#188 - Unschooling Halloween: Everyday Learning in Disguise
Text Sue what you think!Unschooling + Halloween = real learning. 🎃 Discover how curiosity, culture, and connection replace curriculum this week with Sue Patterson’s gentle guidance.__________________________No Need to Pause Learning — Halloween Is the Lesson!Ever wonder how you’re going to celebrate holidays — like Halloween or Día de los Muertos — and fit in the lessons you planned for the week? 🎃 Here’s the secret: you don’t have to choose. The holiday is the lesson.In this week’s Unschooling Mom2Mom Podcast episode, Sue shows how these fall celebrations are filled with real learning opportunities — from spooky storytelling and candy math to science, art, and cultural history. You’ll see how learning weaves naturally into family traditions when you slow down, stay curious, and let the season lead the way.Whether you’re almost unschooling or a (usually) confident unschooler, this conversation will help you relax, reconnect, and see the everyday learning that’s already happening all around you.🎃 Inside the Episode:How to let Halloween be the lessonSubject-by-subject learning ideas (Language Arts, Math, Science, Fine Arts, and Social Studies)Día de los Muertos projects that connect heart, history, and creativityHow connection teaches more than curriculum ever could💡 Resources Mentioned:Blog post: Unschooling & Halloween Hub🎧 “An Unschooler’s Haunted House” — a fun, spooky throwback episode🍂 Seasonal Unschooling Guide for Autumn📅 November Strewing Calendar — packed with easy ideas + a private portal showing the learning behind them✨ Subscribe on YouTube or your favorite podcast app for weekly encouragement — and remember, pausing curriculum doesn't mean pausing LEARNING.Holidays can BE the lessons! Support the show_____________________________________________________As always, reach out if you need more help. You don't have to do this alone!Free Email List with weekly unschooling resourcesLike what you're hearing - buy Sue a cup of coffee! Buy Me a Coffee Creating Confidence Membership Group Podcast listeners can join without the sign up fee - so use this link! UNSCHOOLING 101 Course Math WITHOUT Curriculum Course Unschooling Transcript Course Seasonal Unschooling Guides Private 1:1 Coaching with Sue www.UnschoolingMom2Mom.com
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#187 But I Want a CHECKLIST! Letting Go of School Habits in Unschooling
Text Sue what you think!Watch Video Version HereStill searching for a checklist to prove you’re “doing it right”?In this episode, Sue Patterson breaks down why unschooling doesn’t come with boxes to check — and why that’s both scary and freeing. Join a coaching-call-inspired conversation about the brain’s habit of seeking structure, why we feel compelled to “perform” as parents, and how we can shift from tracking tasks to checking connection. If you’re a parent moving away from school-style validation toward real life learning, this episode will help you reframe success, reconnect with your child, and trust your own rhythm.Keywords: unschooling, deschooling, homeschooling, checklist mentality, parenting without curriculum, connection over structure, unschooling parents, free-range learning, trusting your rhythmYou’ll learn:Why our obsession with checklists comes from a school-brain still wired for “right answers”How unschooling challenges that structure — and what to do insteadA simple daily question to replace “Did I finish the list?” with “Did we connect today?”Why “progress” looks different in unschooling — and how to see what’s realResources mentioned:365 Days of DeschoolingSeasonal Unschooling Guides Strewing CalendarCreating Confidence Unschooling Membership (community & coaching)Tune in to reset your checklist culture and rediscover freedom, curiosity, and trust in learning together.Listen now on all major podcast platforms.Read the transcript here at the Unschooling Mom2Mom Blog.Support the show_____________________________________________________As always, reach out if you need more help. You don't have to do this alone!Free Email List with weekly unschooling resourcesLike what you're hearing - buy Sue a cup of coffee! Buy Me a Coffee Creating Confidence Membership Group Podcast listeners can join without the sign up fee - so use this link! UNSCHOOLING 101 Course Math WITHOUT Curriculum Course Unschooling Transcript Course Seasonal Unschooling Guides Private 1:1 Coaching with Sue www.UnschoolingMom2Mom.com
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186 - Too Late to Unschool Teens?
Text Sue what you think!(Spoiler: It’s Not) 🎁 Grab the Free PDF: 20 Reasons It’s Time to Unschool Your TeenIf your teen is burned out, unmotivated, or just done with school, you’re not alone. So many parents wonder if it’s too late to change direction — too late to repair connection, too late to make learning joyful again.Sue Patterson shares what you need to know: ✨ It’s not too late — it’s right on time.You’ll hear why teens can still thrive with unschooling, how real learning never depended on school, and how rebuilding trust and curiosity at home changes everything. Get all the resources for parents of teens in Sue's Creating Confidence Membership Group💚 Resources You Need: Homeschooled Teens book → https://www.unschoolingmom2mom.com/product/homeschooled-teens-bookFree companion guide: 20 Reasons It’s Time to Unschool Your TeenTranscripts Course → https://suepatterson-unschooling.thinkific.com/courses/unschooling-transcriptsCreating Confidence Membership → Get all the resources for parents of teens in Sue's Creating Confidence Membership Group https://www.unschoolingmom2mom.com/creating-confidence-membership🎧 Subscribe to the Unschooling Mom2Mom Podcast for weekly encouragement, real stories, and practical support on your unschooling journey.Support the show_____________________________________________________As always, reach out if you need more help. You don't have to do this alone!Free Email List with weekly unschooling resourcesLike what you're hearing - buy Sue a cup of coffee! Buy Me a Coffee Creating Confidence Membership Group Podcast listeners can join without the sign up fee - so use this link! UNSCHOOLING 101 Course Math WITHOUT Curriculum Course Unschooling Transcript Course Seasonal Unschooling Guides Private 1:1 Coaching with Sue www.UnschoolingMom2Mom.com
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185 - How Kids Learn to Make Decisions — The Unschooling Way
Text Sue what you think!Autonomy doesn’t grow from obedience — it grows from real life experience.In this episode, Sue Patterson shares how unschooled kids learn to weigh pros and cons, think through choices, and develop real decision-making confidence. You’ll explore what cost/benefit thinking looks like in everyday life — from messy art projects to sports teams and video games — and why stepping back as a parent creates space for growth. Learn how unschooling gives kids the practice they need to trust themselves, one choice at a time.MORE ABOUT THE MEMBERSHIPSupport the show_____________________________________________________As always, reach out if you need more help. You don't have to do this alone!Free Email List with weekly unschooling resourcesLike what you're hearing - buy Sue a cup of coffee! Buy Me a Coffee Creating Confidence Membership Group Podcast listeners can join without the sign up fee - so use this link! UNSCHOOLING 101 Course Math WITHOUT Curriculum Course Unschooling Transcript Course Seasonal Unschooling Guides Private 1:1 Coaching with Sue www.UnschoolingMom2Mom.com
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#184 - Shaky Start? Pivot Homeschool to Unschooling (+ Q & A)
Text Sue what you think!Shaky start with homeschooling? You’re not failing—the plan is. Sue Patterson shares how to pivot from “school at home” to unschooling with confidence, reframe the “basics,” and calm the September wobble. + Q&A and resources to help right now.___________________________LAST DAY SALEUnschooling Mom2Mom Parent Toolkit: ALL 25 guides = $99 👉 https://suepatterson-unschooling.thinkific.com/courses/guidesAnnual Membership Sale: Year-round support with Sue & the community (group coaching, Q&As, 30-day deschooling challenge replays, and parent support). 👉 https://www.unschoolingmom2mom.com/product/Annual-Membership-NOT-Back-to-School-Sale_____________________Those first weeks can feel shaky—kids resist, plans unravel, and the “Am I doing enough?” spiral kicks in. In this expanded episode, Sue explains why early plans collapse (hint: school conditioning), how to see resistance as feedback, and simple ways to pivot toward connection, curiosity, and real learning at home.You’ll learn: – Why “school at home” breaks down + what works – How kids learn reading, writing, and math in real life (no power struggles) – When things feel dull or screens dominate – A mindset check to quiet the doubts – Balancing expectations – What “letting kids lead” looks likeQ&A: pivot vs sticking with it | child-led” in practice | “falling behind” & the basics | resistance & grit | balancing expectationsRESOURCES: Unschooling 101: https://suepatterson-unschooling.thinkific.com/courses/Unschooling101 Unschooling Math: https://suepatterson-unschooling.thinkific.com/courses/unschooling-math Technology Guide: https://www.unschoolingmom2mom.com/product/Technology Dealing with Critics: https://www.unschoolingmom2mom.com/product/Critics-&-Naysayers Gratitude/Family CultSupport the show_____________________________________________________As always, reach out if you need more help. You don't have to do this alone!Free Email List with weekly unschooling resourcesLike what you're hearing - buy Sue a cup of coffee! Buy Me a Coffee Creating Confidence Membership Group Podcast listeners can join without the sign up fee - so use this link! UNSCHOOLING 101 Course Math WITHOUT Curriculum Course Unschooling Transcript Course Seasonal Unschooling Guides Private 1:1 Coaching with Sue www.UnschoolingMom2Mom.com
The Unschooling Mom2Mom podcast is a quick conversation with Sue Patterson, coach, author, and mother of 3 grown unschoolers. Sue shares inspiration and tips to help you find the unschooling confidence you're looking for! Even if you’re more of a “homeschooler” than an “unschooler,” these 10 minute(ish) podcasts can help you find more joy in parenting, educating and connecting with your children!
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