Unschooling Mom2Mom

Sue Patterson
  • 4.9 (88)
  • Education for Kids
  • Updated Weekly

The Unschooling Mom2Mom podcast is a quick conversation with Sue Patterson, coach, author, and mother of 3 grown unschoolers. Sue shares inspiration and tips to help you find the unschooling confidence you're looking for! Even if you’re more of a “homeschooler” than an “unschooler,” these 10 minute(ish) podcasts can help you find more joy in parenting, educating and connecting with your children!

  1. May 18

    213 -What Really Prepares Kids for Adulthood?

    Text Sue what you think! Are we preparing kids for adulthood… or preparing them for school expectations? Parents worry about grades, gaps, transcripts, screen time, and whether their kids will be successful adults. But real adult life often depends on something else entirely: adaptability, communication, confidence, initiative, emotional regulation, and problem solving. In this episode, Sue Patterson explores how real-life experiences, play, curiosity, gaming, technology, and pursuing interests can help kids develop the skills they actually need for adulthood. Also:  why school expectations still shape our fears  how unschooling builds real-world problem-solving skills  the difference between memorizing information and learning how to navigate life  reducing power struggles around technology  helping parents feel more confident taking an unconventional path If you’ve ever wondered whether unschooling truly prepares kids for adult life, this episode will help you rethink what “life prep” really means.  → Creating Confidence Community and Daily Confidence App: https://www.unschoolingmom2mom.com/creating-confidence-sign-up → Read transcript at the blog https://www.unschoolingmom2mom.com/the-life-prep-unschooling-homeschooling-kids-really-need   Support the show _____________________________________________________ As always, reach out if you need more help.  You don't have to do this alone! Creating Confidence DAILY - the Unschooling App you need! Start Free Trial Today! Creating Confidence Membership Group  UNSCHOOLING 101 CourseMath WITHOUT Curriculum CourseUnschooling Transcript CourseSeasonal Unschooling Guides Private 1:1 Coaching with Sue Stay Connected: Free Email List with weekly unschooling resourceswww.UnschoolingMom2Mom.com

    7 min

  2. May 7

    212 - The Mother's Day Fairy - For Unschooling Moms!

    Text Sue what you think! Mother's Day can be a lot of things — wonderful, disappointing, emotional, or somewhere in between. For unschooling and homeschooling moms, there's an added twist: your kids aren't sitting in a classroom getting reminded to make something for you. No teacher. No craft. No school newsletter nudging dad to pick up flowers. So this year? You become the Mother's Day Fairy. 🧚‍♀️ In this episode, Sue Patterson — mom to three now-grown unschooled kids and founder of Unschooling Mom2Mom — shares why unschooling really is a Mother's Movement, and how you can reclaim Mother's Day so it actually fits YOU and your family. You'll hear: Why waiting and seeing is a recipe for disappointmentThe Mother's Day Fairy concept and how to make it a family traditionA practical night-before checklist so the day doesn't just arrive like a regular SundayWhy appreciation is an inside job — and what to do about itHow to set your kids up for success without doing it all for themWhether your Mother's Day has been wonderful, meh, or a total flop in the past — this episode will help you create something that actually feels good. No comparisons. No "what will people think." Just a day that fits the actual humans in your family. Because that's what unschoolers do. 🌸 Resources mentioned in this episode: The Mother's Day Collection Page — bookmarkable, comes back every year: UnschoolingMom2Mom.com/mothersdayMother's Day Fairy Checklist @blog: LinkMother's Day Songs Playlist on YouTube: LinkMother's Day Playlist on Spotify: LinkPrintables for Kids or Moms: LinksBazillion Memes to share with other moms: LinkJoin the Unschooling Mom2Mom App Community Try it for FREE for 7 days Support the show _____________________________________________________ As always, reach out if you need more help.  You don't have to do this alone! Creating Confidence DAILY - the Unschooling App you need! Start Free Trial Today! Creating Confidence Membership Group  UNSCHOOLING 101 CourseMath WITHOUT Curriculum CourseUnschooling Transcript CourseSeasonal Unschooling Guides Private 1:1 Coaching with Sue Stay Connected: Free Email List with weekly unschooling resourceswww.UnschoolingMom2Mom.com

    10 min

  3. May 5

    211 - What Does an Unschooling Day Look Like? Real-Life Examples by Age

    Text Sue what you think! What does an unschooling day actually look like? If you’ve been searching for a routine, a schedule, or some kind of structure you can follow… and keep coming up empty, this episode will give you something more useful. Instead of a rigid plan, we’re walking through real-life examples of unschooling days—what it looks like for younger kids, older kids, and teens—and why it can feel so unstructured (even when learning is happening all day long). Inside this episode: What unschooling looks like in real life (by age)Why “structure” feels missing at firstHow learning shows up without curriculumWhat’s actually happening during gaming, YouTube, and downtimeHow to recognize patterns, rhythms, and progressThis is the shift most parents need: From trying to create structure… to learning how to see it. If your days feel open-ended, uncertain, or like you’re “not doing enough,” this will help you reframe what’s really going on. 🎧 Want daily support like this?  The Creating Confidence Daily app gives you short, practical voice notes each day to help you stop second-guessing and feel more grounded in your unschooling.  Try it free for 7 days. 📝 Prefer to read or revisit this later?  You can find the full transcript on the blog. Looking for those Seasonal Unschooling Guides Sue mentioned? See all 4 Guides here. Support the show _____________________________________________________ As always, reach out if you need more help.  You don't have to do this alone! Creating Confidence DAILY - the Unschooling App you need! Start Free Trial Today! Creating Confidence Membership Group  UNSCHOOLING 101 CourseMath WITHOUT Curriculum CourseUnschooling Transcript CourseSeasonal Unschooling Guides Private 1:1 Coaching with Sue Stay Connected: Free Email List with weekly unschooling resourceswww.UnschoolingMom2Mom.com

    14 min

  4. Apr 28

    210 - Is Unschooling Enough? What it looks like day to day

    Text Sue what you think! What does unschooling look like day to day—and how do you know it’s enough?This is where most parents start to second-guess everything. If you’ve ever lwondered, “Is this enough?”—you’re not alone. We’re unpacking one of the most common fears in unschooling: What learning actually looks like when it doesn’t look like school. With no worksheets, no visible lessons, and no clear benchmarks… it can feel like nothing is happening. But that’s not what’s going on. We’ll talk about:  Why unschooling feels “too unstructured”  Where that pressure to do more comes from  What learning actually looks like in everyday real life  Why confidence comes and goes—and how to handle that If you’ve been second-guessing your choices or worried your child is falling behind, let's reframe what you’re seeing—and what really counts. 🎧 Listen in, then take a closer look: Full transcript and resources https://www.unschoolingmom2mom.com/is-unschooling-enough-what-it-really-looks-like-day-to-day Want daily support instead of figuring this out on your own? Inside the Creating Confidence Daily app, I walk alongside you for a couple minutes each morning—helping you reset your thinking and build real confidence over time.  Try it free for 7 days. https://www.unschoolingmom2mom.com/creating-confidence-daily Podcasts Mentioned:  Unschooling Doubts: Why Unschooling Parents Feel They Aren't Doing Enough The Real Reason Unschooling Confidence Disappears  "I Want to Do More to Teach” Support the show _____________________________________________________ As always, reach out if you need more help.  You don't have to do this alone! Creating Confidence DAILY - the Unschooling App you need! Start Free Trial Today! Creating Confidence Membership Group  UNSCHOOLING 101 CourseMath WITHOUT Curriculum CourseUnschooling Transcript CourseSeasonal Unschooling Guides Private 1:1 Coaching with Sue Stay Connected: Free Email List with weekly unschooling resourceswww.UnschoolingMom2Mom.com

    8 min

  5. Apr 17

    209 - How Unschooling Kids Learn Math Without Curriculum (A Real Day, Hour by Hour)

    Text Sue what you think! How do unschoolers learn math without a curriculum? Can kids really learn math without school—and how do you know it’s enough? Here's a real “day in the life” of an unschooling teen. See exactly where math shows up—hour by hour—without worksheets, textbooks, or formal lessons. If you’ve been wondering:  how do kids learn math without curriculum  is real life math enough  am I doing enough math in our homeschool  what about unschooling math gaps …you'll get a clear, practical look at how math naturally develops through everyday life. Real life Math examples like: Mental math, estimation, math in daily routines Math in video games  Cooking, shopping, and budgeting  Sports, timing, decision-making  Problem-solving,  estimation But here’s the struggle you'll recognize— Noticing is Step 1 - Seeing it in YOUR kids's lives is the Next Level. We talk about why so many parents feel confident after seeing examples like this… and then fall back into doubt—and what actually helps build long-term confidence with unschooling math. If you’re transitioning from homeschool curriculum, questioning traditional math approaches, or trying to trust unschooling, this episode will help you start recognizing what’s already happening—and understand what comes next. 🎯 Want help seeing and trusting real-life math in your home? UNSCHOOLING RESOURCES for Episode 209 Learning Math WITHOUT Curriculum - Let's conquer your math concerns and talk about what real math adults are using daily.  Day-In-The-Life - How Unschoolers Learn Math (blogpost) See the Hour-by-Hour Math in this unschooled teen's lifeCreating Confidence Membership Group - Ready to level up and figure this out with other unschoolers? This is for you!Creating Confidence Daily - Voicenotes and inspirating messages every day. This daily habit really will grow your confidence! (7-day Free trial!) Support the show _____________________________________________________ As always, reach out if you need more help.  You don't have to do this alone! Creating Confidence DAILY - the Unschooling App you need! Start Free Trial Today! Creating Confidence Membership Group  UNSCHOOLING 101 CourseMath WITHOUT Curriculum CourseUnschooling Transcript CourseSeasonal Unschooling Guides Private 1:1 Coaching with Sue Stay Connected: Free Email List with weekly unschooling resourceswww.UnschoolingMom2Mom.com

    9 min

  6. Mar 17

    208 - The Truth about Unschooling "Schedules"

    Text Sue what you think! “If we don’t use a curriculum... how do we plan anything?” It’s the number one question new unschoolers ask. If stepping away from traditional lesson plans makes you feel like you’ve lost your roadmap, this episode is for you!  Welcome to Season 6 of the Unschooling Mom2Mom podcast! This week, host Sue Patterson explains why planning as an unschooling parent isn’t about deciding what your child must learn next. It’s about shaping an environment where curiosity has room to grow.  When you let go of the need to control the learning, you remove the friction in your home. We're shifting the focus from "planning school" to "planning for connection."  In this episode, you’ll learn 3 simple planning tools unschooling parents use: The "Look at the Week" Conversation: How to build a natural family rhythm based on real life, not an imaginary school schedule.The "Idea Parking Lot": A stress-free way to offer invitations to learn (strewing) without assigning tasks.The "Just Data" Review: A simple weekly habit to help you step back, notice the learning that is already happening, and stop the "Are we doing enough?" panic spiral.Learning doesn’t need nearly as much management as we were taught. Tune in for your 10-minute pep talk to help you build a life where learning naturally fits! Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Need more daily support or a community of like-minded parents to help you brainstorm? You don't have to do this alone! Join the Creating Confidence Membership:  https://www.unschoolingmom2mom.com/creating-confidence-membershipGet Daily Reassurance with the Creating Confidence App:  https://www.unschoolingmom2mom.com/creating-confidence-dailyStrewing Calendar Ideas DAILY!  https://www.unschoolingmom2mom.com/strewing-calendarsSupport the show _____________________________________________________ As always, reach out if you need more help.  You don't have to do this alone! Creating Confidence DAILY - the Unschooling App you need! Start Free Trial Today! Creating Confidence Membership Group  UNSCHOOLING 101 CourseMath WITHOUT Curriculum CourseUnschooling Transcript CourseSeasonal Unschooling Guides Private 1:1 Coaching with Sue Stay Connected: Free Email List with weekly unschooling resourceswww.UnschoolingMom2Mom.com

    13 min

  7. Mar 13

    BONUS: Pi Day Without the Hype — When “Fun Learning” Falls Flat

    Text Sue what you think! Pi Day is one of those holidays parents often try to make “fun.”  But sometimes the issue isn’t the activity — it’s the hype. Here's a quick unschooling perspective on Pi Day and why kids often respond better to curiosity than to pressure. Instead of trying to convince kids something is fun, unschooling families often offer ideas lightly — letting interest show up naturally. Sometimes kids lean in. Sometimes they don’t. And both are completely normal. Sue Patterson also shares a simple way to introduce Pi Day at home without turning it into a big event.  Just remember, real learning doesn’t need a sales pitch. Huge collection of Pi Day ideas here: https://www.unschoolingmom2mom.com/pi-day Blogpost: The Reality of Pi Day for Unschooling Families 🎧 Unschooling Mom2Mom Helping parents build confidence in unschooling and learning outside traditional school. Support the show _____________________________________________________ As always, reach out if you need more help.  You don't have to do this alone! Creating Confidence DAILY - the Unschooling App you need! Start Free Trial Today! Creating Confidence Membership Group  UNSCHOOLING 101 CourseMath WITHOUT Curriculum CourseUnschooling Transcript CourseSeasonal Unschooling Guides Private 1:1 Coaching with Sue Stay Connected: Free Email List with weekly unschooling resourceswww.UnschoolingMom2Mom.com

    6 min

  8. Mar 9

    206 Quirky Kids: Unschooling and Neurodivergence

    Text Sue what you think! What can unschooling families learn from the neurodivergent community? In this episode, Sue Patterson looks at how our understanding of “quirky” kids has changed over the years—and why many unschooling parents are learning from approaches developed within the neurodivergent community. Even families without a diagnosis can benefit from these ideas when kids struggle with expectations, pressure, or social dynamics. In this episode: Reassurance for parents of neurodivergent childrenHow the conversation around neurodivergence has evolvedWhy many families turn to unschooling when school isn’t working What parents can learn from neurodivergent-informed parenting approachesResources for neurodivergent familiesSue also shares details about the Unschooling Summit, where many speakers will be discussing neurodivergence in unschooling families. 🎟 Free tickets to the Unschooling Summit:  https://www.theunschoolingsummit.org/a/2148243842/xzoAT2Ao 📱 Try the Creating Confidence Daily app (7-day free trial):  https://www.unschoolingmom2mom.com/creating-confidence-daily Read the Transcript: Quirky Kids? Unschooling and Neurodivergence  https://www.unschoolingmom2mom.com/quirky-kids-unschooling-neurodivergence Support the show _____________________________________________________ As always, reach out if you need more help.  You don't have to do this alone! Creating Confidence DAILY - the Unschooling App you need! Start Free Trial Today! Creating Confidence Membership Group  UNSCHOOLING 101 CourseMath WITHOUT Curriculum CourseUnschooling Transcript CourseSeasonal Unschooling Guides Private 1:1 Coaching with Sue Stay Connected: Free Email List with weekly unschooling resourceswww.UnschoolingMom2Mom.com

    9 min
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4.9
out of 5
88 Ratings

About

The Unschooling Mom2Mom podcast is a quick conversation with Sue Patterson, coach, author, and mother of 3 grown unschoolers. Sue shares inspiration and tips to help you find the unschooling confidence you're looking for! Even if you’re more of a “homeschooler” than an “unschooler,” these 10 minute(ish) podcasts can help you find more joy in parenting, educating and connecting with your children!

Information

  • Creator
    Sue Patterson
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    213
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Unschooling Mom2Mom
  • Show Website
    Unschooling Mom2Mom

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