In 2005 I created An Unschooling Life, a blog detailing our unschooling experience after adopting our three children. Over time, An Unschooling Life became a hub for unschooling support and advice. The blog has been featured in print and digital media and was home to the popular Unschooling Carnival. I’m in the process of updating and moving all the posts to this blog where they will be housed under the An Unschooling Life section. This post was originally published on May 11, 2011 and was written by my friend and blog contributor Kimberly Sharpe for An Unschooling Life
Have you every worried about unschooling your teen? As a parent of an unschooling teen, many questions and concerns can sometimes swirl around in one’s mind. Parents sometimes worry that their child will not be equipped to face the outside world and its challenges. But what many parents sometimes forget is that their unschooled teen has already been living in the real world and experiencing real life!
The confinement of an institution is not learning, it is schooling and does not cater to the needs of a teen, but to the requirements of a system. Unschooling with your teen can be fun, rewarding and stress-free!
What about socialization? It’s ironic that our society tends to equate a social life with the public school system. When in actuality a social life is one that is achieved by socializing in the real world.
Have we not figured out yet that our children gain such a better understanding of the real-life by living in it and not peering out at it from a school window? A parents’ involvement with their teen is very important for this experience to take place. Either by joining local homeschool groups, science clubs, the local YMCA or by volunteering in community services, your teen has many outlets to acquire a true social life.
Unschooling a teenager requires love, a huge amount of nurturing, and a lot of patience and trust. You, as the parent are there to listen and be a good role model. Through reliable resources, either through your local library or book store, Netflix or other DVD rental place, every topic your teen wants to learn about can be acquired either locally, online, and experienced at home.
Unschooling Your Teenager
Having a friendship and mature relationship with my teen and unschooled daughter Autumn has been one of the most important aspects of living an unschooling life. As a family, we have learned to live together with a level of respect for one another. We have an open mouth policy and by this, I mean that we can talk about everything and say anything that we feel necessary and know that we are not going to be judged. And yes, I mean anything!
Unschooling your teenager should not be something that stresses a parent or teen to the point of arguing. There are many support groups, homeschooling books, forums, and blogs, like this one, that is out there to answer any questions or concerns that you may have regarding your teenager and the unschooling choice. By allowing your teen some personal space, along with a level of trust, the learning experience with your teen can be one filled with good times and great memories. I believe that your teen will one day be thankful for your peaceful guidance, your constant support, and your unending love and trust.
I have found in my family’s home school journey that when unschooling a teen their interests take them into the core subjects, but at a much deeper level. We made the change from classical style to unschooling and we have found a much closer family that is always learning. Thank you for your article.
Honestly, I allow the girls to pursue what interest them. We have tried every curriculum out there! And that is the truth. We’ve spent way to much money to find out that the girls like writing in their journals, picking out their own workbooks from book stores, and also by picking out books from the library. With this economy we have become very frugal and creative with our methods of learning. The internet is awesome as I’m sure all of you are sure.
Thanks so much for all of the inspiring words. They mean so much.
Kimberly
Absolutely wonderful! I’ve been researching unschooling and found your article to be right on and I think you’ve made my mind up for me. Thank you! Kathy
How do you keep up with the curriculum, that has always intimidated me personally. I worry if I can provide enough.
Thnkx so much for this! I havent been this moved by a blog for a long time! You have got it, whatever that means in blogging. Well, You are definitely somebody that has something to say that people should hear. Keep up the wonderful work. Keep on inspiring the people!