Text Sue what you think!

Feeling lost about teaching is common when you step away from school. Sue Patterson explores why the urge to teach more keeps showing up — and why learning doesn’t depend on parents doing more teaching, but on staying focused on the learner.

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“I want to do more to teach, but I feel lost.”

If that thought has crossed your mind, you’re not the only one. That feeling often shows up when you step away from school-based learning and realize you’re still carrying old ideas about what teaching is supposed to look like.

Let’s talk about why parents feel lost when they start on the unschooling path, how we’ve been conditioned to believe learning only happens when someone is teaching, and what to focus on instead when your days don’t look like school. This is a calm, reassuring conversation for parents who are doing something unconventional — and want steadier footing without more pressure.

Additional Unschooling Support:

If you’d like more examples and a little support, you’ll find related resources here: Blogpost: "I Want to Do More to Teach" — Why that feels so confusing

Deschooling Toolkit (for that 365 Days of Deschooling guide)

Creating Confidence membership

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!

How do kids really learn without curriculum?

What if learning is hiding in the things we almost dismiss as “just for fun”?

Let's use Appreciate a Dragon Day as a real-life example of how learning shows up naturally — through curiosity, imagination, conversation, and play — without planning lessons or following a curriculum.

Parents exploring unschooling or questioning traditional homeschooling can learning how to notice learning instead of trying to engineer it.

You’ll hear about:

• How everyday interests connect to real learning
• Why play, storytelling, and imagination matter
• What learning without curriculum actually looks like
• How to see subjects woven into ordinary moments

For more ideas and specific ways to weave multiple subjects into a day, check out the blogpost with

10 creative ways unschooling shows up through dragons here:

https://www.unschoolingmom2mom.com/what-do-dragons-and-homeschooling-have-in-common

You can read the transcript at this link too.

📅 Want daily sparks like this — without having to come up with them yourself?
The Strewing Calendar delivers interesting ideas and everyday celebrations that invite curiosity and connection all year long:

https://www.unschoolingmom2mom.com/category/Strewing-Calendar-Subscriptions

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!

Many parents expect deschooling to work like a big reset button — pull kids out of school, give it a little time, and everything will fall into place.

But when kids seem to be “vegging out,” parents often panic: Is this really how it’s supposed to work?

In this episode, I unpack what’s actually happening in those moments — and why that panic makes sense.

Leaving school doesn’t automatically erase the habits we learned growing up. Even when unschooling feels right, school-shaped ideas about productivity, pace, comparison, and structure can quietly shape how we interpret learning at home.

We’ll talk about:

• Why deschooling isn’t instant — and why that’s normal
• What kids are actually doing when it looks like “nothing”
• Why deschooling is active parent work, not passive waiting
• How connection, partnership, and shared life replace school-based frameworks
• Why successful deschooling doesn’t lead kids back to school thinking — it helps school fade into the background entirely

Deschooling isn’t about rejecting learning.
It’s about letting go of patterns that belonged to a system built for sameness — not real families.

Read Transcript at the Blog
https://www.unschoolingmom2mom.com/why-deschooling-is-really-for-parents

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DESCHOOLING TOOLKIT - for kids and parents!

The practical support resource for parents who find themselves in that in-between space — where unschooling makes sense, but school-shaped thinking keeps creeping back in.

The Deschooling Toolkit is a collection of parent supports designed to walk alongside you as you step away from system-focused ideas and sort through what actually supports your family’s learning now. It includes:

• 365 Days of Deschooling — gentle, real-life prompts for kids and families
• A Parent Deschooling Guide — to help you recognize school-conditioned habits and rethink them intentionally
• Deschooling Affirmation Cards — steady reminders for moments when doubt or outside pressure shows up

There’s no schedule to follow and nothing to “complete.” You can return to it whenever old patterns surface.

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!

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

Text Sue what you think!

If you're having doubts or feeling overwhelmed, I have some options for you!

You're not the only parent who enters December feeling confused about their homeschooling or unschooling choices. Sue Patterson shares nearly 30 years of experience here, offering reassurance and perspective. And even if you do need to pivot, you don’t have to figure it out alone.

Unschooling is a practice — one small, brave decision at a time — and you don’t have to walk it alone.

Links mentioned:
• Discounted December Coaching Calls: http://www.suepatterson.as.me/december

• Ask Sue Page:

Tell me your Biggest Fear. Seriously. I'll answer

• Transcript Blogpost:

https://www.unschoolingmom2mom.com/unschooling-doubts-and-fears

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!

Does unschooling feel like a roller coaster — some days confident, other days full of doubt? You’re not alone. This episode explores why the early stages feel so shaky and what actually helps parents feel steady again.

We’ll talk about:
• why deschooling feels so emotional and up-and-down
• the hidden pressures that make you second-guess yourself
• why doing this alone feels so much harder
• what real, judgment-free support does for your confidence
• stories from parents who finally stopped spiraling
• why the holiday season magnifies everything — good and hard

If you’re tired of the internal wobble or wishing someone could walk with you through this stage, this conversation will help you breathe again.

⭐ Black Friday Membership Sale

If you’ve been wanting support, this is the easiest week of the year to join the Unschooling Mom2Mom Membership.
The discounted Black Friday price makes it simple to get the grounding, clarity, and community that make unschooling feel lighter.

Monthly - 20% off!

Annual - 56% off!!!

Join here:
https://www.unschoolingmom2mom.com/black-friday

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