Just living and learning
Like most people I know, my inner compass has not always been in charge as I've moved through life. Too often, I've lost track of my own north, and instead followed paths marked out by other guides - compelling whispers in my head about pleasing other people, not giving up, fitting in, proving myself. Some... Continue Reading →
When a child leaves a traditional school environment to begin unschooling, the adjustment period is generally referred to as 'deschooling'. It's a time when, free from external expectations and pressure, they can rediscover their natural rhythms and who they are when no one expects them to be anything in particular. I keep coming across a... Continue Reading →
Something that keeps coming up with my podcast guests is the unexpected healing power of unschooling. Many parents talk of how it has helped to heal their wounds with their children, from earlier more pressured times. But equally, and almost without exception, these parents have spoken of their own healing. By accepting their children just... Continue Reading →
There is a lot of discussion right now about the power that local authorities in the UK have to ascertain whether children who are not educated in school are, in their opinion, receiving a "suitable education". Around the world, this is something that many unschooling families find themselves navigating—the pressure or legal requirement to show... Continue Reading →
An understandable fear people have about their children leaving formal education is that if they don't do well at school, they won't go far in life. Since school is really the only model that we all know well, and the model that the vast majority of us and our children pass through in order to... Continue Reading →
I was listening to a radio programme this morning and the topic of consent came up. The interviewer and their guest talked at length about how important it is that we teach young people to have strong boundaries. As they chatted, I found myself feeling like while the intention was spot on, they were also... Continue Reading →
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A PLACE ON A HILL 