What happens when an unschooler wants to go into higher education? How does a child who has spent years following their interests possibly get their head round formal study and exams? There's plenty of evidence that they do just that, so, although we're not quite there yet ourselves, I know that at first glance the … Continue reading When unschooling means exams
Structures and freedom
A few days ago, just before she went to bed, my daughter decided to write down her morning routine. She felt like her mornings would be easier if she could just follow the same schedule every day, so she wrote it out and she keeps it on her dresser. The schedule starts with waking up, … Continue reading Structures and freedom
Trusting the quiet moments
Sometimes, it's easy to feel confident. Seeing a child curled up reading a book, looking up ingredients to do some baking, or just getting cross about politics in the kitchen. At these times, I can't help but think that all is well. We look like someone's idea of what this should look like. We are … Continue reading Trusting the quiet moments
What did we do today?
Well, life in semi-lockdown goes on, and we've had plenty of time to settle into new rhythms. Human beings are certainly adaptable creatures. What would have been unthinkable just months ago seems relatively normal now. It's true that a lot of conversations start with a hopeful, 'After lockdown...', but generally the days pass peacefully enough … Continue reading What did we do today?
Truth to power? Sure, let’s bring it on
I was at an event in a local primary school with D and C a few months ago. It was friendly and cheerful enough with lots of colourful pictures and creative projects covering the walls. Then, on the way out, I caught sight of a sign on a noticeboard. It said that the local council … Continue reading Truth to power? Sure, let’s bring it on
Self compassion in lockdown times
I started this post about self compassion a while ago and, for some reason, never got round to finishing it. Now feels like a good time. Here we all are trying to hold space for our children whilst also attempting to stay on solid ground ourselves... There can't be a more important life skill for … Continue reading Self compassion in lockdown times
The many benefits of unschooling for children with special needs
I hear a lot of doubt around whether unschooling can work for children with special needs. Perhaps it's because many of these children need so much help and support to get through formal education. And if it's stressful and exhausting even with everyone trying so hard, logic follows that without all that effort and structure, … Continue reading The many benefits of unschooling for children with special needs
Things I wish I had known
A friend asked me recently what I wish I had known when we began unschooling. It's an interesting question. There were lots of things that I didn't know, and there were others that, intellectually at least, I did know, but didn't quite believe. So, here's my list. All the things I wish I had known, … Continue reading Things I wish I had known
Let them game!
This lockdown sort of caught us between places. We had just rented a house in the UK, and brought over some of our belongings. We were due to travel back to Barcelona in March to get the rest of our things plus our three cats. Obviously that couldn't happen, so we're living a fairly minimalist … Continue reading Let them game!
Why lockdown is a little like childbirth
The birth of my first child was much harder than I'd expected it to be. I was ready for pain, but was also pretty confident that I'd be able to deal with it. What I hadn't realised was that my mind and my body would be so resistant to the process. I fought every step … Continue reading Why lockdown is a little like childbirth
