unschooling. We talk about language, our values, ideas that we can let go and so much more. Anna and I really enjoy these Unschooling in Context chats—we hope you do as well!
Discussion Points
The concept of beginner’s mind is a valuable place to start for deschooling.
Deschooling our understanding of learning: eventually you’ll be seeing it everywhere.
Deschooling our language: there are words that will likely fade out of your vocabulary as you move from deschooling to unschooling.
Deschooling our relationships with our kids: they are so much more capable than society gives them credit for.
Deschooling our values: what do we hold dear?
In unschooling groups, we often see some version of this question posted: ‘What is the correct unschooling answer to this situation?’
“Am I finished deschooling?”
Episode transcript
October 24, 2019
EU199: Unschooling Stories with Holly Johnson
Holly Johnson is an unschooling mom with two children, and her family is currently traveling the world together! How they got to that place is an amazing story. We dive into the choice to remove a child from school, helping an anxious child, hacking their lives to suit themselves, and how unconditional acceptance and love is always the answer.
Questions for Holly
Can you share with us a bit about you and your family?
Your family’s journey started with your son in school, as did ours. What were some of the challenges he experienced there?
How did the choice to begin homeschooling come about? And how did that evolve into unschooling?
Can you share a bit about your experience helping children navigate challenges like fear and anxiety?
I’d love to hear the story behind the children’s picture book you’re close to publishing, and where it’s taken you!
At this point on your journey, what do you love most about having chosen to embrace unschooling?
Things mentioned in the episode
Learn more about Holly’s book, The Happiness Seed, at her website.
Find Holly on Instagram
Episode Transcript
October 16, 2019
EU198: School’s out. Now what? Part 1
School’s out. Now what? Choosing to step off the conventional education path and leave school behind is often the culmination of a long, and sometimes emotional, process. But, in the bigger picture, it’s really just the first step on your new path. Welcome!
School’s Out is a curated collection of some of my published articles, in an order that I think aligns well with the unschooling journey. I also had a lot of fun putting them together, magazine-style, in the PDF edition, as well as creating more streamlined ebook editions.
And now, with more and more people enjoying audio content, I thought it was high time I created an audio version as well! However, with ten articles, I’ve split it into two parts for the podcast. Part 2 will come out next month.
If you’d like to download the free ebook edition (PDF, epub, or mobi), you can get it here: download the School’s Out ebook
Or, you’re welcome to read the articles individually on my website:
The Timetable of Learning [ en español: El Horario del Aprendizaje ]
Why Not Yes? [ en español: ¿Por qué no un Si? ]
Finding Patience [ en español: Encontrando Paciencia ]
And if you’re ready to dive even deeper into the personal work that embracing unschooling invites us to do, consider joining Anne Ohman, Anna Brown, and me for the Childhood Redefined Online Unschooling Summit. Enrollment is now OPEN until October 20, 2019.
October 9, 2019
EU197: Choosing School, Part 2 with Alex Polikowsky
Alex Polikowsky joins me to share an update about how her family weaves school and unschooling together. Recently, a listener posted a comment on Alex’s first podcast appearance (almost three years ago) about how much she enjoyed the episode and that she’d love to hear an update. I thought it was a great idea and luckily, Alex was up for it too!
Questions for Alex
Can you share with us a bit about you and your family?
In the last episode, you talked about Gigi’s school experience—she chose to go for a few months when she was nine and in grade four. She really enjoyed it at first, but she satisfied her curiosity and eventually found that she didn’t have enough time outside of school to pursue her interests as much as she wanted. What were some of the interests and things she dove into over the next couple of years?
Gigi chose to attend school part time last year, and then this school year she started full time in grade eight. Can you share the motivation behind her choice this time and how you felt about it?
Last time we spoke, you talked about how you continued to weave unschooling principles into your days. It really is a different experience when they’re choosing to go, isn’t it? And when we continue to choose connection rather than control in our parenting. Have you been able to continue that this time around?
I’d love to hear what Daniel’s been up to the last three years. When we spoke, he was interested in traveling to Japan, maybe as part of an exchange program. Can you share an update with that and what he’s up to now?
It’s only been a few weeks, but how do you find your days flowing as you weave together unschooling Daniel and full-time school for Gigi? Is it challenging to not let school take over your lives?
What has surprised you most about how unschooling has unfolded in your lives so far?
Things mentioned in the episode
Learn more about the Childhood Redefined Unschooling Summit
Listen to Alex’s earlier podcast episode, Choosing School
Jan Hunt’s site, The Natural Child Project
You can find Alex online in the Facebook groups, Unschooling Minnesota and Radical Unschooling Info
Episode transcript
October 2, 2019
EU196: Growing up Unschooling with Katie Patterson
Katie Patterson left school after kindergarten and grew up unschooling. She is an actress, a writer, and an all-around lover of horror. We have a wonderful conversation about her childhood, how her path has unfolded, what she loved about unschooling, and what she’s up to now.
Questions for Katie
Can you share with us a bit about you and your family?
What were some of your interests growing up and how did you pursue them?
We talk pretty regularly on the podcast about giving kids room to fully explore their passions, though sometimes that can stretch our comfort zones. I’d love to hear your perspective!
Looking back, what do you appreciate most about growing up unschooling?
Lots of people worry when kids choose career paths that don’t typically provide stable, reliable income. Have people asked you about creating a Plan B? How do you answer them?
What are you working on right now?
As a grown unschooler, what piece of advice would you like to share with unschooling parents who are just starting out on this journey?
Things mentioned in the podcast
Katie’s current project, a crowd-funding campaign for her short film, Only You
Katie’s active on Twitter and she has a Facebook page
Katie’s sister, Alyssa Patterson was on the podcast as well
Episode transcript
September 25, 2019
EU195: Unschooling Stories with Renee Cabatic
Renee Cabatic, the mother of two unschooled teens, joins me this week to share some wonderful stories from their lives. We dive into passions and comfort zones, college and quitting, agency and self-efficacy, and lots more.
Questions for Renee
Can you share with us a bit about you and your family?
What did your family’s move to unschooling look like?
Many long-time unschooling parents have a story around learning the value of stretching their comfort zones. The spark is usually one of our kids becoming interested in something that makes us feel uncomfortable, or even fearful. Do you have one of those stories?
I regularly get questions from newer unschooling parents about concerns around technology. I’d love to hear how technology like TV, video games, and YouTube, wove through your unschooling days. What was your experience?
One of the valuable paradigm shifts that often happens on the unschooling journey is around the idea of quitting. Conventionally, it’s often seen as a failure or lack of commitment. But there’s another way to look at it, one that’s much more positive. Do you have a quitting story you could share?
Another common concern is that choosing unschooling closes the door to college. I’d love to hear a college story or two!
Looking back, what do you feel has been the most valuable outcome from choosing unschooling all those years ago?
Things mentioned in the Episode
Renee mentioned a couple of unschooling conferences, Free to Be and Life is Good
Episode Transcript
