Shows
Unschooling Mom2Mom#175 Connecting with Your Gamer TeenText Sue what you think!🎮 How to Connect with Your Gamer Teen (Without Pushing Them Away)Do you feel like your teen is slipping away—and gaming is the wall between you?You’re not alone. Whether you're unschooling or just trying to build a healthier relationship with your teen, this episode will help parents reframe what gaming means and how your reactions might be unintentionally creating more distance.In this episode of the Unschooling Mom2Mom Podcast, Sue Patterson (unschooling coach, mom of 3 grown unschoolers, and author...2025-07-0812 minUnschooling Mom2Mom#173 Why Unschooling Can Feel So Hard - 10 Common StrugglesText Sue what you think!If unschooling feels harder than you expected, you’re not alone. In this episode, Sue Patterson walks you through 10 of the most common struggles parents face when they start unschooling — from doubting your instincts to feeling overwhelmed by outside pressure.We’ll explore why these challenges come up, how to reframe them, and what practical steps you can take to move from fear to confidence. Whether you're brand new to unschooling or just having a tough week, this episode will help you feel seen, supported, and ready to move forward.🔗...2025-06-2010 minUnschooling Mom2Mom#172 Transcripts for Unschoolers or Relaxed Homeschoolers: How to Do It and Why It MattersText Sue what you think!Worried about how to create a high school transcript for your unschooler or relaxed homeschooler?? You’re not alone—and you don’t have to wait until senior year (or ditch your unschooling approach) to figure it out. In this episode, Sue Patterson shares why it’s actually easier and more empowering to start thinking about transcripts long before you “need” one.Whether your teen is headed to college, trade school —or isn’t sure yet— setting up a transcript will show you how to see the learning already ha...2025-06-1307 minUnschooling Mom2Mom#171 How to End Your Homeschool Year with ConfidenceText Sue what you think!Don't Miss: Free End-of-Year Celebration Checklist!What if the school year didn’t go as planned?It's ok to call it "Done!"Sue Patterson shares supportive, real-world advice for homeschoolers and unschoolers who feel like they fell short this year. You’ll learn how to let go of guilt, reframe “unfinished” learning, and even throw a meaningful end-of-year celebration — whether your child is 8 or 18.Plus, Sue walks you through how to spot real learning in your everyday life and use it to create...2025-05-2709 minUnschooling Mom2Mom#170 What Is Deschooling? 5 Reasons to Make It a Homeschooling PriorityText Sue what you think!What Is Deschooling? 5 Reasons to Make It a PriorityDeschooling isn’t a one-time break—it’s an essential shift that helps unschooling thrive. In this episode, Sue Patterson shares 5 quick reasons to actually prioritize deschooling and what happens when we don’t.🎧 Whether you’re just getting started or circling back after burnout, I want to help you reconnect with your why—and get rid of some of that sneaky school baggage - AND see practical suggestions for HOW to deschool whether you're unschooling, homeschooling more traditional...2025-05-0213 minUnschooling Mom2Mom#159 Unschooling Red Flags: January Signals You Shouldn’t IgnoreText Sue what you think!Unschooling Red Flags: January Signals You Shouldn’t IgnoreAre fears creeping in on your unschooling journey? In this episode of the Unschooling Mom2Mom podcast, Sue Patterson helps parents identify "red flags" that pop up when doubts arise, like "Are they learning enough?" or "Am I doing enough?" Whether you're new to unschooling or have been at it a while, this episode offers guidance to tackle these worries, break free from school conditioning, and strengthen your confidence. Lear...2025-01-1409 minUnschooling Mom2Mom#158 Unschooling 101: The Step-by-Step Strategy to Start NowText Sue what you think!Are you considering unschooling but wondering how to make it work for your family? In this episode, Sue Patterson—unschooling coach and mentor since the 1990s—shares a practical, step-by-step strategy to help you confidently navigate the transition away from traditional schooling.Discover how unschooling fosters connection, creativity, and curiosity while addressing the real-world challenges parents face, from setting up an unschooling-friendly home to overcoming fears and doubts. Sue dives into the importance of deschooling for parents, tackling internal work, and handling outside judgment, all while showing how to cr...2025-01-0909 minUnschooling Mom2Mom#157 Looking back & Moving Forward: Celebrating our Unschooling CommunityText Sue what you think!Are you curious about unschooling or looking for support on your journey?In this special year-end episode, I’m Sue Patterson, and I’m reflecting on an incredible year with the Unschooling Mom2Mom community. We’ll dive into how unschooling parents in my private membership group overcame fears, embraced real-life learning, and discovered creative ways to help their kids thrive—whether it was making math stress-free, translating unschooling into progress reports, or finding harmony with skeptical spouses.Learn how connection, community, and confidence make all the diffe...2024-12-3105 minUnschooling Mom2Mom#156 - Exploring Unschooling in this Liminal SpaceText Sue what you think!Let's use this weird week between Christmas and New Years as an opportunity to make a shift to an educational path that will actually work! Sue Patterson shares ideas for how to use this "liminal space" as your chance to pause, reflect and maybe see how shifting toward unschooling could be the solution to what happened in the last semester.____________________________________________________________________ Creating Confidence Membership End of Year Special 6-months of Support - ONLY $240!$40/mo instead of $49/monthNEED...2024-12-2608 minUnschooling Mom2Mom#155 - Turning Toward Winter - Learning with the SeasonsText Sue what you think!Join the Creating Confidence Community - Sue Patterson's private membership group for coaching, community, exclusive resources and connection with other parents. Only $49/month - no sign up fee for podcast listeners! Talk with Sue 1:1 - December offers discounted coaching calls http://www.suepatterson.as.me/december-discount--------Tonight's special Winter Solstice episode is all about seeing the learning that's happening naturally in winter. You don't have to worry that you didn't finish those chapters or lesson plans, shifting your...2024-12-2206 minUnschooling Mom2Mom#154 Become an Unschooling Holiday Prepper: Surviving the Family GatheringsText Sue what you think!Are you ready for the questions about unschooling that always seem to come up at holiday gatherings? In this episode, we’re diving into strategies to confidently and calmly handle the curiosity, concerns, and critiques from family and friends. From preparing your kids for the common questions to navigating the worries that may be lobbed your way, this episode equips you with quick answers and thoughtful responses.BLACK FRIDAY DEALSUltimate Unschooling Guide Bundle23 Unschooling Guides designed to help you conquer fears, add...2024-11-2709 minUnschooling Mom2Mom152 - An Unschooler's Haunted HouseText Sue what you think!Get ready for an eerie twist on unschooling! In this Halloween special, Sue Patterson guides Unschooling Mom2Mom Podcast listeners through “An Unschooling Haunted House: It Could Never Happen... Or Could It?” This episode imagines the ultimate unschooling nightmare, where standardized tests, endless worksheets, and college-obsessed ghosts lurk around every corner! Venture into rooms like The Endless Worksheet Room and meet the “Prove It!" Poltergeist  who can’t stop haunting you with questions.In this spooky journey, Sue Patterson explores...2024-10-2806 minUnschooling Mom2Mom#151 Understanding Unschooling - A Message for Friends & FamilyText Sue what you think!Are family members or friends concerned about your decision to unschool? Or are you a relative wondering what unschooling really means for your loved ones? In this episode, we dive deep into how unschooling works and address common worries and misconceptions. Sue Patterson shares practical insights on how family members can show support, as well as addressing some of the common concerns about unschooling.  Whether you’re an unschooling parent dealing with concerned relatives or a family member looking for answers, this episode will guide you toward unders...2024-10-2110 minUnschooling Mom2Mom#147 Helping Unschooled Kids Navigate QuestionsText Sue what you think!Your kids are probably bumping into a few more questions than usual with neighborhood kids returning to school. This week, on the Unschooling Mom2Mom Podcast, Sue Patterson shares how parents can help their kids with some of the typical questions that may trip them up! Unschooling Resources Mentioned:NOT Back-to-School WebinarAugust 22, 2024Podcast Transcript Herehttps://www.unschoolingmom2mom.com/navigating-questionsSupport the show_____________________________________________________As always, reach out if you need help figuring out...2024-08-1509 minUnschooling Mom2Mom#144 Unschoolers Don't Teach - What??? How is that ok??Text Sue what you think!That's an alarming title, right? But it's something that's been a confusing point within the homeschooling and unschooling community. Unschoolers focus on the Learning instead of the Teaching.Yet, that is easily misconstrued as "Unschoolers don't Learn" or "Unschooling Parents are neglectful" - and NOTHING could be further fro the truth!This topic has surfaced online a lot lately - so Sue Patterson breaks it all down for you in this week's Unschooling Mom2Mom Podcast!Another Podcast:#7 Teaching, Learning, and Unschooling2024-07-1810 minUnschooling Mom2Mom#143 Loop Scheduling - and Unschooling?Text Sue what you think!Are you trying to get organized but wonder how that can work with unschooling? Loop Scheduling is a possiblity! In this week's Unschooling Mom2Mom Podcast, Sue talks about how to keep the concept of unschooling alive and well AND still do Loop Scheduling if you'd like! Nope - it's not going to look the same as how traditional homeschoolers will implement it!Transcript Herehttps://www.unschoolingmom2mom.com/loop-scheduling-and-unschoolingPodcast #23: Structure, Schedules & Unschoolinghttps://youtu.be/OdRgRak3d8E2024-06-2510 minUnschooling Mom2Mom#142 Overcoming Difficult Situations - as the only homeschoolers in the room!Text Sue what you think!Gatherings with friends and family can happen all year long! And when you've decided to do something different, all eyes are on you - or at least it can feel like that. This week's podcast is to help you manage these tricky situations and feel good about your responses. Thinking specificallly about how to prepare for various questions or scenarios will help you so much. Here are a few resources mentioned for those who are new to homeschooling or unschooling homeschoolers. Sue's Free Resources in...2024-06-2008 minUnschooling Mom2Mom#141 Father's Day: Unschooling Lessons from the Side of the PoolText Sue what you think!Happy Father's Day! Sharing a Bonus podcast from Unschooling Mom2Mom to help make sense of some of the confusion out on the internet. Sue Patterson shares some stories from her own dad, that offers a little Father's Day insight!Reach out if you need a little more help.Private Coaching Calls in June are only $50/half hour! Get your questions asked and answered! http://www.suepatterson.as.me/junespecialSummer Specials: https://www.unschoolingmom2mom.com/summer-unschooling2024-06-1609 minUnschooling Mom2Mom#138 Unschooling and Mother's DayText Sue what you think!Let's celebrate in a way that really WORKS for you, Mom! This podcast will help you see that waiting around for others to appreciate us may not be the best approach. Sue Patterson shares practical tips to help you feel good about Mother's Day this year. Lots of links at the website too:MOTHER'S DAY ULTIMAE COLLECTION PAGEhttp://www.UnschoolingMom2Mom.com/mothers-day***FREE PDF for Mother's Day***Mother's Day Playlist at YouTube...2024-05-1012 minUnschooling Mom2Mom#136 How do Unschoolers Learn Subjects WITHOUT Curriculum?Text Sue what you think!That's one of the biggest questions from parents looking into unschooling?It's what we talked about in April's Unschooling Question of the Month.And even after an hour of talking about it on the video (recording here) Sue Patterson shares even more about how unschooling provides everything your child will need! Free PDF mentioned on the Podcast:Follow-Up Unschooling ResourcesAcademic BundleUnschooling Guides to show you specifically how unschoolers learn The Basics (Reading/Writing/Math) plus the...2024-04-1312 minUnschooling Mom2Mom#134: Finding Your People - How DO Unschoolers Find Each Other?Text Sue what you think!Are you having trouble finding other unschooling families?Or maybe you’d just like to find people who don’t want to talk about curriculum all the time?This week, I'm sharing 5 ways you can find the people who are going to make this unschooling journey more enjoyable. It's so great to find others who are also working their way through their fears, deschooling their old ideas, and embracing a better life for their own family.Here are a few resources mentioned on the Podcast:🎙 See the...2024-03-1911 minUnschooling Mom2Mom#133: Pi Day - Your Unschooling Reality CheckText Sue what you think!Pi Day is this Week! And maybe you're looking for some ideas or wondering what to do if your kid isn't really into it. Let's get real about PiDay!Collection of 85 Pi Day Memes and Jokes here:https://www.unschoolingmom2mom.com/pi-dayPinterest Board: Pi Dayhttps://www.pinterest.com/umom2mom/pi-day-fun/Strewing Calendarhttps://www.unschoolingmom2mom.com/strewing-calendarsSue's Membership Group - where parents support each other without any pressure!See what's included here: https://www...2024-03-1211 minUnschooling Mom2Mom#132: Too Much Technology? How do I know??Text Sue what you think!Parents worry all the time about whether their kids are on their devices too much. Our childhoods certainly weren't like this - and now that the kids are home all the time, that can seem like a LOT of time on technology.So what do we do? Sue Patterson shares strategies for how to accurately assess the situation and gives some solutions you could use today!UNSCHOOLING RESOURCES MENTIONEDUnschooling Guide: Brainstorm TimePrivate Coaching with SueGroup Coaching Past...2024-03-0508 minUnschooling Mom2Mom#131: Lean Into the Love - An Unschooling Mom Looks BackText Sue what you think!I have a Bonus Episode for you this week! Last minute add-on!What's the big takeaway when an unschooling mom looks back? Lean into the Love. Originally written in 2012, and now updated for 2024, Sue Patterson share's what she wish she had known... way back when.More Valentine's Day info:https://www.unschoolingmom2mom.com/unschooling-valentines-dayJoin Sue's Unschooling Updates (free email list for weekly resources)https://unschooling-mom2mom.ck.page/49e159063fSupport the show2024-02-1510 minUnschooling Mom2Mom#126: Unschooling Typical Days - 3 Secrets to Success!Text Sue what you think!What IS an unschooling day like? That's one of the most common questions when parents are thinking about unschooling as a homeschooling option. We KNOW what school looks like. We even have a pretty good guess about what traditional school-at-home homeschooling looks like. But unschooling? That's a different story! Sue Patterson shares insight on what's typical about unschooling days - and what's the problem with trying to find a formula or someone else's day to duplicate. Plus she's sharing 3 secrets successful unschoolers know! Now you'll know too!L...2024-01-0908 minUnschooling Mom2Mom#124: Switching from Homeschooling to UnschoolingText Sue what you think!As the semester winds down, many homeschooling parents are taking another look at their options. Maybe these past few months weren't what they expected. Maybe they'd like something different.Whether you're new to homeschooling this year, or you've been doing this for a little while, here's the reassurance you need that you're not alone! AND the information you need to know your next steps! Sue shares 5 Steps to Start the Transition from traditional homeschooling to unschooling. Don't worry, it's not that scary - and you don't h...2023-12-1316 minUnschooling Mom2Mom#122: Measuring and Comparing Our ChildrenText Sue what you think!Competition, comparison, and measuring our children may seem natural to us - because that's how we were raised. But maybe it's working against us as we move toward unschooling. Sue Patterson shares 4 ideas to consider that may help you make a healthier shift for yourself and your kids.3 other podcasts mentioned: What's Your Why?Your Own Educational PhilosophyYour Unschooling ManifestoJoin the Membership Today - No Sign-Up Fee for Podcast Listeners!You don't have to figure this all out by yourself. Coaching and co...2023-11-2709 minUnschooling Mom2Mom#119: When Grandparents are Anti-UnschoolingText Sue what you think!Are you choosing to unschooling, but your own parents are not embracing it? Sue Patterson shares what may be going on in this week's Unschooling Mom2Mom Podcast!Go to the website to see the graphic mentioned.Unschooling ResourcesUnschooling Guide: Critics and NaysayersThis PDF Guide will help you as you deal with your own critics.Creating Confidence Membership GroupSometimes we need to surround ourselves with other who will be more supportive._________________________...2023-11-0711 minUnschooling Mom2Mom#115: 100 Tips for Homeschooling ParentsText Sue what you think!Even if you aren't unschooling, these tips will help you see how your homeschooling experience with the kids could be so much better! Sue Patterson shares nearly 30 years of experience here on this week's podcast, helping you think about what matters and what doesn't really matter TO YOU. While you'll continue to deshool - because we can't see everything all at once, these ideas will plant some seeds to help you truly individualize the home education process for you and the kids!⬇️ Here's the transcript, with links...2023-09-2512 minUnschooling Mom2Mom#114: Unschooling Is Not UnparentingText Sue what you think!People have been referring to unschooling as unparenting for decades - and nothing could be farther from the truth!When people use the term “unparenting,” they usually mean something like this:No assistance or direction from the parentsParents who don’t publicly reprimand their kids when they don’t conform socially.Parents not enforcing bed times, allowing “back talk,” – not adhering to mainstream parenting techniquesKids who seem wild in public, maybe presenting with messy hair/poor hygieneTrue UnParenting is neglect – and that’s the opposite of unschooling. 2023-09-1814 minUnschooling Mom2Mom#113: Unschooling as a CompassText Sue what you think!Unschooling is widely misunderstood on the internet! Sue Patterson, who unschooled her own 3 now-grown "kids" shares how to be successful at interpreting unschooling. Thinking of it as a compass, it points you toward more individualization and more connection as opposed to simply duplicating what is familiar. It's time to rethink how we approach learning, parenting, and kids! This Unschooling Mom2Mom podcast can help you do that!Unschooling Resources Mentioned:Creating Confidence Special Deal for Podcast ListenersUnschooling Guide: Brainstorm Time!365 Days of Deschooling2023-09-1110 minUnschooling Mom2Mom#111: Dare to Unschool - Rewriting the RulesText Sue what you think!Sometimes it takes a while to get to the point where you try something really unconventional - like unschooling. Time's ticking though - the kids are getting older and doing what's familiar doesn't seem to be working for a lot of people.You DO have options! This Unschooling Mom2Mom Podcast shares how Sue Patterson went from a suburban mom who's kids weren't enjoying school - to 100% confident in the unschooling approach. She didn't do it alone and you don't have to either! This month, her Creating C...2023-08-2916 minUnschooling Mom2Mom#108: Decision Time - NOT Back-to-School SeriesText Sue what you think!It's Decision Time! You don't have to walk through this "Back-to-School" season all alone! This is the first video in our NOT Back-to-School series. Sue Patterson walks you through 3 tips to remember. Stay tuned, I'll have more this week - so be sure to subscribe so you'll be notified!I'm offering this here on the podcast as well as at YouTube. __________________________________________2 Free PDFs MENTIONED:Unschooling Essentials https://unschooling-mom2mom.ck.page/d74b68db832023-08-1508 minUnschooling Mom2Mom#103: Getting School Out of Your HeadText Sue what you think!... and why would we want to?Maybe a better title would have been:Unlearning Our Own School ExperienceandEmbracing a Better Way to Learn... for Our KidsWhy is is so hard to get schooly ideas out of our heads - especially all of those that don't really serve us now that our kids aren't in a classroom setting? Sue Patterson talks about it this week on the Unschooling Mom2Mom podcast.Support the show2023-07-0310 minUnschooling Mom2Mom#101: Let Go of Your Curriculum "Crutches!"Text Sue what you think!Why do you feel pulled to use curriculum - even when you like the idea of unschooling or a more relaxed approach to unschooling?Maybe we're bothered by critics - in Real Life and in our own minds - planting seeds of doubt.Or maybe it's the general society push and preoccupation with school Listen to Sue Patterson's quick Unschooling Mom2Mom podcast to understand what could be going on - and how to get past it!Here's the link to read along AND get l...2023-06-2010 minUnschooling Mom2Mom#100: Considering UnschoolingText Sue what you think!Are you on the fence about what to do?Are you leaving the school system and unsure which homeschooling method you should choose?Or maybe you've been homeschooling in a more traditional way and that just isn't working - for you or for the kids!That's what this episode is all about! I want to help you get some clarity so you can move forward. I have a little workout plan for you - don't worry, nothing too strenuous! But in one week, you'll have be on much...2023-06-1308 min