Special: Cecilie Conrad on raising Worldschoolers

09/19/23 • 57 min

This is a repost of an interview Lizz Quain from Trailblazing Families did with Cecilie Conrad.
The conversation moves beyond the typical travel tales; we plunge into the depths of unschooling and how it complements the nomadic lifestyle beautifully. Cecilie shares the roller-coaster ride of transitioning to unschooling, navigating the pandemic, and choosing to stay in mainland Europe. We'll also discuss the importance of emergency preparedness and the inherent challenges of this alternative form of education. Expect to hear rich anecdotes and get a sneak peek into our current life and future plans.
The final segments of our conversation venture into the future of world-schooled children. Cecilie and Lizz engage in a meaningful dialogue about unschooling and how it equips children to the demands of the 21st century. We delve into the realms of self-directed learning and the significance of children designing their own life paths. Hear about Cecilies own experiences with her daughter, who became a writer at 11, and my son, who's on his own unique journey. We close our conversation by engaging in the challenges of world schooling, from financial hiccups to socializing on the road and facing health issues. Get ready for an episode packed with real, relatable, and inspiring stories from a world-schooling family!
🗓️ Recorded August 30th, 2023. 📍Chateau Jasmine, Passais-Villages, France
▬ EPISODE LINKS ▬
Cecilie Conrad's blog in Danish: https://cecilieconrad.dk
Cecilie Conrad's blog in English: https://cecilieconrad.com
Cecilie Conrad on IG: https://www.instagram.com/ceciliefelumbconrad
Cecilie Conrad on FB: https://www.facebook.com/Ceciliefelumbconrad
Lizz Quain and Trailblazing Families on FB: https://www.facebook.com/TrailblazingFamilies
Lizz Quain on IG: https://www.instagram.com/trailblazing_families
Trailblazing Families on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@trailblazingfamilies

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Previous Episode

33: Randall Hardy | Challenging the State: A Conversation on Family-Based Education

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Join us for an eye-opening episode as we sit down with Randall Hardy, a fervent advocate for homeschooling and unschooling. Randall and his family have been at the forefront of the home education movement, challenging the status quo and advocating for parental rights in the UK.

In this episode, Randall delves into the current political climate affecting home educators, particularly in England and Wales. He shares his insights on the increasing pressures that families face and urges parents to be vigilant about their responsibilities toward their children's education.

We also discuss the cultural shift that seems to be sidelining the value of family in education, the changing laws in Britain eroding parental authority, and the potential impacts these changes could have on family dynamics.
We explore parents' struggles in maintaining family ties, especially when children leave home for university, and the potential benefits of not sending children to school during lockdown. This episode underscores the importance of having meaningful conversations and doing real things together as a family.
Our dialogue also ventures into the impact of generational family houses, the disconnect between parents and children, and the skills needed for a family to live harmoniously.
We critically evaluate the pitfalls of traditional schooling and the dangers of confining children to preset evaluation models. Lastly, we probe into the emotional manipulation of the modern education system and the need to imbue children with a sense of value within the family unit from an early age.
Join us for this thought-provoking conversation and gain new insights into the world of homeschooling, unschooling, and the essential role of family in education.

📚 Additional Resources:

Randall's blog: "No Nationalisation of our Kids"
HEFF2023 Talk by Randall
Randall is also a team member of The HE Byte – Commenting on the UK EHE political scene

🗓️ Recorded September 1st, 2023. 📍Romagny-Fontenay, France

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Next Episode

34: Erika Davis-Pitre | Homeschooling as an Answer to Race-Based Educational Inequalities

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We are again joined by Erika Davis-Pitre, one of our favorite people when it comes to unschooling. In our talk, we confront the pressing issues of ageism and racial disparities in education, focusing on the empowerment of students from diverse backgrounds through homeschooling and unschooling. Our journey begins with a personal anecdote—a poignant encounter with ageism involving a seven-year-old student and the reflection it prompted on systemic flaws in education.

We delve into the reasons why homeschooling and unschooling have become appealing options for many families with diverse backgrounds. Together, we uncover the impact of a curriculum primarily designed from one perspective and the stark disparities in expectations faced by students from diverse backgrounds compared to their peers.
Our conversation transcends the boundaries of the education system, venturing into the broader realm of discrimination and oppression faced by diverse communities in various countries. Erika shares powerful stories of unjust treatment encountered while homeschooling and traveling.
We also explore the insidious influence of ageism on students from diverse backgrounds, illustrating how it leads to dehumanization in everyday situations. Our episode underlines the significance of privilege not as a divisive force but as a tool for uplifting students who face injustice. Education and communication are emphasized as key tools in ensuring that our actions are not taken for granted.
In a historical context, we scrutinize the role of economic systems, specifically the consequences of industrialization and monetization on education. We contemplate how these structures have perpetuated structural inequalities and consider how homeschooling and unschooling can provide a solution.
🗓️ Recorded September 1st, 2023. 📍Romagny-Fontenay, France
▬ EPISODE LINKS ▬
Erikas Homeschool Gaming Convention: https://www.gameschoolcon.com/

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Self Directed - Special: Cecilie Conrad on raising Worldschoolers

Transcript

We hope you will enjoy this special episode where Cecilia is interviewed by Liz Quain from trailblazing families. Enjoy.
0:00:00 - Lizz Quain
I have a really awesome world-schooling mom today to chat with. She's been nomadding with her family, her husband and kids since 2018. I'm super excited to have Cecilia Conrad today. She's a cancer surviving psychologist, former single parent, co-sleeping, yogi, gluten-free, primarily plant-eating, happily married, stay at home, organic, barefoote