#6 - Lived Experience - Our Journey to Unschooling with Jane Nicholson
03/17/25 • 29 min
In this first 'Lived Experience' episode, Jane Nicholson, mother of three neurodivergent boys, shares her family's challenges with mainstream schooling and their decision to home educate two of their sons due to ‘School Can’t’ induced stress and trauma.
Jane discusses the deschooling process, creating a flexible educational Unschooling environment, the challenges of finding your Home Education ‘tribe’ and the mental health benefits of Home Education.
If you have a School Can't Experience that you'd like to share on a future Lived Experience episode, you can email us at [email protected]
Useful resources:
- Dr Ross Greene’s Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS) framework - https://livesinthebalance.org/
- Dr Naomi Fisher’s book, ‘Changing Our Minds’ - https://naomifisher.co.uk/books/changing-our-minds/
- Accidental Homeschool - Jane’s blog about their experience with home education - https://www.accidentalhomeschool.com/
- School Can’t Australia Facebook Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/schoolphobiaschoolrefusalaustralia
- Make a donation to School Can’t Australia - https://www.schoolcantaustralia.com.au/get-involved
If you are a parent of carer in Australia and experiencing distress, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or contact the Parent Help Line. - https://kidshelpline.com.au/parents/issues/how-parentline-can-help-you
You can contact us to volunteer to share your School Can't story or some feedback via email on [email protected]
Disclaimer
The content of this podcast is based on personal lived experiences and is shared for informational and storytelling purposes only. It should not be treated as medical, psychological, or professional advice under any circumstances. If you have concerns about your health or well-being, please seek guidance from a doctor, therapist, or other qualified professional.
In this first 'Lived Experience' episode, Jane Nicholson, mother of three neurodivergent boys, shares her family's challenges with mainstream schooling and their decision to home educate two of their sons due to ‘School Can’t’ induced stress and trauma.
Jane discusses the deschooling process, creating a flexible educational Unschooling environment, the challenges of finding your Home Education ‘tribe’ and the mental health benefits of Home Education.
If you have a School Can't Experience that you'd like to share on a future Lived Experience episode, you can email us at [email protected]
Useful resources:
- Dr Ross Greene’s Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS) framework - https://livesinthebalance.org/
- Dr Naomi Fisher’s book, ‘Changing Our Minds’ - https://naomifisher.co.uk/books/changing-our-minds/
- Accidental Homeschool - Jane’s blog about their experience with home education - https://www.accidentalhomeschool.com/
- School Can’t Australia Facebook Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/schoolphobiaschoolrefusalaustralia
- Make a donation to School Can’t Australia - https://www.schoolcantaustralia.com.au/get-involved
If you are a parent of carer in Australia and experiencing distress, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or contact the Parent Help Line. - https://kidshelpline.com.au/parents/issues/how-parentline-can-help-you
You can contact us to volunteer to share your School Can't story or some feedback via email on [email protected]
Disclaimer
The content of this podcast is based on personal lived experiences and is shared for informational and storytelling purposes only. It should not be treated as medical, psychological, or professional advice under any circumstances. If you have concerns about your health or well-being, please seek guidance from a doctor, therapist, or other qualified professional.
Previous Episode
#5 - Home Education: Busting Myths and Misunderstandings with Pavlina McMaster
In this episode of the School Can't Experience Podcast, host Leisa Reichelt is joined by Pavlina McMaster, Coordinator at the Home Education Network to shed light on some common myths about Home Education, including:
- Myth #1:Home Education is a last resort
- Myth #2: I have to work so don’t have time to Home Educate
- Myth #3: I’m not smart/educated enough to teach my kids
- Myth #4: Home Education restricts our kids future opportunities
- Myth #5: Home Education kids miss out on social opportunities.
Useful resources:
- Home Education Network (Australia) - https://home-ed.vic.edu.au/
- Victoria Home Schoolers and Unschoolers Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/victorianhomeschoolersandunschoolers
- Home Education NSW - https://www.facebook.com/groups/homeeducationnsw
- Home Education QLD Inc. - https://www.facebook.com/groups/homeeducationqldinc
- Home Education Tasmania - https://www.facebook.com/groups/876634649129826
- Home Education WA (HEWA) - https://www.facebook.com/hewapage
- South Australian Home Educators - https://www.facebook.com/groups/southaustralianhomeeducators
- Home Educators Northern Terrritory Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1226268530873997
- Home Education Canberra Facebook Group (ACT) - https://www.facebook.com/groups/165766030185476
Also search for Home Education Facebook groups in your city or local area. There are many!
- School Can’t Australia Facebook Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/schoolphobiaschoolrefusalaustralia
- Make a donation to School Can’t Australia - https://www.schoolcantaustralia.com.au/get-involved
If you are a parent of carer in Australia and experiencing distress, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or contact the Parent Help Line. - https://kidshelpline.com.au/parents/issues/how-parentline-can-help-you
You can contact us to volunteer to share your School Can't story or some feedback via email on [email protected]
Disclaimer
The content of this podcast is based on personal lived experiences and is shared for informational and storytelling purposes only. It should not be treated as medical, psychological, or professional advice under any circumstances. If you have concerns about your health or well-being, please seek guidance from a doctor, therapist, or other qualified professional.
Next Episode
#7 - Lived Experience - Connecting with passion to overcome burnout with Emma Gilmour
In this episode, host Leisa Reichelt interviews Emma Gilmour, mum to two neurodivergent teens. Emma shares her experience supporting her younger daughter through her journey through discovering her neurodivergence, her School Can’t experience and autistic burnout, and how connecting with passion while reducing demands has helped her daughter to find her way back.
Content warning: includes discussion of self harm and suicidal thoughts, though not discussed in detail. Take care when listening and please reach out for support if you need it.
Emma’s recommended resources:
- Kristy Forbes - In Tune with PDA - https://www.kristyforbes.com.au/pda
- Eliza Fricker’s books - https://missingthemark.co.uk
- Dr Naomi Fisher (books, webinars, courses) - https://naomifisher.co.uk/
- Viv Dawes - Autistic Burnout resources - https://www.autisticadvocate.co.uk/autistic-burnout
- School Can’t Australia Facebook Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/schoolphobiaschoolrefusalaustralia
- Make a donation to School Can’t Australia - https://www.schoolcantaustralia.com.au/get-involved
If you are a parent of carer in Australia and experiencing distress, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or contact the Parent Help Line. - https://kidshelpline.com.au/parents/issues/how-parentline-can-help-you
You can contact us to volunteer to share your School Can't story or some feedback via email on [email protected]
Disclaimer
The content of this podcast is based on personal lived experiences and is shared for informational and storytelling purposes only. It should not be treated as medical, psychological, or professional advice under any circumstances. If you have concerns about your health or well-being, please seek guidance from a doctor, therapist, or other qualified professional.
The School Can't Experience - #6 - Lived Experience - Our Journey to Unschooling with Jane Nicholson
Transcript
Hello and welcome to the School Can't Experience Podcast. I'm Leisa Reichelt and this podcast is brought to you by the School Can't Australia Community. Caring for a young person who is struggling to attend school can be a stressful and isolating experience, but you are not alone. Thousands of parents across Australia and many more around the world face similar challenges and experiences every day. Today we're gonna hear one mother's experie
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