Embracing Unschooling: A Journey of Freedom and Learning
Written on
Chapter 1: The Reality of Unschooling
Unschooling often raises eyebrows—are these kids simply wild, or are they confident self-starters?
Photo by Ben White on Unsplash
At times, I find myself wishing I had returned to my career sooner, instead of waiting a decade after my first child arrived. There's a lingering frustration regarding the pace of my professional growth due to my choices. And, if I’m truly honest, there are moments I yearn for solitude, even if it’s just for five minutes, to gather my thoughts.
A short drive to the grocery store feels exhilarating because I can choose the radio station. This is my life as a homeschooling parent, and despite the complaints that may surface, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
In our western society, we are privileged to have a wealth of educational options for our children. During the pandemic, many families were thrust into homeschooling, but as restrictions lifted, some chose to continue this path, realizing the stress-relief and happiness it brought their children.
However, not all families can maintain this lifestyle due to financial and work-related constraints. Homeschooling is a privilege that not everyone can afford, a reality I understand all too well. Unfortunately, we are approaching our last year of homeschooling, primarily due to rising expenses.
While a part of me feels sadness about this transition, I’m also eager for what lies ahead and am incredibly grateful for the time we spent home-educating.
Section 1.1: Understanding Unschooling
If you’ve encountered the concept of homeschooling, unschooling likely came up as well. Our family has experienced various educational methods: public schooling abroad, homeschooling, unschooling, and back to homeschooling.
Homeschooling refers to education conducted at home but varies greatly among families based on size, location, curricula, social engagements, and resources. Some families are structured, while others embrace a more relaxed approach, intertwining faith with education or not.
There are various homeschool groups and co-ops, alongside public school systems, employing qualified teachers for engaging activities. Unschooling is just one of many options available to families.
Unschooling operates without a strict curriculum, allowing children to choose how they spend their time. While it may appear that unschooled kids aren’t learning, they are acquiring knowledge in ways that suit them best.
During our unschooling phases, I’ve learned that children absorb information while they engage in play. It involves parents offering diverse play-based activities throughout the day.
The first video discusses how unschooled children learn organically, providing insights for new homeschoolers.
Section 1.2: The Freedom of Choice
Unschooling provides children with the freedom to make choices about their daily activities, which fosters their self-esteem and personal development. I see their pride when they complete a project or finish a book they've picked out themselves.
This autonomy allows them to take control of their time, demonstrating that even children can make wise choices. During these periods, I serve more as a facilitator rather than a traditional teacher. My children understand the routine and expectations, which reduces daily pressure on me.
Sometimes they opt not to engage in schoolwork, and that’s perfectly fine. This leads to one of my favorite benefits of unschooling: significantly more free time for the kids.
With no rigid schedule to follow, they can immerse themselves in various activities—both my older children participated in plays this year, learning about set design and costume creation. They have explored pottery, woodworking, and even enrolled in a botany class, alongside music lessons.
In the second video, parents share their unique experiences with unschooling, highlighting how it diverges from traditional homeschooling.
Chapter 2: The Family Bond
Our decision to unschool has granted us a level of flexibility that allows us to travel, visit family, or simply embark on spontaneous adventures. We don’t stress about missing school due to illness, as we approach life one day at a time—an approach that fosters a relaxed lifestyle.
The most significant advantage of unschooling is the time we spend together as a family. We enjoy each other’s company, and despite the occasional frustrations that arise, they are infrequent.
I believe our lifestyle has strengthened our family bond. My older children often invent imaginative games together, and we’ve navigated challenges as a unit, settling into a comfortable routine.
Knowing my children are safe and happy nearby brings me immense satisfaction. Their happiness contributes to my own, and ultimately, that’s what we all seek.
If you’re interested in the pursuit of happiness, subscribe to Happy on Purpose for FREE weekly insights and tips for achieving joy in daily life!