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Unschooling Myths and Misconceptions: Unschooling is Unparenting

One of the biggest misunderstandings I’ve found that people have with unschooling, particularly in Christian unschooling, is the question of guidance. People seem to jump to the conclusion that Unschooling = Unparenting. Christians assume that if you’re unschooling it means you’re not guiding your children or “training them up in the way they should go.”

So, for the record, let me very clearly state – the parenting philosophy behind unschooling typically involves a LOT of guidance, y’all! Continue Reading

Unschooling Myths and Misconceptions: Gaps in Education

Gaps in Education for Unschoolers. It’s what all the Charlie Brown teachers want to stress and argue about.

What I don’t like most about this argument, is that it’s spoken with the premise that traditionally schooled children don’t have gaps in education. And, frankly, I think that’s a load of hogwash. (Woah, did you see the southern seep out of me just then? Weird.)

From everything I’ve read and experienced, I actually think (typically) that unschooled kids probably have less gaps than traditionally schooled kids. Plus they truly understand what they do know, and understand how it relates to real life. If anything, their gaps are things like, “I’ve never eaten in a cafeteria” and “I’ve never been bullied on a school bus.” Continue Reading

What I Have Learned from God About Unschooling

God is everywhere working all around us, just as learning is everywhere, and with both all we have to do is open our eyes to see so we can join in.

When God really wants us to learn something He speaks to us through our circumstances exactly where we are.

Continue Reading

Unschooling Question: What About Math and the Other Boring Stuff They Need?

This post was written back in 2008– since then we have become completely radical unschoolers and it has been an amazing journey.  Back then I never would have guessed the kids would become passionately interested in and teach themselves (yes, they have taken on ALL the boring stuff.:))

I run into this question often from friends, family members, forums, and even unschooling friends. Many are fearful enough that their children won’t naturally attempt to learn things they deem boring or important (often both) that they specifically purchase a curriculum for just that subject – regardless of whether the child has shown interest in it. Continue Reading

When Unschooling Becomes a Lifestyle

The other day the antique appraiser I help out, remembering how in the past I have needed to work less in order to spend time teaching the kids, asked when I needed to change my schedule and be less available. It caught me off guard because I have gotten so used to our lifestyle of learning.

It took me a moment to come up with an answer that would avoid getting into this whole unschooling business but also satisfy her. I said that the kids had, for the most part, taken over their own learning and listed quickly off all the projects they have done in the last few months, being careful to point out the expected learning that has occurred in this unexpected way. She was satisfied and moved on to the project at hand while I got to be completely honest without going into a detailed explanation. Continue Reading

Why I Stopped Stressing Myself Out With Classical Homeschooling

I am a questioner. I just am. I see everything in layers and take practically nothing at face value. I can’t stop myself, I question everything and constantly seek deeper definitions for simple things.

So you can only imagine what happened to my brain the first time I saw this animated version of Sir Ken Robinson’s famous TED speech. Seriously, go watch it if you haven’t already. Or watch it again, even if you have!

I am a sucker for logic. And that there just makes a darn lot of sense. Continue Reading

Third Culture School – When Christians Unschool in a Homeschooling World

Have you ever heard the term Third Culture Kids?  It’s a term used pretty often to describe Missionary’s kids.  They’re from one culture, but they grow up in another. So they don’t fully fit in either.

That’s how I feel as a Christian unschooler.

Most of the unschoolers that I’m aware of, especially radical unschoolers, are not Christian. They are free lovin’, blowin’ in the wind hippies.

And most of the homeschoolers I know are staunchly Christian.  No free lovin’ or wind blowin’ involved. Continue Reading

New to Unschooling? Begin at the Beginning

So you have prayed and researched and prayed a lot more and you definitely feel God calling you towards unschooling. Suddenly you are panicked – no more curriculum, no more parent-led schedules, no more kids being taught what the parents think the kids should know.

Now what!?

getting soaked and making friends

First, relax, and pray. If this is where God is leading you then He will help you more than any of us. Continue Reading