One (Anonymous) Family Discovers Unschooling

Over a recent holiday vacation, Kevin caught up with relatives of his about their experience unschooling. This family, with kids ranging in age from 7 months to twelve years, came upon unschooling almost by accident. They originally set out to homeschool their children, but noticed that the children learned much more by following their passions. Wishing to remain anonymous, the family sat down with Kevin for a face-to-face discussion everything from what their kids choose to do with their time to the benefits and the self-doubt that come with unschooling. Enjoy.


1:07 - How the family found their way to unschooling: “I would say it was not necessarily our original plan.”
4:40 - How the Kids Learned to Read: “He just took off!”
8:54 - Accommodating Diverse Interests: “I really learn along with the kids.”
11:18 - A Bit of Formal Curriculum: “It just helps me feel at ease or at peace more.”
14:44 - Anxieties and Difficulties of Unschooling in a Schooled Culture: “It’s almost a ‘comparing with the Jones’” type mentality that I think we all struggle with.”
24:38 - Some More Anxieties About Unschooling: “I remember us having anxieties that he’s wasting so much time.”
29:51 - Biggest Challenges (and Benefits) of Unschooling: “Mommy, what grade am I in?”
34:44 - Biggest Benefits of Unschooling: “They’ve been able to learn the process of following something until the interest wanes.”
39:09 - What Advice Do You Have for Others? “they’re getting a really great education just by being around you.”