EU299: In Celebration of Unschooling, Part 1

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Episode 299! Wow.

For the last few weeks, I’ve been pondering what I’d like to do to mark the milestone of 300 episodes. Maybe a compilation episode, maybe a solo episode. Hmm. I’ve been doing those regularly for the last while (which I’m loving), so I planted that seed and let it bubble around in the back of my mind as I went about my days. I had a title I loved, though, In Celebration of Unschooling.

And then (at pretty much the last possible moment, of course) … CLICK!

But first, I need to share a bit of backstory.

Earlier this year I came across a draft of a book I wrote back in 2015 and 2016, completely re-organizing it three times before putting it on the back burner to simmer and shifting my focus to writing The Unschooling Journey, which I published in 2018.

I wrote this book through the lens of parenting and with an audience in mind who’s curious about unschooling, but maybe haven’t yet made the leap. And I was trying to bring in ideas about children and learning that I’d come across out in the world that, likely unbeknownst to the authors, resonated well with unschooling. So, trying to meet new-to-the-idea-of-unschooling parents where they are.

I wasn’t sure how well I did that, which is why I put it in the metaphorical drawer of first drafts to marinate. Fast forward to now and I’m spending most of my time producing the podcast and supporting the Living Joyfully Network community, so I don’t know when, or even if, I’ll dive back into the book. And yet, there are ideas and connections in there that I’d like to share.

And, in case you haven’t yet guessed the punchline, this podcast milestone seems like a fitting opportunity in which to do that!

This book has also changed titles quite a few times—from Free to Think, to The Art of Unschooling, to The Art of Parenting, to The Art of Being a Parent—but, you know what, In Celebration of Unschooling feels just fine right now.

So, over the next seven weeks I’m going to be sharing the book with you! The hook, the build, the twist, the payoff. And even if you’re not smack in the middle of the intended audience, as you’ve heard me say many times before, I think that no matter where you are on your unschooling journey, you can still get a lot out of revisiting ideas you’ve encountered before.

It might help remind you and reground you in why you’ve chosen unschooling for your family. And that often helps us stay more fully in the moment with our children. Maybe it’ll spark some new connections, helping you understand and appreciate the beauty of unschooling more deeply. Which in turn may bring new possibilities to your family’s days.

Let’s find out. I hope you enjoy accompanying me on the ride!

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The Living Joyfully Network community

The Network is a wonderful online community for parents to engage in candid conversations about living and learning through the lens of unschooling. Our shared goals are to embrace lifelong learning, develop strong and connected relationships with our children, and cultivate a thriving unschooling lifestyle in our families. If you’re curious to learn more, click here!

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