Dola Dasgupta is a long-time unschooling mom with two older children and we have a fascinating conversation! She shares some wonderful stories as we dive into her journey to unschooling, deschooling challenges along the way, the value of free time, her experience unschooling in India, and lots more.
Questions for Dola
Can you share with us a bit about you and your family? What is everybody interested in right now?
How did you discover unschooling and what did your family’s move to unschooling look like?
I think one of the challenges of deschooling can be navigating not having set goals or expectations for our children while still staying aware and engaged and supporting them on their journey as it unfolds. It’s an interesting dance, isn’t it?
A topic of concern that comes up pretty often in unschooling circles is “screen time.” I’m curious what your experiences and thoughts are on the topic.
For me, one of the biggest surprises, and joys, of unschooling turned out to be having large swaths of free time at our disposal. When we started, I didn’t realize how much open-ended time would be so well-spent by slowing down and being with my kids at their pace, whether it was around exploring their interests or feeling their feelings. Has that been your experience as well?
When we connected before the call, you mentioned the value of being aware of indoctrination while parenting our children. I’d love to hear your thoughts around that.
I’d love to learn more about unschooling in India. You were involved in creating the first homeschooling conference in India, yes? How have things grown since then?
What is your favourite thing about your unschooling lives right now?
Things mentioned in the episode
Dola has two blogs, one about life with children, Children Already Know!, and one for creative expression, thou-art-thy-creator
She has a Facebook page for her events and sessions, Circle of Life
Dola manages the Facebook group, Pune Alternative Learners (PAL) and Unschooling in India. Share, Support, Reflect
You can find Dola on Facebook
Her daughter Gourika’s Instagram, with music covers
See Dola tell the Bengali folk tale, The Reluctant Thief
Episode transcript
I have listened to this episode 3 times now and each time I have heard something different and profound. Dola expresses her unschooling perspective so beautifully; her humility and openness and fascination with which she spoke about her children inspire and set an example. Once again, the joy & presence of the unschooling journey and lifestyle was “witnessed,” to use one of Dola’s terms, in your podcast. Thank you Pam for all you do on behalf of planting the seeds of unschooling. I am so grateful.