EU113: Deschooling with Megan Valnes

Megan Valnes is an unschooling mom with five children and we have so much fun diving deep into her deschooling experience. We talk about finding helpful unschooling information and groups online, the parenting paradigm shifts we make as we embrace unschooling, her experience managing the diverse needs of five children, her husband’s experience as they moved to unschooling, her favourite thing about unschooling right now, and lots more.

Quote of the Week

“Unschooling is a simple philosophy that when you read it, you are like, ‘Oh yes, that makes so much sense.’ But to actually implement it and fully integrate that philosophy into your life, it’s so different because it radically contradicts what we grew up knowing and understanding about the world. It’s like suddenly four plus four does not equal eight. Or, there is a possibility it might equal nine. Is it possible to stretch your brain out that far? Where you can think, ‘It’s a possibility what I have been doing all these years was not right?’” ~ Megan Valnes

Questions for Megan

Can you share with us a bit about you and your family?

How did you discover unschooling and what did your family’s move to unschooling look like?

After we’ve chosen unschooling for our family, the learning doesn’t stop there, does it. We’re just getting started! And while the growing amount of information about unschooling available is awesome, it also means more sifting to find the sources with solid information that connects well with us. How have you found that process unfolding for you?

Another important aspect of the deschooling process revolves around parenting—it turns out, helping our children’s learning thrive, means shifting our parenting paradigm from “having control over our children” to “being in connection with our children.” What has that shift looked like for you?

With five children, I imagine there are a number of different personalities at play. Can you share your experience around finding ways to meet their diverse needs?

How has the transition to unschooling been for your husband? How have you been helping him with the shift to this very unconventional lifestyle?

Right now, what’s your favourite thing about your unschooling lifestyle?

Links to things mentioned in the show

Pam’s new book, The Unschooling Journey: A Field Guide, is out! You can find it on the usual retailers here: books2read.com/unschoolingjourney

Pam’s interview on Rachel Rainbolt’s Sage Family Podcast

Megan first found Sandra Dodd’s unschooling website

Megan’s Instagram, @momwifesuperstar

Episode Transcript

Read the episode transcript