S8E167: The Transition from Homeschooling to Public School: Reflections and Realities with Homeschool Unrefined
Season 8 · Episode 167
Monday, September 2, 2024 • Duration 42:31
In this insightful episode I am joined by the hosts of Homeschool Unrefined, Angela and Maren. We dive deep into their personal journeys transitioning from homeschooling to public schooling with their children. As seasoned homeschoolers with a combined experience of over a decade, they share the challenges, surprises, and rewards that have come with this significant shift.
Episode Highlights:
Introduction to Homeschool Unrefined:
Meet Angela and Maren, the voices behind Homeschool Unrefined.
A brief history of their homeschooling journey and how they transitioned into podcasting.
Angela's Journey:
Life in Minnesota with three teens: 19, 17, and 15.
Reflecting on 10 years of homeschooling and the decision to move her children into public high school.
Maren's Journey:
From teaching in a classroom to homeschooling her four children: 17, 15, 15, and 13.
Navigating the complexities of homeschooling with neurodiverse children and how that influenced their learning styles.
Homeschooling to Public School Transition:
The decision-making process behind the shift from homeschool to public school.
The importance of empowering children to take ownership of their education and advocate for their needs.
Challenges and Lessons Learned:
The mental shift required for parents when moving from a structured classroom environment to a more flexible homeschooling approach.
How their children adapted academically and socially in the public school system.
Reflections on Teaching and Education:
Insights from their experiences as former classroom teachers and how that influenced their homeschooling approach.
Discussing the balance between academic rigor and fostering a love of learning.
Maintaining Core Values:
How their family values and educational philosophies have remained intact despite the shift to public schooling.
The ongoing role of homeschooling principles in their children's education and personal growth.
Practical Advice for Families:
Tips for parents considering a similar transition from homeschooling to traditional schooling.
The importance of flexibility, understanding your child's unique learning needs, and maintaining a focus on holistic development.
Reassuring advice on the long-term benefits of homeschooling and how it sets children up for success.
Final Thoughts:
Embrace Variety: It's okay to have multiple interests and hobbies. Trying new things adds richness to life and helps you discover more about yourself.
Learning is Personal: Everyone learns differently, and that's something to be celebrated. Finding what works best for you is key to feeling good in your own skin, mind, and body.
Modeling Curiosity: As lifelong learners, we set an example for our children. Curiosity and self-care are powerful tools for personal growth.
Confidence in Your Path: Trust in your unique journey. The system might not always fit you, and that's okay. It's not about you—it's about the system. Continue to explore and adapt learning methods that
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcast or Spotify and share your thoughts on homeschooling and education transitions with us on our social media channels!
This is a question that plagues all homeschoolers from time to time. In this episode, Robyn Robertson of Honey! I’m Homeschooling the Kids and Kelly Edwards of 90-Minute School Day conclude their 4-part “How To Be An Awesome Homeschooler” summer conversation series.
What is ‘enough’? How do we define it? How do we know if we are falling behind? What is ‘behind’?
Listen-in as this topic is broken down into three steps to debunk the fears or to notice an area that needs change. Then we share the 4 ingredients to include in your homeschool to enact that move.
This conversation guides you in shifting from wondering if you’re doing enough to feeling contentment and peace, knowing “I am enough” in my homeschooling.
Evgenia is a homeschooling mama of one boy and the founder of Fit Mama Method. She was born in the Soviet Union and lived in Russia until 29 years old. She holds 2 Master Degrees in Journalism and Sports. Evgenia came to Canada to complete a college program and decided to stay. She was the head coach of an Acrobatic Gymnastics Program and a personal trainer until she decided to stay home with her son.
Evgenia is a homeschool mom and entrepreneur. Her Nourished Motherhood Program has helped many homeschooling mamas to beat burn-out with a holistic approach to wellbeing, motherhood and homeschooling.
In This Episode
Often, my podcast interviews offer perspective into different points of view, circumstances and the rest of the world. It can be easy to live our life and assume that everyone shares similar thoughts, ideals and circumstances. But that is not always the case. I personally enjoy hearing the stories from others that have grown up and lived a learning life quite different from my own, or the one that I know. It gives me a better understanding of the world.
In this episode Evgenia shares about life growing up in the Soviet Union and how that reflects on childhood and parenting. What does a life shaped by living behind the Iron Curtain look like? We talked about:
The school system (a day in the life of the school day, and class in the Soviet Union)
Raising children (the expectations on both kids and parents)
Family and community purpose (How differently they varied from life in the western world today)
Homeschooling
This was a wonderful discussion on not only how we are shaped, but the changes that we go through in our lives that begin to change our world, values and parenting. And of course...lead us to homeschooling.
S7E156: How Do You Know If Online Learning Is The Right Option?
Season 7 · Episode 156
Tuesday, April 11, 2023 • Duration 51:49
How Do You Know If Online Learning Is The Right Option?
Technology has become a powerful tool in learning, transforming education in numerous ways. It has increased access to education, information and resources. Learning opportunities are now, quite literally, right at our finger tips.
Technology has not only increased our access to information, but it has also broadened our access to where and how we want to learn and who we choose to learn with.
One format that has grown is online learning. It seems like at if we are looking for a class, or school, most likely we can find an online class that will teach it. But with all of this choice now on offer, how can we know if we are choosing right? How do you know if online learning is the right option?
Invited 2 experienced educators in the online learning space to explore this question with me.
Anjilee Ferguson and Sara Busalacchi have over a decade of experience in online learning, working in the field since its inception. They have a passion for helping students succeed which led them to co-found Mountain Point Academy, an online school for grades 6-12. Their mission is to help provide students with a personalized approach to online learning, with 1:1 support for students to find joy in learning and citizenship.
In This Episode
Anjilee and Sara take the time to answer my questions about online learning.
How do you know if online learning is the right learning option?
How do you find out of the online learning option aligns with your needs and values?
What options are available?
How can we best support our kids in their online learning experience?
What are points to look for when choosing an online learning community?
Can online learning be relationship based?
What is the difference between synchronous and asynchronous learning?
S7E155: Free To Learn and PLAY with Dr. Peter Gray
Season 7 · Episode 155
Tuesday, March 21, 2023 • Duration 01:05:50
Free To Learn and PLAY with Dr. Peter Gray
Peter Gray is an American psychologist, author and research professor. He has conducted and published research in neuroendocrinology, developmental psychology, anthropology, and education.
He has been a regular contributor to Psychology Today magazine and is a founding member and president of the nonprofit Alliance for Self-Directed Education (ASDE) and a founding board director of the nonprofit Let Grow.
He earned his undergraduate degree at Columbia College and Ph.D. in biological sciences at the Rockefeller University many years ago. His own current play includes kayaking, long-distance bicycling, backwoods skiing, and vegetable gardening.
In This Episode: The Importance Of Free Play
This episode is a re-release of an earlier episode with Peter Gray. (episode 47)
It is such a wonderful and important discussion that I want to make sure it stays accessible.
In this episode we talk about:
The importance of FREE PLAY
Self Directed Learning and the key parts of the self directed learning environment
The lack of free play in our world today and what the absence of it has led to
Parents Fears around self directed education
Resources
Research studies:
S7E154: How Unschooling Affected My Life: Liana Francisco
Season 7 · Episode 154
Wednesday, March 8, 2023 • Duration 01:08:11
How Unschooling Affected My Life: Liana Francisco
Has anyone ever said to you that this whole idea of Unschooling does not end well? That kids will never be self directed? That there is no evidence that self directed learning actually works?
Have they listened to my podcast? Have the heard the interviews I and countless others have shared? Well, here is more to add to the list.
This is part of a series I am exploring on grown homeschoolers and Self Directed Teens.
In This Episode~ Living As If School Doesn't Exist
This episode is filled with so much insight and information on growing up without school, without any of the expectations of school. Liana shares what it was like living as if school doesn't exist.
Liana Francisco is a grown Unschooler that now Unschools her son. She is a multi-passionate entrepreneur who was unschooled from birth to 16 when she started college full time. She is 40 years old, so she was unschooled way back in the day when you still got the evil eye from the mail man and grocery store clerks.
Liana has a vegan wholesale food business, a consulting business, and a YouTube channel where she teaches moms with young kids how to make plant-based eating EASY with a system. She also teaches moms how to hack homemaking for more freedom AND an organized family.
Liana also shares important advice for parents that are considering this path or are uncertain about unschooling as their children grow older.
We talked about:
Creating Environments That Are Right For Learning
How Did They Learn To Read Without Direct Instruction?
The Order Of Natural Learning (heads up- it doesn't resemble the order of school based learning)
How Will Unschoolers Succeed If Their Life Never Resembles School?
Does Hard Work, Independence and Study Skills Happen With Unschooling?
The Unreal Expectations Of Unschooling
S7E153: How Homeschooling Affected My Life
Season 7 · Episode 153
Tuesday, February 28, 2023 • Duration 50:31
How Homeschooling Affected My Life with Amanda Schenkenberger
Amanda Schenkenberger is a grown homeschooler that now homeschools her own 4 children. She is also a homeschool coach and mentor to moms that are busy trying to find more joy and less anxiety in homeschooling. You can connect with Amanda and access her support through her website, moms.heartsmarthomeschool.com
In this episode Amanda took time out to share her reflections, triumphs and struggles through homeschooling.
"How homeschooling affected my life and how it translated to her homeschool now."
In This Episode with Amanda
I often get the question, this seems great for a few years when they are young, but how do homeschoolers really turn out over the long run? What about:
Socialization?
How Will They Live In The "Real World" If They Are Never Told What To Do?
What Will They Learn If They Don't Go To School?
If They Do Go To School, Won't They Be Too Far Behind?
In this episode Amanda answers these questions and talks about how her experiences have shaped her as an adult.
She shares the strengths; the work ethic that she built even though her life was filled with a large amount of play and freedom.
Amanda shares the notable experiences that question what we think are set parameters of learning; like learning how to read from her deaf parent.
And the life shifts that brought change; her homeschooling days coming to an end as her parents went through a divorce.
As well as how she prepared going to school for the first time ever.
S7E152: How Can We Build FEARLESS Learners?
Season 7 · Episode 152
Tuesday, February 21, 2023 • Duration 01:11:45
How Can We Build FEARLESS Learners?
Kohila Sivas is the founder of Fearless Learners by SuccessCodes, where all children can learn and grow fearless with a Learning Success Coach by their side. Kohila's certified Learning Success coaches make learning easy with their proven holistic coaching methodology which is a unique and superior alternative to tutoring and teaching.
Kohila Sivas is also the creator of the revolutionary MathCodes Method™ and Meta-Learning DeStress Method™, a unique system designed to recover learning loss and demystify learning. These methods are grounded in brain science and neurolinguistics. She developed these systems over 24 years working one on one with over 1600 struggling students.
Kohila was once a struggling math student herself and is now a Learning Success Coach, Holobody coach by Mindvalley, Master NLP Practitioner, and Certified Hypnotherapist.
She is the host of the Alternative Education Summit, coming next Sept 2023, #1 Best-Selling author and host of From Fear to Fearless Show.
Kohila is the winner of 2022 Outstanding Leadership Award for the Contribution to the Field of Education and Learning and winner of Outstanding Organization Award.
She is also a fearless entrepreneur, parent, lifelong fighter, and learner.
Since March 2022, she has trained over 50+ passionate educators to launch and grow their independent Learning Success Coaching practices using her methods, with a mission to serve 1.5 million or more students by 2035.
Learning Success Coaching is a proven holistic coaching methodology that is a unique and superior alternative to tutoring and teaching in all subjects.
In This Episode
If you are a parent that is at an impasse because there is too much information, too many important decisions to make and you want more tangible support to help your children feel success in their learning, then this episode is for you.
S7E151: Build Your Community~How To Be An Awesome Homeschooler
Season 7 · Episode 151
Monday, February 6, 2023 • Duration 44:47
Build Your Community~How To Be An Awesome Homeschooler
Have you ever felt disconnected from community? Even more so now that you homeschool?
Are there times when you feel like your ideas on learning and living your family life are too different from others around you?
Do you want to connect wth others that "get you"?
Do you want to build your community?
Kelly Edwards and I have been in your shoes. As homeschool parents we have felt like taking the leap to home educate has isolated us at times.
It has also connected us to others who we may have not ever considered as community otherwise.
In this episode Kelly and I talk about our origin stories as homeschooling parents. We also share how we connected as friends in need of community.
If you are looking to learn more about homeschooling, unschooling, self directed learning, parenting, self improvement and just being awesome in general- we've got you :)
S7E150: Unschooling Q&A~ With Robyn Robertson & Liana Francisco
Season 7 · Episode 150
Wednesday, January 25, 2023 • Duration 01:10:26
Unschooling Q&A
How do I talk about Unschooling with my family and friends?
In Unschooling we can focus on following my children's interests but what happens when my child is not interested in anything and they are doing nothing all day?
How do we go from the structure of school to freedom? What is the transition to independence?
We Unschool but I have a child that wants to do workbooks. What do I do because this doesn't seem like Unschooling!?
How do we know when to trust, when to guide from a distance and when to intervene?
Am I enough to do this homeschooling or unschooling thing?
Have any of these questions crossed your mind? I am sure that at-least one of these has come up for you when it comes to unschooling, or homeschooling.
Answers In This Episode
This episode is a recording of a wonderful LIVE discussion that Liana Francisco and I hosted in my club, Honey! I'm Homeschooling on the Clubhouse app.
We asked for questions from families that needed support or wanted to just learn more about Unschooling and we devoted a month within the club to deep dive and answer as many questions as we could.
We received so much positive feedback from this conversation that I decided it was time to share it on the podcast.
Who is this episode for?
This episode is for you if you are looking at the unschooling world and like what you see, but are just not sure if it will fit.
This episode is for you if you have begun the unschooling journey but need more confidence or encouragement.
This episode is for you if you recognize you need to do something different with your family learning life, but are just not sure what yet. Could unschooling be something to consider?
Will you take a moment and rate the podcast? Go to the show in your feed and scroll down to leave a 5 star review with one-click. If you have a minute longer to support the podcast, would you write a review? That is such a great way to say “thank you” if you enjoy the content we prepare and publish! Thank you for your support and listening.
Fearless Learners by SuccessCodes; Where all children can learn and grow fearless with a Learning Success Coach by their side. Their certified Learning Success coaches make learning easy with their proven holistic coaching methodology which is a unique and superior alternative to tutoring and teaching in all subjects. All of their coaches are certified teachers as well as certified Learning Success Coaches, who have left the school system to create the ‘right’ environment to provide customized and personalized learning experiences.
*Kohila is offering a FREE 45 minute clarity coaching call to Honey! I’m Homeschooling The Kids listeners. Just go tolearningsuccessacademy.com
Watch From Fear To Fearless, Kohila’s weekly show on Wednesday, 11am Pacific Time at fearlesslearners.live
MEL Science is a subscription service that offers a range of educational resources and hands-on experiments for homeschooling families.
From chemistry to physics, medicine to STEM, MEL Science subscription boxes are packed full of exciting experiments and activities that will inspire and educate. These boxes are a perfect way to give homeschooling kids a practice with the hands-on boxes and get them involved in science activities.
With MEL Science, you'll get all the materials needed for each experiment, including detailed instructions and educational materials that explain the scientific concepts behind each experiment.
If you're looking for a fun and exciting way to teach science, MEL Science is a great choice.
Don't forget to take advantage of the 60% discount for your first box, and start exploring the fascinating world of science with MEL Science today.
If you aren’t sure if online learning is a good fit for you, you can schedule a FREE consultation call to talk with the Mountain Point Academy team: www.mountainpointacademy.com/letschat
If you would like to learn about other alternative programs, both in person and online, listen to these episodes~Village Home Learning Community
This episode was brought to you by Fearless Learners by Success Codes
Fearless Learners by SuccessCodes; Where all children can learn and grow fearless with a Learning Success Coach by their side. Their certified Learning Success coaches make learning easy with their proven holistic coaching methodology which is a unique and superior alternative to tutoring and teaching in all subjects. All of their coaches are certified teachers as well as certified Learning Success Coaches, who have left the school system to create the ‘right’ environment to provide customized and personalized learning experiences.
*Kohila is offering a FREE 45 minute clarity coaching call to Honey! I’m Homeschooling The Kids listeners. Just go tolearningsuccessacademy.com
Watch From Fear To Fearless, Kohila’s weekly show on Wednesday, 11am Pacific Time at fearlesslearners.live
This episode was brought to you by Fearless Learners by Success Codes
Fearless Learners by SuccessCodes; Where all children can learn and grow fearless with a Learning Success Coach by their side. Their certified Learning Success coaches make learning easy with their proven holistic coaching methodology which is a unique and superior alternative to tutoring and teaching in all subjects. All of their coaches are certified teachers as well as certified Learning Success Coaches, who have left the school system to create the ‘right’ environment to provide customized and personalized learning experiences.
*Kohila is offering a FREE 45 minute clarity coaching call to Honey! I’m Homeschooling The Kids listeners. Just go to learningsuccessacademy.com
Watch From Fear To Fearless, Kohila’s weekly show on Wednesday, 11am Pacific Time at fearlesslearners.live
How To Be An Awesome Homeschooler~ March 24th 2023
The summit is open to all since we are hosting it as an audio only experience on the Clubhouse app. But if you register for your FREE TICKET through the website you also receive our Digital Swag Bag that gives you a ton of resource freebies for parents and kids (like my son’s Science Animal Journal, Kelly Edwards Creating Quiet Time packet, Free Conscious Parenting mini course, Discounts on our favourite books, Kids Entrepreneurship Course, Discounts to online resources and MORE.
If you cannot make the live event, we are also offering a FULL ACCESS package of the recordings, pdfs and post summit community gatherings which include a Movie Screening~ The amazing film MaidenTrip~ and Live Group Q&A and Coaching with Kelly Edwards of 90 Minute School Day and I.
We are hosting this full day summit LIVE and our special guests are bringing the Powerful P’s to the table through interactive keynotes and workshops~ PURPOSE. PERSIST. PLAY.
We have Leah Boden laying the foundation for PURPOSE.
Mr. Chazz is educating us all on the power of PLAY.
Kelly Edwards is guiding us through her workshop on Supporting Neurodiversity.
And you get ME, Robyn Roberston and a few special guests embracing the Self Directed Teen.
Go to the website HOW TO BE AN AWESOME HOMESCHOOLER to register for your FREE ticket and receive extra goodies. (Extra Goodies like our Digital Swag Bag that gives you resource freebies for parents and kids (like my son's Science Animal Journal, Kelly Edwards Creating Quiet Time packet, Free Conscious Parenting mini course, Discounts on our favourite books, Kids Entrepreneurship Course, Discounts to online resources and MORE)
If you cannot make the live event, we are also offering a package of the recordings, pdfs and post summit community gatherings which include a Movie Watch Party and Live Group Q&A and Coaching with Kelly Edwards of 90 Minute School Day and I.
This episode was brought to you by Fearless Learners by Success Codes
Fearless Learners by SuccessCodes; Where all children can learn and grow fearless with a Learning Success Coach by their side. Their certified Learning Success coaches make learning easy with their proven holistic coaching methodology which is a unique and superior alternative to tutoring and teaching in all subjects. All of their coaches are certified teachers as well as certified Learning Success Coaches, who have left the school system to create the ‘right’ environment to provide customized and personalized learning experiences.
*Kohila is offering a FREE 45 minute clarity coaching call to Honey! I’m Homeschooling The Kids listeners. Just go to learningsuccessacademy.com
Watch From Fear To Fearless, Kohila’s weekly show on Wednesday, 11am Pacific Time at fearlesslearners.live
If you are a parent that is curious about homeschooling, or are questioning what your homeschool choice will turn out to look like, then listen to this episode.
Resources and Connection
Amanda has chosen to continue to homeschool her own children. She also runs a business that support others homeschool moms through coaching and community. She understands that Homeschooling can be a beautiful, joy-filled experience—or it can be a stressful, overwhelming routine. That's why she created Heart Smart Moms.
Heart Smart Homeschool Moms is also a sponsor for HOW TO BE AN AWESOME HOMESCHOOLER Summit! We are grateful for the sponsors that help our summit to happen and remain accessible to the community.
If you haven't already heard, March 24th is our third How To Be An Awesome Homeschooler Summit!
We are hosting this full day summit LIVE and our special guests are bringing the Powerful P's to the table through interactive keynotes and workshops~ PURPOSE. PERSIST. PLAY.
We have Leah Boden laying the foundation for PURPOSE.
Mr. Chazz is educating us all on the power of PLAY.
Kelly Edwards is guiding us through her workshop on Supporting Neurodiversity.
And you get ME, Robyn Roberston and a few special guests embracing the Self Directed Teen.
Go to the website HOW TO BE AN AWESOME HOMESCHOOLER to register for your FREE ticket and receive extra goodies. If you cannot make the live event, we are also offering a package of the recordings, pdfs and post event community goodies.
Shout Out To Our Podcast Sponsors!
This episode was brought to you by Fearless Learners by Success Codes
Fearless Learners by SuccessCodes; Where all children can learn and grow fearless with a Learning Success Coach by their side. Their certified Learning Success coaches make learning easy with their proven holistic coaching methodology which is a unique and superior alternative to tutoring and teaching in all subjects. All of their coaches are certified teachers as well as certified Learning Success Coaches, who have left the school system to create the 'right' environment to provide customized and personalized learning experiences.
*Kohila is offering a FREE 45 minute clarity coaching call to Honey! I’m Homeschooling The Kids listeners. Just go to learningsuccessacademy.com
Watch From Fear To Fearless, Kohila’s weekly show on Wednesday, 11am Pacific Time at fearlesslearners.live
Kohila defines and explains learning in a way that makes it simple to access as a homeschooling parent. At the same time she offers useful applications and tools to help us be a greater support to our kids. She shows us a way to build fearless learners.
In this episode we explore:
How we can build fearless learners
What do we need to do to build the right learning environment?
Is there a difference between education and learning? And if there is, why is it important as parents and educators to understand what that difference is?
How can we connect with the best outside learning supports for our kids?
Mindset, Action Sets and Skillsets- the key elements that make learning easy.
Resources
Connect with Kohila and the support she offers at Fearless Learners and Learning Success Academy~ learningsuccessacademy.com
Watch From Fear To Fearless, Kohila's weekly show on Wednesday, 11am Pacific Time at fearlesslearners.live
Kohila offers a FREE Clarity coaching call with her Learning Success Coach to help parents gain clarity on what steps to take with their kids. Go to learningsuccessacademy.com
How To Be An Awesome Homeschooler~ Purpose. Persist. Play.
Our FREE Spring Summit for knowledge, community and inspiration in the homeschool and parenting community.
This year's summit is another impactful day of community, inspiration and learning.
Join Kelly Edwards of the 90 Minute School Day as we gather, learn and reflect on supporting our Neurodiverse children in her workshop on Neurodiversity in our Home Education.
Connect with the iconic Julie Bogart of Bravewriter on how and what we choose to PERSIST.
Get clarity and comfort from Leah Boden of Modern Miss Mason when we guide with PURPOSE.
Be inspired on the value of PLAY with parent educator Mr. Chazz.
Then spend time with me and some really awesome self directed teens in my workshop on Self Directed Teens.
Resources
How To Be An Awesome Homeschooler~ register on our website for the FREE summit and receive a wonderful digital Swagbag filled with goodies and resources for your home learning journey.
You can also purchase tickets of the summit recordings, keynote pdf's and extra VIP goodies. (Early bird sale on now)
Connect with my community on Clubhouse~ Honey! I'm Homeschooling Club to get in on the pre-summit action. (And meet over 2500 parents that are in the thick of homeschooling or learning more about it before they take the plunge)
This episode is for you if you have been loving your unschooling journey so far, but feel like you are the only one and need to hear from others that are living it. (It takes a village or a community, doesn't it?)
STORITOPIA is a podcast app created for kids. It’s a space where parents, kids and caregivers can discover the best kids’ podcasts.
STORITOPIA is an incredible tool to help educate and entertain your curious kids. Discover wonderfully whimsical stories, uncover shocking science facts and learn the history of everything from Hypatia to hot dogs!
Discovery starts as soon as you download the STORITOPIA app. Find it in the apple app store or at storitopia.com
And this app is FREE. Talk about an affordable, accessible way to build your home learning resource library.
Discover shows related to Honey! I'm Homeschooling The Kids, based on actual content similarities. Explore podcasts with similar topics, themes, and formats, backed by real data.
