education

164: Discouraged

This week, I'm talking about:
How I'm feeling discouraged
The need to feel successful
A negative comment about technology and screentime
Letting go and moving on
I also share a story from my book, Radical Unschool Love, called The Beginning and End of Praise. 
Is it okay to praise our kids? Could praise be necessary, not only for our children but for us as well?
 
Show Notes
 
My Unschooling Books
Curious Unschoolers: Kindle
Curious Unschoolers: paperback
Radical Unschool Love: Kindle
Radical Unschool Love: paperback
My Amazon Author Page
 
Blog posts
A Gradual Approach to Unschooling
Is it Really Okay to Give Unschooling Kids Unlimited Access to Screens and the Internet?
 
Podcast
Episode 162: Asking for Help
  
Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider sharing the link so that we can spread the word about unschooling. A quick review or rating would help too!
Please feel welcome to visit my blog Stories of an Unschooling Family to leave a comment about this episode.  Or you could just stop by and say hello!
 
 

163: Time and Trust and Letting Go

This week, I'm talking about:
how time moves so fast.
making the most of our time with our kids.
not being anxious but trusting our kids will get to where they are meant to go.
how we have to let go of each stage of our lives.
our son Thomas and grief and birthday traditions.
I'm sharing two stories
Time and Trust (from my book Radical Unschool Love)
Letting Go of Another of Thomas' Places
I tried a new podcasting recording setup for this episode. Please ignore any imperfections. Yes, there are a few skipped words and a bit of breathy breathing and other strange noises, but I hope this recording is good enough to listen to. (How did Darth Vader get into my podcast?!) When I learn how to use Adobe Audition better, my podcasts will sound better!
 
Show Notes
 
My Unschooling Books
Curious Unschoolers: Kindle
Curious Unschoolers: paperback
Radical Unschool Love: Kindle
Radical Unschool Love: paperback
My Amazon Author Page
 
Blog posts
How Did a Man Get into My Podcast?
Letting Go of Another of Thomas' Places
 
Podcast
Beginning and Endings and a Simple Christmas
  
Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider sharing the link so that we can spread the word about unschooling. A quick review or rating would help too!
Please feel welcome to visit my blog Stories of an Unschooling Family to leave a comment about this episode.  Or you could just stop by and say hello!
 

162: Asking for Help

After a break, I'm back with a new episode!
 
This week, I'm discussing the following questions:
Where have I been?
Why did I record 3 versions of episode 162?
Can crisis points become turning points?
What changes am I making?
Do most of us think we can do everything all by ourselves?
Do we need social media to spread the message about our work?
Do we need more silence in our lives?
Are you willing to help me?
 
I'm also sharing two stories:
When We Reach Crisis Point (from my blog)
Sue Elvis: An Interview (from my book Radical Unschool Love)
 
Show Notes
 
My Unschooling Books
Curious Unschoolers: Kindle
Curious Unschoolers: paperback
Radical Unschool Love: Kindle
Radical Unschool Love: paperback
My Amazon Author Page
 
Blog posts
When We Reach Crisis Point
Time to Unschool
 
Book
The Power of Silence by Cardinal Robert Sarah
 
Unschoolgram
Unschoolgram menu
Unschoolgram: 2019 October and September (Do you ever yearn for more silence in your life?)
 
Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider sharing the link so that we can spread the word about unschooling. A quick review or rating would help too!
Please feel welcome to visit my blog Stories of an Unschooling Family to leave a comment about this episode. Perhaps you have a crisis point story you'd like to share. You could give me some feedback on my podcast ideas. Or you could just stop by and say hello!
 

161: Registered Homeschoolers Who Unschool, Confidence and Other Thoughts

This week, I'm sharing another story about younger unschoolers. It's called Giving a Child Unasked-For Help.
I'm also chatting about last week's unschooling meeting in Canberra where Imogen, Sophie and I spoke about unschooling.
I discuss the following questions:
Does unschooling work?
Can registered homeschoolers unschool?
I talk about support groups, having confidence, adopting a positive attitude towards homeschool registration and lots of other things!
 
Show Notes
 
My Unschooling Books
Curious Unschoolers: Kindle
Curious Unschoolers: paperback
Radical Unschool Love: Kindle
Radical Unschool Love: paperback
My Amazon Author Page
 
Blog Posts
Giving a Child Unasked-For Help
Posts About Registration and Homeschool Record-Keeping
How Choosing a Different Path Can Cause Conflict
 
The Curious Unschoolers Book Club
The Curious Unschoolers Book Club Is Now Open!
The Book Club Link
 
Where You Can Find Me
Youtube
Sue Elvis
 Instagram
stories_ofan_unschoolingfamily
Blog
Stories of an Unschooling Family
 
Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider sharing the link so that we can spread the word about unschooling. A quick review or rating would help too!
Please feel welcome to visit my blog Stories of an Unschooling Family to leave a comment about this episode. And please join me on Instagram!

160: Shall We Talk About Christian Unschooling?

This week's episode is for my Christian unschooling friends.
I'm exploring the question: can Christians unschool?
I share some quick (and maybe muddled!) thoughts on such things as trust, freedom, unconditional love, passions and interests, respect, families, our missions in life, and forgiveness from a Christian unschooling perspective.
I didn't aim for a perfect podcast covering all aspects of Christian unschooling. Instead, I just wanted to share a few thoughts that might open up some conversations.
I'm also sharing an adventurous mother story from one of my children's novels.
 
Show Notes
 
My Unschooling Books
Curious Unschoolers: Kindle
Curious Unschoolers: paperback
Radical Unschool Love: Kindle
Radical Unschool Love: paperback
My Amazon Author Page
 
My Children's Novels
The Angels of Abbey Creek
The Angels of Gum Tree Road
 
Blog Post
 Bringing God into the Unschooling Picture
 
The Curious Unschoolers Book Club
The Curious Unschoolers Book Club Is Now Open!
The Book Club Link
 
Where You Can Find Me
Youtube
Sue Elvis
 Instagram
stories_ofan_unschoolingfamily
Blog
Stories of an Unschooling Family
 
Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider sharing the link so that we can spread the word about unschooling. A quick review or rating would help too!
Please feel welcome to visit my blog Stories of an Unschooling Family to leave a comment about this episode. Are you interested in talking more about Christian unschooling? Join us in the Curious Unschoolers Book Club. And please join me on Instagram!

159: Turning Waiting Times into Unschooling Adventures

This week, I'm talking about how we can make the most of waiting times by filling them with adventures.
I'm also discussing:
Perfection and how it stops us from doing important and enjoyable things.
How we can be adventurous parents.
My vlogging plans.
How life and our typical unschooling days change as our kids get older and their needs and interests change.
How we don't need to set assignments for our kids after they've enjoyed an adventure.
The Curious Unschoolers Book Club
My Baby Loss Club website.
I'm also sharing two stories of when my kids were younger:
An Adventure Hiding in Every Moment
The Photography Girls Head into the Bush
 
Show Notes
 
My Unschooling Books
Curious Unschoolers: Kindle
Curious Unschoolers: paperback
Radical Unschool Love: Kindle
Radical Unschool Love: paperback
My Amazon Author Page
 
Blog Posts
 An Adventure Hiding in Every Moment
The Photography Girls Head into the Bush
The Bush Walk
 
Podcast
Episode 2: Mistakes, a Teenager's Love of Learning, and Loose Change
 
The Curious Unschoolers Book Club
The Curious Unschoolers Book Club Is Now Open!
The Book Club Link
 
Where You Can Find Me
Youtube
Sue Elvis
 Instagram
stories_ofan_unschoolingfamily
Blog
Stories of an Unschooling Family
 
Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider sharing the link so that we can spread the word about unschooling. A quick review or rating would help too!
Please feel welcome to visit my blog Stories of an Unschooling Family to leave a comment about this episode. Share your waiting time adventures! Join us in the Curious Unschoolers Book Club. And please join me on Instagram!
 
 

158: Old and New Stories, a Book Club and Other Unschooling Things

This week, I'm sharing some old stories and some new ones, as well as some news.
I talk about:
When my kids were younger by sharing a snow story and a homeschooling camp story.
How my ideas about how kids learn have changed.
How Gemma-Rose (15) has been enriching her own life.
Our family passion for musicals.
How our kids can come alive when they are involved with their passions and using their talents.
How young kids can join in with things we might think are too advanced for them.
My new Curious Unschoolers Book Club.
How Imogen, Sophie and I are travelling to Canberra on 31st August to meet up with other unschoolers.
 
Show Notes
My Unschooling Books
Curious Unschoolers: Kindle
Curious Unschoolers: paperback
Radical Unschool Love: Kindle
Radical Unschool Love: paperback
My Amazon Author Page
 
Blog Posts
 
I Am a Pirate King!
When Unschooled Kids Charge Off on Their Own Learning Adventures (includes links to mentioned musicals)
 
The Curious Unschoolers Book Club
The Curious Unschoolers Book Club Is Now Open!
The Book Club Link
 
Books by Father James Tierney
The Bush Boys books
 
Where You Can Find Me
Youtube
Sue Elvis
 Instagram
stories_ofan_unschoolingfamily
Blog
Stories of an Unschooling Family
 
Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider sharing the link so that we can spread the word about unschooling. A quick review or rating would help too!
Please feel welcome to visit my blog Stories of an Unschooling Family to leave a comment about this episode. Join us in the Curious Unschoolers Book Club. And please join me on Instagram!

157: Fearing Our Kids Will Fail

This week, I'm discussing the following questions:
Do things sometimes seem like they'll never change?
Is 'grinned' a fabulous word?
Do we notice and worry about things that relate to ourselves that others don't notice?
Do our fears for our kids get in the way of encouraging them to do the things they enjoy?
Can our fears deprive our kids of joy?
Is failing really a big deal?
What's my latest unschooling book idea?
Where are we going when we take unschooling on the road?
Does encouragement work both ways?
 
I'm also sharing the story Fearing Our Kids Will Fail from my book Curious Unschoolers.
 
Show Notes
 
My Unschooling Books
Curious Unschoolers: Kindle
Curious Unschoolers: paperback
Radical Unschool Love: Kindle
Radical Unschool Love: paperback
My Amazon Author Page
 
Podcast
Episode 140: Difficult Things
 
Youtube
Sue Elvis
 
Instagram
stories_ofan_unschoolingfamily
 
Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider sharing the link so that we can spread the word about unschooling. A quick review or rating would help too!
Please feel welcome to visit my blog Stories of an Unschooling Family to leave a comment about this episode. You could let me know what you think about my new unschooling book idea. Maybe you have a fear of failing story of your own to share. 
And please join me on Instagram!
 

156: Building Strong Relationships with Our Kids

This week, I'm sharing 3 stories about my young adult son Callum (who likes to grin!):
How I Removed an Engine from a Car
Engines, Muscles and Spending Time with Dad
My Fridge Adventure
I talk about building strong relationships with our kids by:
Taking an interest in their passions.
Spending time with them.
Being daring and adventurous parents who like to have fun.
As well, I talk about:
Self-directed learning.
Being honest.
I also share a couple of reviews for my books Curious Unschoolers and Radical Unschool Love.
 
Show Notes
 
My Unschooling Books
Curious Unschoolers: Kindle
Curious Unschoolers: paperback
Radical Unschool Love: Kindle
Radical Unschool Love: paperback
 
Youtube
Sue Elvis
 
Instagram
stories_ofan_unschoolingfamily
 
Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider sharing the link so that we can spread the word about unschooling. A quick review or rating would help too!
Please feel welcome to visit my blog Stories of an Unschooling Family to leave a comment about this episode. (You could tell me how many times I said the word 'grin' in this episode!) And please join me on Instagram!
 

155: Another Way of Looking at Our Unschooled Kids' Learning

This week, I'm sharing and discussing the story, Another Way of Looking at Our Kids' Learning. 
I talk about my teenager's morning:
What Gemma-Rose did
How I could record that learning in terms of school subjects
And how I could think about her learning in another way
I also talk about the importance of play for both children and adults.
And I share a couple of podcast reviews that I was thrilled to receive. A big thank you to The Simple living Mom and Home Ed Fam!!
 
 
 
Show Notes
 
Blog Post
 Another Way of Looking at Our Kids' Learning
 
My Unschooling Books
Curious Unschoolers: Kindle
Curious Unschoolers: paperback
Radical Unschool Love: Kindle
Radical Unschool Love: paperback
 
Youtube
Sue Elvis
 
Instagram
stories_ofan_unschoolingfamily
 
Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider sharing the link so that we can spread the word about unschooling. A quick review or rating would help too!
Please feel welcome to visit my blog Stories of an Unschooling Family to leave a comment about this episode. You could just stop by and say hello. And please join me on Instagram!