Text Sue what you think!

When traditional homeschooling stops working, there’s nothing wrong with exploring your options.
The Unschooling 101 mini-course can help. Let’s talk about what’s going on together.
-> Unschooling 101

-> Creating Confidence Membership (Unschooling 101 is included)

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If you’ve been homeschooling for a while — especially in a more traditional or school-at-home way — there often comes a point when it just doesn’t feel like it’s working anymore.

Not because you’re doing something wrong.
Not because your kids are failing.
But because the structure you started doesn’t fit your family.

In this episode, Sue Patterson talks through what it really means when traditional homeschooling stops working. She explores why so many families reach this place, why it often shows up midyear, and why unschooling frequently enters the conversation at this stage.

You’ll hear about the difference between homeschooling and unschooling, what “deschooling” actually looks like in real life, and why questioning your current approach is a thoughtful, responsible response — not a failure. This episode is especially helpful if you’re searching for alternatives to traditional homeschooling or trying to understand whether unschooling might be a better fit for your family.

Rather than offering quick fixes or rigid plans, this conversation focuses on clarity, reassurance, and next steps you can take without panic or pressure. If homeschooling isn’t working the way you expected and you’re wondering what comes next, this episode will help you slow down, make sense of what you’re noticing, and feel less alone as you explore your options.

Sue also shares how the Unschooling 101 mini-course can support parents who want a practical, grounded introduction to unschooling — especially those transitioning away from school-at-home methods and looking for a clearer understanding of what unschooling actually looks like day to day.

Read the Transcript at the blog

Support the show

_____________________________________________________

As always, reach out if you need more help.
You don't have to do this alone!

Free Email List with weekly unschooling resources

Like what you're hearing - buy Sue a cup of coffee!
Buy Me a Coffee

• Creating Confidence Membership Group
  Podcast listeners can join without the sign up fee - so use this link!
• UNSCHOOLING 101 Course
• Math WITHOUT Curriculum Course
• Unschooling Transcript Course
• Seasonal Unschooling Guides
• Private 1:1 Coaching with Sue

www.UnschoolingMom2Mom.com

Text Sue what you think!

This post-holiday stretch can make even confident homeschooling and unschooling parents second-guess everything. But winter isn’t the time to push harder — even though everything around us insists we need to ‘get back on track.

So what if we took a different approach?

If the last semester felt less than stellar, it may not need a complete overhaul. It often just means real life showed up — and winter is asking for something different. This episode invites you to slow down, reflect clearly, and notice what’s actually true beneath the fear, guilt, and January noise.

We talk about:

• why winter has never been a season of pushing
• how stress and fear can distort how we remember “how things went”
• why reflection gives us better information than rushing to fix
• how learning often looks quieter in winter — and why that still counts

This is not about planning or starting over.
It’s about letting winter be winter — and giving yourself permission to pause.

Read Transcript

If you’d like a little more support right now, here are a few gentle options:

• New Year’s Bundle (Guides + Kids’ Video Interviews)
👉 https://www.unschoolingmom2mom.com/product/New-Years-Bundle

• Discounted Private Coaching Calls (January too)
👉 http://www.suepatterson.as.me/december

• Seasonal Unschooling Guide: Winter
👉 https://www.unschoolingmom2mom.com/product/Seasonal-Unschooling-Guide-Winter

And this Friday, January 2nd, I’ll be live on YouTube talking openly about the different kinds of support that exist for unschooling families — free and paid, mine and others’. No pitch, just information. You’re welcome to come listen or ask questions. http://www.youtube.com/c/UnschoolingMom2Mom

You don’t have to have it all figured out — just stay connected.

Support the show

_____________________________________________________

As always, reach out if you need more help.
You don't have to do this alone!

Free Email List with weekly unschooling resources

Like what you're hearing - buy Sue a cup of coffee!
Buy Me a Coffee

• Creating Confidence Membership Group
  Podcast listeners can join without the sign up fee - so use this link!
• UNSCHOOLING 101 Course
• Math WITHOUT Curriculum Course
• Unschooling Transcript Course
• Seasonal Unschooling Guides
• Private 1:1 Coaching with Sue

www.UnschoolingMom2Mom.com

Text Sue what you think!

Unschooling in December doesn’t mean “taking a break from learning.”
In this episode, Sue Patterson shares what typical unschooling days really look like during the holidays—slow mornings, cozy rhythms, spontaneous learning, busy outings, and the kinds of meaningful life experiences that traditional schooling often pushes aside.

If you’ve wondered how unschooling families handle December, or if you’re transitioning away from school and worried about “falling behind,” this conversation will help you see how much learning naturally shows up through holiday activities, connection, play, creativity, and real life.

You’ll learn:

• What unschooling days actually look like in December
• How to see academic learning through holiday traditions
• Why kids learn more when the pressure is lifted
• How to stop the “catching up later” worry
• Why connection and rest matter more than checklists
• How busy families can still unschool joyfully
• Ways to notice the learning that’s already happening

This episode is perfect for new unschoolers, almost-unschoolers, or any parent who dreams of a calmer, more connected December.

Transcript at the Blog

🎁 UNSCHOOLING RESOURCES:

Holiday Unschooling Bundle (4 Guides)

Everything you need to navigate December:
Holiday Learning • Coping with Critics • Winter Guide • New Year’s Workbook
https://www.unschoolingmom2mom.com/product/Unschooling-Holiday-Bundle-2025

Want help unschooling through the holidays?

Join the Creating Confidence Membership for coaching, community, and ongoing support.
Special link (no sign-up fee):
https://www.unschoolingmom2mom.com/podcast-friends

❤️ Stay Connected

Free 7 Day Unschooling Holidays Challenge - starting this week on my email list!
https://unschooling-mom2mom.kit.com/6651324494

Private coaching with Sue - December Special:
https://www.suepatterson.as.me/December

Support the show

_____________________________________________________

As always, reach out if you need more help.
You don't have to do this alone!

Free Email List with weekly unschooling resources

Like what you're hearing - buy Sue a cup of coffee!
Buy Me a Coffee

• Creating Confidence Membership Group
  Podcast listeners can join without the sign up fee - so use this link!
• UNSCHOOLING 101 Course
• Math WITHOUT Curriculum Course
• Unschooling Transcript Course
• Seasonal Unschooling Guides
• Private 1:1 Coaching with Sue

www.UnschoolingMom2Mom.com