Catholic

125: Connecting Unschooling and Ageing

This week, I'm talking about ageing and unschooling. 
I share the reasons why I'm finding my ageing appearance difficult to accept. Maybe you are a lot younger than me. You could think this conversation isn't relevant to you. However, this episode, despite first impressions, is about unschooling. If everyone lived an unschooling way of life, would the problems associated with ageing disappear? Does the world need unschooling?
 
Show Notes
 
Blog posts
Ashamed of Being Ashamed of Looking Older
Playing for Ian
 
Patreon
My Stories of an Unschooling Family Patreon page
 
Instagram
stories_ofan_unschoolingfamily
 
Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider sharing the link so we can spread the word about unschooling. Maybe you'd also like to support my work and receive some exclusive content by becoming a patron. I hope you will!
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Please feel welcome to visit my blog Stories of an Unschooling Family to leave a comment about anything I talked about in this episode. Or just stop by to say hello.
 

124: Does Unschooling Work?

This week, I'm discussing the question Does Unschooling Work? The answer, of course, depends on what we mean by the word 'work'.
I'm also talking about:
 
My fabulous Patreon patrons and the work I hope to do with their help
Camp NaNoWriMo
How kids learn new things when they have a need
How younger siblings think they are just as capable as their older siblings
How sorting out a problem isn't always as difficult as it seems
A new podcast idea which involves collaborating with other unschoolers
 
Show Notes
 
Patreon
My Patreon page
 
My Instagram Account
stories_ofan_unschooling family
 
My Unschooling Newsletter
 
Blog posts
Does the World Needs Unschooling?
Are We Incomplete Without Our Passions and Interests?
 
Youtube channels
Sue Elvis
Imogen Elvis
Sophie Elvis
 
Videos
What is Unschooling?
Mission: Surviving Holy Week
 
Music
Podington Bear's Sound of Picture
 
Writing
'NaNoWriMo
Camp NaNoWriMo
4theWords
 
Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider sharing the link so we can spread the word about unschooling. Maybe you'd also like to support my work by becoming a patron!
.
Please feel welcome to visit my blog Stories of an Unschooling Family to leave a comment about anything I talked about in this episode. Or just stop by to say hello.
 
 

123: Epic Plans for My Podcast and Blog (and Other Things)

This week,
I'm sharing my new BIG idea. I'm joining Patreon! I hope you will join me as I set out on this next chapter of my unschooling adventure.
 
I'm also talking about:
The need for us to take risks
How the world needs unschooling
Instagram
How we shouldn't lose our playful spirit as we grow older
How Sophie filmed a Passion Play on Good Friday
And other Easter news
 
Show Notes
 
Patreon
My Patreon Page
Video: Join Me On My Patreon Adventure
 
My Instagram Account
stories_ofan_unschooling family
 
Blog post
Does the World Needs Unschooling?
 
Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider sharing the link so we can spread the word about unschooling. Maybe you'd also like to support my work by becoming a patron!
.
Please feel welcome to visit my blog Stories of an Unschooling Family to leave a comment on this episode. Or just stop by to say hello.
 
Podcast music: Twombly by Podington Bear, (CC BY-NC 3.0)
 

122: My Unschooling Teenagers' Typical Days

This week, I'm sharing my teenagers' typical unschooling days. I'm discussing the following questions:
 
Is there such a thing as a typical unschooling day?
Can we have too many resources? Do our kids sometimes get overwhelmed by too many possibilities?
Are documentaries and lifestyle TV series a good source of learning adventures?
What TV series have Gemma-Rose and I been enjoying recently?
Why did I initially reject this episode?
 
Show Notes
 
Podcast
Episode 110: An Interview with a Teenage Radical Unschooler
 
Sophie's Youtube Channel
Sophie Elvis
 
Sophie's Vlog Series
A Week in the Life of
 
Videos
Back in Time for Dinner
Further Back in Time for Dinner
Back in Time for the Weekend
The Secrets of Your Food
The Big Family Cooking Showdown
 
Website
Open Learn: Free learning from the Open University
 
 
Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider sharing the link so we can spread the word about unschooling
.
Please feel welcome to visit my blog Stories of an Unschooling Family to leave a comment on this episode. Or just stop by to say hello.
 
Podcast music: Twombly by Podington Bear, (CC BY-NC 3.0)

121: Kids, Needs, and Church

This week, I'm talking about:
 
The importance of trying to see the world through our kids' eyes
How we're not giving in to kids when we respond to their needs
How we should respond to the needs of our kids even if it's inconvenient or difficult
How making kids feel welcome at church isn't a matter of tolerating their crying during the service
Should we force unschooled kids to go to church? Why this might be the wrong question
The trials of aspiring authors
How we have to be brave and do things without worrying about the opinions of others
 
I'm also sharing some stories about:
 
Kangaroos and dogs and the late rising sun
A child who cried in a restaurant because he couldn't cope
 
A Note
When it comes to sharing our faith with our kids, I am talking from my own experience which may be different from yours. My husband Andy and I share a faith. We both go to church. When it comes to passing on our beliefs, I'm sure we have it easy compared to families where spouses have differing religious beliefs or levels of commitment.
 
Show Notes
 
Game-Making Website
Stencyl: Create Amazing Games Without Code
 
Blog Posts
The Wobbly Moments of Life
When A Child Can't Cope
 
Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider sharing the link so we can spread the word about unschooling.
Please feel welcome to visit my blog Stories of an Unschooling Family to leave a comment on this episode. Or just stop by to say hello.
 
Podcast music: Twombly by Podington Bear, (CC BY-NC 3.0)
 

120: Unschooling and University: Learning from Our Own Experiences

This week, I'm sharing my husband Andy's and my university experiences, and what we learnt from them:
 
The Opportunity to Discover, the Freedom to Learn
My Dean's Medallist of a Husband
 
I discuss the following questions:
 
Can unschooled children study successfully at university?
What is the best motivation for successful learning?
Should unschooling teenagers be allowed to continue exploring their interests?
Or should we structure their education in the final years so that they are prepared for university?
Is it ever too late to follow our dreams?
Is it ever too late to learn new skills?
 
Something I didn't mention: If a child knows what she wants to do, making a plan in order to achieve that goal seems to be a sensible thing to do. My daughter Imogen made a plan for getting into university. And it was successful.
 
My Youtube Videos:
Imogen Talks About Unschooling
From Unschooling to University and Work (Part 1)
From Unschooling to University and Work (Part 2)
 
Unschooling and university is a big topic. I didn't cover all aspects of it in this podcast, but maybe I offered a few ideas we can discuss.
 
Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider sharing the link so we can spread the word about unschooling!
Please feel welcome to visit my blog Stories of an Unschooling Family to leave a comment on today's episode. Or just stop by to say hello!
 
Podcast music: Twombly by Podington Bear, (CC BY-NC 3.0)
 

119: When Unschooling Kids Reach the Teenage Years

This week, I'm talking about:
The progress of my unschooling book
How unschooling transforms families
Duty and love
Supporting young adults
How it's hard to admit mistakes and change what we're doing
How it's never too late to unschool
Possible reasons why there's a shortage of older unschooling bloggers
Why we don't need to make rules for our teenagers in order to keep them safe from the dangers of the world
 
Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider sharing the link so we can spread the word about unschooling!
Please feel welcome to visit my blog Stories of an Unschooling Family to leave a comment on today's episode. Or just stop by to say hello!
 
Podcast music: Twombly by Podington Bear, (CC BY-NC 3.0)

118: Dragon Mothers and Parenting Mistakes

 
This week, I'm talking about the times when we don't like who we are and the way we're parenting our kids. I answer the following questions:
How did I get the nickname The Dragon Mother?
How did I get on top of my quick-temper and become a more calm and patient mother?
Am I now a perfect mother or do I still make mistakes?
How did my first child cope with her inexperienced dragon mother? Was she irreversibly affected by my far-from-perfect parenting?
Do we actually need to be perfect parents?
Is the unschooling life perfect?
 
I also tell a lot of stories during this episode.
 
Show Notes
 
Blog posts
Confessions of a Former Quick-Tempered Mother
Memories of an Inexperienced Mother
An Unschooling Imposter
 
Imogen
Youtube channel, Imogen Elvis.
Facebook: Imogen Elvis
Instagram: Imogen Elvis
Imogen's Mad World music video
The Mad World behind-the-scenes video
 
Podcast music 
Twombly by Podington Bear, (CC BY-NC 3.0)
 
Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider writing a review or rating this episode and sharing the link so we can spread the word about unschooling!
Please feel welcome to visit my blog Stories of an Unschooling Family to leave a comment on today's episode. Or just stop by to say hello!

117: Christian Unschooling and Other Things

This week, I'm talking about:
Christmas in summer
Evernote planners
My blogging/podcasting plans for 2018
Christian unschooling
My faith story
Being open-minded
Doing the impossible
Letting go of control
How life can change in a moment
Snakes
Family news
 
Show Notes
 
Blog posts
Bringing God into the Unschooling Picture
Letting Go of Control
An Impossible Adventure
 
Imogen
Youtube channel, Imogen Elvis.
Facebook: Imogen Elvis
Instagram: Imogen Elvis
 
My Youtube channel
Sue Elvis
 
Podcast music 
Twombly by Podington Bear, (CC BY-NC 3.0)
 
Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider writing a review or rating this episode and sharing the link so we can spread the word about unschooling!
Please feel welcome to visit my blog Stories of an Unschooling Family to leave a comment on today's episode. Or just stop by to say hello!
 

116: Why it's Important to Allow Kids to Follow Their Passions and Interests

 
This week, I'm discussing the following questions:
Does planning have any place in unschooling?
Can we make attractive planners using Evernote?
Will I continue my Evernote workshop series?
How does balance fit into an unschooling life?
Why is it very important that we let our kids follow their passions and interests?
Is it okay to acknowledge our kids' talents?
Can we praise our kids?
Are we obliged to develop and use our own talents?
Can reality, lifestyle and documentary TV series provide us with lots of wonderful learning experiences?
How do we make homeschool record notes about TV shows we've watched?
 
Show Notes
 
My Evernote workshop series
50 Coloured Evernote Background Note Templates (to download)
Evernote and homeschool record keeping
My unschooling book series
Are We Incomplete Without Our Interests and Passions?
Should Unschooled Kids Live Balanced Lives? 
Unschooling Sausages
The Big Painting Challenge (episodes available on Youtube at time of posting)
Blog posts about The Big Painting Challenge
Imogen Elvis on Youtube
 
Podcast music: Twombly by Podington Bear, (CC BY-NC 3.0)
 
Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider writing a review and sharing the link so we can spread the word about unschooling!
Please feel welcome to visit my blog Stories of an Unschooling Family to leave a comment on today's episode. Or just stop by to say hello!