Over the last several years, there have been countless attempts to define (or un-define) unschooling. Some say it must look like this or that; others say that each unschooling experience will look different. Almost everyone, however, has focused on the details rather than the broader picture. While reading through The Unschooling Handbook, I was struck by the section titled “Traits of an Unschooling Household.” She listed three….

For us, one of unschooling’s greatest benefits is its natural reverence for a child’s self-worth. Rather than imposing our own structure on our children’s education, it necessitates that we trust our children and help them find and follow their own interests, forge their own paths, and pursue their own dreams.

My son (17 years old) and I are natural learners, or unschoolers. Unschooling is a way of learning that fits comfortably into a life that focuses on authenticity and simplicity. Unschooling is child-led and interest-driven. It is allowing children the freedom to explore their world and providing them, as much as possible, with the means to learn from their environment.

“So, you’re not his teacher, then….”