Sara Yasner joins me on the podcast this week. Sara is an unschooling mom of three and we talk about unschooling alongside her experience going through menopause. Sara’s two sons are older now, but her daughter, Pamela, is nine.
We talk about her family’s flow and how the addition of Pamela shifted things for everyone in very positive ways. Sara shares a lot of what she’s observed about the effects of peri-menopause and menopause and tools that she’s found helpful in taking care of herself. Our conversation through this new lens was so interesting and I think Sara’s insights are so valuable—especially for those at a similar place on their journey!
Sara would love to connect with other parents who are experiencing menopause while unschooling younger children. I encourage you to share your thoughts and experience in the comments on the episode show notes on my website to continue the conversation with Sara!
Questions for Sara
Can you share 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?
When we first connected, you mentioned you’re curious about other women’s experiences with parenting and unschooling young-ish children during menopause. Can you share some of your experience? And we welcome listeners to share their experiences in the comments for this episode.
You also mentioned that there are plenty of challenging moments to work through as part of the journey. Can you share one or two you experienced and how you moved through them?
You have a background in mindfulness and meditation. I’d love to hear how you find they weave together with unschooling.
What is your favourite thing about the flow of your unschooling days right now?
Things mentioned in the episode
Sara is in The Living Joyfully Network
Sara is on Facebook
Sara’Sing Alongs on Facebook
Transcript
Video
Continue the conversation
Have a question about unschooling?
Submit your question here for an upcoming Q&A episode!
Exploring Unschooling Podcast episodes that Sara recommends
EU292 – Embracing Cocoons and Bubbles with Anna Brown – Sara’s thoughts: Embracing cocoons and bubbles is a great way to look at menopause or any life transition. It’s important to allow what is, with gentleness and kindness, and remember that nothing lasts forever. Seasons of unschooling are the same as seasons of life. Giving myself permission to be where I am and feel how I feel, and loving and trusting my family enough to allow myself to be authentically ‘a mess’ or different than I used to be.
EU035 – Redefining Success with Jo Isaac – Sara’s thoughts: Not Cocoon but just a time in life. It is valuable as is and not just as a path to get somewhere else. Redefining success during this time (of menopause or any life transition/challenge) as well. ‘Success’ as an unschooling parent (or parent in general), in career, as a partner, as a friend, as a human being, etc.
EU317 – Unschooling in Context with Anna Brown – Sara’s thoughts: Boundaries, comfort zones, and capacity are another lens of how to look at this moment in time.
EU281 – Going Deep with Unschooling with Talia Bartoe – Sara’s thoughts: Great comments on the inner work and exploration and self compassion that is central to the unschooling journey. It’s relevant as a new unschooling parent, an unschooling parent well on the path, and for those of us in later years and dealing with menopause and other life transitions.
EU176 – Coming Home with Tara Soto-Regester – Sara’s thoughts: Every experience builds upon the last for continual life evolving and growth. Great episode to hear about the benefit of being present and engaging with what is, how kids and parents are right now, and allowing that exploration and expansion of self.
EU263 – Unschooling Paradigm Shifts with Susan Walker – Sara’s thoughts: Going through a transitional time, moving out of interest/passion in one focus but not yet excited about something new. “It’s okay to be who you are” and, “In order to honor and accept my children, I have to honor and accept myself.”
EU162 – Ten Questions with Alex Peace – Sara’s thoughts: Specifically helpful listening to both Alex and Pam talk about their new passion career taking off when their youngest were teens. This is so topical for women living through menopause as well. Time to now focus on passion/career but also still needed at home and all of it a new time of life.
EU044 – Ten Questions with Jennifer Andersen – Sara’s thoughts: About us as parents also living with and spending time on our passions and interests. Pam said, “We want our kids to live this unschooling life, but I think it’s important to realize that we want to live that lifestyle alongside them. We want to be that shiny example of the person living and learning and doing the things they are interested in, right alongside them so that they see it in action.”
EU007 – Diving into Parenting with Anna Brown – Sara’s thoughts: This episode was so lovely to listen to. I appreciated learning about the “90 second rule” as a specific amount of time that allows the hormones to dissipate enough to be able to think clearly and more easily choose a response (vs. react). Also, it’s always a wonderful reminder to stop and appreciate the moment, especially when feeling overwhelmed, down, or frustrated.
Menopause Resources from Sara
Menopause Taylor YouTube channel – Barbara Taylor, M.D. is a gynecologist who has adopted the name “Menopause Taylor” and taken the professional and fashionable reputation of Barbie to a whole new level. In a completely unbiased manner, she guides you in tailoring all the management options to your own particular needs and desires in five categories: (1) Diet & Lifestyle, (2) Vitamin & Mineral, (3) Herbal & Botanical, (4) Hormonal Medication, and (5) Non-hormonal Medication.
The Biology of Peri-Menopause and Menopause – Learn about what menopause is and what symptoms to expect, how to manage them, and what natural treatments you can employ.
Mental Health During Menopause – The second session of our “Menopause: Body, Mind, and Spirit” series. A panel of mental health specialists discuss particular stressors common during this time, how to anticipate them, and how to manage them.
Spiritual Health during Menopausal Years – The third session of our “Menopause: Body, Mind, and Spirit” virtual series. How to care for your emotional and relational needs and how they may change during this period.
The Living Joyfully Network community
The Network is a wonderful online community for parents to connect and 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.
This month, our theme is Embracing Beginner’s Mind and we’re exploring it through the lenses of release and explore.
If you’re curious to learn more, click here!
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I deeply appreciate all my patrons. Your generous support helps pay for the hosting and transcription, as well as my time spent creating new episodes each week. It’s instrumental in keeping the growing podcast archive freely available to anyone who’s curious and wants to explore the fascinating world of unschooling. If you’d like to join my community of patrons and scoop up some great rewards along the way, check out the Exploring Unschooling page on Patreon.
... an online resource for parents wanting to live joyfully with their children through unschooling. If you're passionate about exploring the world with your children, this site is for you. I'm Pam Laricchia, the author and owner of this site. Thanks for inviting me along on your unschooling journey!
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