Unschooling Mom2Mom

March 14th—Pi Day—is this week, and if you’re new to homeschooling or unschooling, you may not realize that it’s a bit of a quintessential homeschool holiday! But why? And how can you celebrate it in a way that feels fun (and not too schooly)?

Let's dive into the history of Pi Day, why it became a thing, and—of course—ways to celebrate it with your kids. From baking pies (because Pi) to fun trivia, quirky math connections, and even Pi-themed scavenger hunts, there are so many ways to turn this day into a lighthearted learning opportunity. And if math makes you cringe? Don’t worry—I’ll also help you reframe some of that old math anxiety so you can enjoy the fun, too.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
🥧 Why Pi Day even exists & how it all started at a museum retreat!)
📏 The simple explanation of Pi
🎉 Fun and easy ways to celebrate—whether your kids are into math or just want pie!
📲 How social media has embraced Pi Day (and where to find the best Pi memes)
📺 Fun Pi-related videos, movies, and books to check out
🍕 How to make Pi Day your own—without making it feel like school

Whether you go all out with Pi-ku (Haiku, but for Pi) or just eat pizza for dinner, there are so many ways to join in the fun. And if your kids are rolling their eyes? That’s okay, too! Unschooling is all about making connections—and Pi Day is just one more way to do that.

Links & Resources Mentioned:
🔗 Links for this Podcast Transcript (music, movies, scientists, etc.!)
🔗Pi Day Reality Check - If Pi Day's a flop (with 100+ memes!)
🔗 Strewing Calendar
🔗 Learning Math WITHOUT Curriculum

Join the Conversation!
Tag me on social media if you and your kids do anything fun for Pi Day—I’d love to see! 🎉 Instagram Facebook. Pinterest <- specific Pi Day Board

👉 Subscribe & Review
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe so you never miss an unschooling pep talk! I’d love for you to

_____________________________________________________
As always, reach out if you need help figuring out how unschooling can work for your family!
You don't have to do this alone!
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Creating Confidence Membership Group
Podcast listeners can join without the sign up fee - so use this link!
UNSCHOOLING 101 Course
Math WITHOUT Curriculum Course
Seasonal Unschooling Guides
Private 1:1 Coaching with Sue

#58: Friday Unschooling Q & A!

Unschooling Mom2Mom

04/15/22 • 23 min

Each Friday, I'm bringing a few of YOUR questions to the Unschooling Mom2Mom Podcast!
This week, here are the topic questions:

Do we nudge our 13.5 who doesn't seem very motivated or goal-oriented?
What about a 3.5 year old who is struggling with food choices?
What are your thoughts about starting an Unschooling School - why didn't you?

This is also over at YouTube, if you'd like to see it there.
https://youtu.be/gTpbA7Nd11k
Some of Unschooling Resources Mentioned:
Creating Confidence Membership
When you need more unschooling support from me and a private community of unschooling parents!
Unschooling Guide: Strewing
Unschooling Guide: Learning to Write
Jumping Into Unschooling Course
When you're ready to be successful at unschooling!
Radical Unschooling - ParentingFUTURE QUESTIONS:
Q4Sue Formhttps://airtable.com/shrB2QujGuODq4DEa

Creating Confidence Membership Group
Podcast listeners can join without the sign up fee - so use this link!
UNSCHOOLING 101 Course
Math WITHOUT Curriculum Course
Seasonal Unschooling Guides
Private 1:1 Coaching with Sue

#46: Adding Sparkle

Unschooling Mom2Mom

12/13/21 • 4 min

Are your days feeling a little ho-hum? Or worse?
Is that rubbing off on the kids too?
This simple technique will help change the trajectory of your day!
And if you keep it up, it could be your new habit!
Join me on this quick PepTalk Podcast as think about what it means to add a little sparkle to your days!
Read along here
UNSCHOOLING RESOURCES
Jumping Into Unschooling Course
On sale through the end of this month ($50 off!)
Use discount code: Subs50
Need more support? Maybe more community too?
Join Sue's Membership group. Only $49/month with coaching calls, and an enormous library of members-only resources!

Creating Confidence Membership Group
Podcast listeners can join without the sign up fee - so use this link!
UNSCHOOLING 101 Course
Math WITHOUT Curriculum Course
Seasonal Unschooling Guides
Private 1:1 Coaching with Sue

#37: Unschooling Disabled Kids

Unschooling Mom2Mom

09/20/21 • 8 min

Lots of people ask if children with special needs can do ok with unschooling?
Parents have a lot of fears about handling the situation on their own, after years of relying on experts and fighting for your child to get the care they need.
It’s HARD to walk away and say, “Nevermind. This still isn’t good enough. I”m going to do it on my own.” I get it - the backlash from that is daunting. And you’re tired.

But school settings are not the best place for kids - and that may even be MORE SO for kids with special needs. We'll unpack this in today's episode and I have some resources for you!
___UNSCHOOLING RESOURCES____
(mentioned in the podcast)
Parent + Caregiver Summit (FREE)
Sept 20-22, 2021
I'm a speaker there (my talk is Don't Duplicate School) but others are speaking about a variety of aspects unrelated to education. I have a link for you to use since they're trying to help unschooling families know about it too:
https://parentcaregiversummit.com/?ref=surviving-waiting-room&affiliate=suepatterson
Unschooling Mom2Mom Special Needs Webpage
More resources, and the transcript for this podcast
Unschooling Every Family: Embracing Neurodivergent and Disabled Learners
Facebook group for parents

Creating Confidence Membership Group
Podcast listeners can join without the sign up fee - so use this link!
UNSCHOOLING 101 Course
Math WITHOUT Curriculum Course
Seasonal Unschooling Guides
Private 1:1 Coaching with Sue

#36: Unschooling and Playtime

Unschooling Mom2Mom

09/14/21 • 6 min

Are your kids wanting to play all the time?
And you're worried about when they're ever going to be interested in learning?
So much learning happens when humans are having fun! Play isn't something to do AFTER the learning is complete - it's where the learning really happens!
I know, this seems foreign to most of us. Listen to the podcast because I want to show you how unschooling and playtime is connected.
___ UNSCHOOLING RESOURCES (mentioned in podcast) ____
Creating Confidence
Join other parents who are reframing how they look at learning - and get coaching from Sue throughout the week!
Unschooling Guide: Deschooling
Are you having trouble letting go of the schoolish ways - the familiar ways - you grew up with? This Guide will help you see how learning weaves throughout life. The School Way is not the One Right Way! So many other ways to learn exist!
Unschooling Guide: Brainstorming
Once you decide against buying a curriculum, what do you do instead? Brainstorm with the kids! What fun things are available and interesting to all of you? Move in this direction!

Creating Confidence Membership Group
Podcast listeners can join without the sign up fee - so use this link!
UNSCHOOLING 101 Course
Math WITHOUT Curriculum Course
Seasonal Unschooling Guides
Private 1:1 Coaching with Sue

#35: September and Shaky Starts

Unschooling Mom2Mom

09/06/21 • 8 min

A lot of people started their journey into home education last month. And from what I'm hearing, many are finding themselves on a rocky road!
Let's talk about what could be going on, and why it might not be progressing the way you wanted it too.
Remember, you don't have to do this alone. You can always reach out for support or to learn more about how unschooling could work in your family.
___UNSCHOOLING RESOURCES___
Creating Confidence Membership GroupMultiple zoom calls each week, supportive private community of unschooling parents, tons of resources only available to members.
Jumping Into Unschooling CourseThe perfect way to create a strong unschooling foundation. Videos, PDFs, and inspiration!
Unschooling Guides - mini-magazines to tackle specific fears you may have.

Creating Confidence Membership Group
Podcast listeners can join without the sign up fee - so use this link!
UNSCHOOLING 101 Course
Math WITHOUT Curriculum Course
Seasonal Unschooling Guides
Private 1:1 Coaching with Sue

#29: Focusing on Strengths

Unschooling Mom2Mom

07/20/21 • 5 min

When you’re not using a lesson plan or a curriculum, focusing on strengths gives you a little bit of a guide... something to keep at the front of your mind as you’re moving along on your unschooling journey.
Let's break down why this is so important. And even though the school way of focusing on gaps and weaknesses is so familiar, I want you to hear why it's not the best approach!
RESOURCES
Jumping Into Unschooling Course (this month with a $50 Discount!)
This fabulous course includes and entire module to help you with HOW to focus on the strengths with your kids. So much great info in this course - why reinvent the wheel?
Creating Confidence Membership Group
Sometimes having others nearby to lean on improves the journey so much! That's what this membership group will do for you. Coaching calls weekly. A Vault full of information for members-only. You don't want to miss this!

Creating Confidence Membership Group
Podcast listeners can join without the sign up fee - so use this link!
UNSCHOOLING 101 Course
Math WITHOUT Curriculum Course
Seasonal Unschooling Guides
Private 1:1 Coaching with Sue

#27: Finding and Building Community

Unschooling Mom2Mom

07/06/21 • 9 min

Many of us do better when we have a trusted community to hang out with!
Here are some tips to finding community or building it yourself. This podcast will give you some tips and some suggestions for both. Remember, one size does not fit all - so you may need to create something that works for you and your kids.
Join us in the Membership group, if you'd like to surround yourself with other unschooling parents who are traveling on this path. I LOVE this group! So supportive and kind. You'll love it too. You really don't have to do this alone!
Join Creating Confidence Membership__________________________________________________
Maybe you need to do a little thinking about the question "What About Socialization?"
I have a Guide for that! :)
Unschooling Guide: Socialization__________________________________________________
And if you love what you're hearing on this podcast, you can always make a donation. Any amount is GREATLY appreciated!
Podcast Donation
❤️

Creating Confidence Membership Group
Podcast listeners can join without the sign up fee - so use this link!
UNSCHOOLING 101 Course
Math WITHOUT Curriculum Course
Seasonal Unschooling Guides
Private 1:1 Coaching with Sue

#20: Unschooling Criticism - from Friends and Family!

Unschooling Mom2Mom

05/24/21 • 4 min

This recording was done prior to the winter holidays, when families are often trying to get together (even though 2020 was certainly an odd one for that!)
But I'm having so many questions lately about how to deal with criticism from family and friends, when we're exploring or deciding to unschool.
This quick podcast will help you!
Read more about dealing with critical family members:
Unschooling Mom2Mom website
Need more support?
Unschooling Guide: Critics and Naysayers
This mini-magazine is full of helpful suggestions for responses but also to help your with your own nagging doubts that might be having an influence on how the conversations are going. Read more about it.Creating Confidence MembershipAnd sometimes you need more support from others who are choosing this path too. Join my coaching group and receive coaching calls and a members-only portal full of information that will help you! We even have an entire section of resources specifically devoted to dealing with critics! Join us!Reach out if you're looking for more resources:
SuePatterson.comUnschoolingMom2Mom.com

Creating Confidence Membership Group
Podcast listeners can join without the sign up fee - so use this link!
UNSCHOOLING 101 Course
Math WITHOUT Curriculum Course
Seasonal Unschooling Guides
Private 1:1 Coaching with Sue

#162 - Build Your Unschooling Confidence with this FREE Weekly Checklist!

Unschooling Mom2Mom

02/07/25 • 7 min

👉 Sign up now to get this month’s First Friday Freebie:
https://unschooling-mom2mom.kit.com/96512ee8fe

If you're uncertain about unschooling or wondering if you’re doing enough?
You’re not alone!
That’s why I’ve created The First Friday Freebie—a special monthly resource designed to help you gain confidence, build new habits, and make unschooling feel more natural.

📢 February’s Freebie:
The Weekly Unschooling Confidence Checklist! 🎉
https://unschooling-mom2mom.kit.com/96512ee8fe
This simple, DIY Unschooling Workout page helps you:
✅ Plan your week with confidence-building habits
✅ Focus on connecting with your kids
✅ Build deschooling knowledge, find support, and prioritize self-care
✅ Identify and overcome fears that might be holding you back

🔹 Grab your free Weekly Confidence Checklist here:

In this episode, I’ll share:
✨ Why planning weekly helps you feel more at ease with unschooling
✨ The four key focus areas that make the biggest impact on confidence
✨ How to tackle common fears and obstacles that often hold parents back
✨ A peek inside the membership community, where all my best unschooling resources are streamlined and easy to find—so you never feel lost in information overload.

You don’t have to figure this all out alone.
Let’s create some new habits to make unschooling lighter, more joyful, and full of possibilities—one step at a time.
READ THE TRANSCRIPT at the blog
https://www.unschoolingmom2mom.com/unschool-freebie-friday

#Unschooling #FirstFridayFreebie #HomeschoolHelp #Deschooling #UnschoolingConfidence

Creating Confidence Membership Group
Podcast listeners can join without the sign up fee - so use this link!
UNSCHOOLING 101 Course
Math WITHOUT Curriculum Course
Seasonal Unschooling Guides
Private 1:1 Coaching with Sue