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Category: Learning Spaces

Children Who Don’t Go to School: What Does It Look like to Play All Day?
  • June 24, 2018
  • 1,444 word
  • 9

Children Who Don’t Go to School: What Does It Look like to Play All Day?

It is a beautiful sight to watch children at play. But, how sad that it is still so devalued. I often have […]

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On The Bookshelf: What We’re Reading (May 2017)
  • May 21, 2017
  • 797 words
  • 40

On The Bookshelf: What We’re Reading (May 2017)

“A book is a dream that you hold in your hand.” –Neil Gaiman It’s time to share some more dreams with you… […]

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What’s Under Our Christmas Tree – 2016 Gift Guide
  • December 2, 2016
  • 1,505 word
  • 13

What’s Under Our Christmas Tree – 2016 Gift Guide

It’s December already! Which means I really should be organised for Christmas by now, but as usual I’ve only just started the […]

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Natural Learning Outside the Home – What to Pack
  • June 10, 2016
  • 800 words
  • 15

Natural Learning Outside the Home – What to Pack

As unschoolers, the world is our classroom! There is so much to see and explore just by stepping out your front door. […]

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All You Need To Know About Loose Parts
  • May 27, 2016
  • 816 words
  • 19

All You Need To Know About Loose Parts

When my first daughter was a toddler she was forever emptying out the crayons and using them for things other than drawing. […]

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Sumblox – Wooden Blocks for Maths
  • May 2, 2016
  • 884 words
  • 12

Sumblox – Wooden Blocks for Maths

“Look Mum, I’m trying to make 10. A 9 and 1 makes 10. And now I have a 5 and a 2 […]

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Posts navigation

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Why I Don’t Like Play Based Learning
Homeschooling / Unschooling
Why I Don’t Like Play Based Learning
We Need to Talk About Childism
Parenting
We Need to Talk About Childism
10 Things to Say Instead of ‘Stop Crying’
Parenting
10 Things to Say Instead of ‘Stop Crying’
School is Unnecessary
Homeschooling / Unschooling
School is Unnecessary
What Is Unschooling?
Homeschooling / Unschooling
What Is Unschooling?
Why I stopped asking my kids to clean up
Parenting
Why I stopped asking my kids to clean up
8 Reasons NOT to Give Kids a Bedtime
Parenting
8 Reasons NOT to Give Kids a Bedtime
The Socialization Homeschooled Kids Don’t Get
Homeschooling
The Socialization Homeschooled Kids Don’t Get
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We've tried our best to raise our kids with freedo
We've tried our best to raise our kids with freedom and responsibility from the very beginning. Real opportunities to make decisions, experience consequences, solve problems, and ask for help.

We have not relied on strict rules, we have not punished them for mistakes, we have tried to respect their rights and freedom in everything.

Instead, we have principles, conversations, flexibility, advice, and even more conversations when we feel really strongly about something (hello social media! 🙃). 

We have definitely not been perfect at this, but we've done our best, and I'm so glad we didn't wait until adulthood to start treating them like people capable of making decisions.

If children spend their whole lives having decisions made for them, why do we expect them to suddenly know how to make good ones at 18? Making decisions is a skill and skills need practice!

Now my oldest is 17 and I'm so grateful we did it this way. I can see the proof. She makes good choices, she asks for advice when she needs it, she shares her excitement and her problems, and she's an all round wonderful person.

I know it's scary when kids get older, and sometimes the instinct is more rules, more control, to try and keep them safe, physically and emotionally! But I'm so glad I trusted them. What would be terrifying is if they hadn't had a lot of practice making decisions by the time they got to 18.

But by now, they're pros. And they know where to ask for help if they need it.


How We Plan Amazing Weeks as Unschoolers
Unschooling Tips: The 5 Ingredients Behind Our Most Magical Days
Rethinking Independent Learning
10 Essential Ingredients for Inspired Learning in Teens
The Real Gifts Your Children Need
Cheerleader, Not Coach: Why Your Kid Needs You to Step Back
The Unschooling Effect: Exceptional Teens?

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