19 January 2018

Christian Unschooling and Other Things

I made a new podcast episode! Yes, after an absence of a few weeks, I’m back. So where did I go? Nowhere in particular. I was just at home enjoying lots of slow summer days. Maybe I was feeling lazy. But yesterday, that changed. I suddenly felt like getting back to work. And so I thought I’d record a catch-up podcast episode.

In this week’s episode, Christain Unschooling and Other Things, I’m talking about what’s been going on around here recently. I’m also sharing my thoughts and ideas and plans for 2018. I tell a few stories too.

Here’s the episode topic summary:

  • Christmas in summer
  • Evernote planners
  • My blogging/podcasting plans for 2018
  • Christian unschooling
  • My faith story
  • Being open-minded
  • Doing the impossible
  • Letting go of control
  • How life can change in a moment
  • Snakes
  • Family news

Show Notes

Blog posts

Bringing God into the Unschooling Picture

Letting Go of Control

An Impossible Adventure

Imogen

Youtube channel, Imogen Elvis.

Facebook: Imogen Elvis

Instagram: Imogen Elvis

My Youtube channel

Sue Elvis

Podcast music

Twombly by Podington Bear(CC BY-NC 3.0)


I hope you’ll listen to this week’s episode. Please feel welcome to comment on anything in my podcast. Also, if you’d just like to stop by and say hello, please do. I’d love to hear from you!

READ  A Little Way of Homeschooling Cartoon Style

Sue Elvis

I'm an Australian blogger, podcaster, and Youtuber. I write and speak about unschooling, parenting and family life. I'm also the author of the unschooling books 'Curious Unschoolers', 'Radical Unschool Love' and ‘The Unschool Challenge’. You'll find them on Amazon!

13 Comments

  1. Hi Sue, I will look forward to listening when I have some knitting time tomorrow:-). I am sorry I haven’t been around much. Just wanted to drop by and say hello and that I am thinking of you ❤️❤️

    • San,

      Hello! I’ve been thinking about you too. We were so pleased to receive your Christmas gift. Thank you! Watch out for a card in the post. I wrote you a short letter! I hope you enjoy the podcast. Sending love to you and your family. xxx

    • Stacey,

      I’m so glad you mentioned my pin button. Yes, it was hard to find. I had a look at my share settings (something I didn’t think to do before) and changed them! Thank you for wanting to pin my post. I hope you enjoy listening to my podcast. Have a good weekend!

  2. Great podcast Sue! It’s always so nice to hear your voice and your inspiring words about unschooling and faith. Your blogs and podcasts are very inclusive without being watered down.

    I wanted to let you know that my Evernote/vision board presentation went pretty well. At one point in the presentation I took a picture of my audience and showed how I could immediately sync it to Evernote on my computer. It’s really handy for journaling with pictures because I can skip the step of downloading the pictures to my computer and the pictures really inspire me to write. I posted a few links to your Evernote blog posts on our church Facebook page. I know you’ve really inspired me to use Evernote. ?

    Your experience with snakes reminded me of a day when I was a young adult and out hiking with friends. I stepped over a sleeping baby rattle snake and didn’t even notice. It’s scary to think what could have happened. Is it common for Australians to keep snake bite kits on hand?

    • Venisa,

      I’m so glad your Evernote presentation went well. I’m glad you are enjoying using Evernote. Thank you for sharing my links!

      Rattle snakes sound scary. I’ve stepped over a few snakes while out walking too. Most of our snakes won’t attack unless provoked which is reassuring because lots of them are venomous. I wonder if this is the case with the rattle snake. I’m glad you were safe! I’ve never heard of anyone keeping a snake bite kit. We all know that we should apply a pressure immobilisation bandage if someone is bitten and then call an ambulance. Would you put anything other than a bandage into a snake bite kit?

      Thank you for listening to my podcast!

      • Sue, I have done a little research since we’ve been talking about this and apparently much of what I “knew” about treating snake bites was incorrect and could actually be harmful. For instance, you should not use a special tool to try and pull the venom out! You can wash the area with soap and water. It’s apparently very handy to have a permanent marker and use it to circle the bite and note the time. Then, every 30 minutes you should draw a new circle to mark the swelling and write the time. Hopefully we will all get to the end of our very long lives without having to use this information!

        • Venisa,

          Marking the progress of the swelling? I haven’t heard about that method of treating snake bites. Could it be a method used with snakes in the USA? The recommended treatment here is to apply a firm bandage over the bite, immobilise the limb, and immediately seek medical attention. Oh yes, I do hope we’ll never have to treat anyone for snake bite!

  3. Hi, Sue! I’m just starting to catch up and I really enjoyed your podcast! It is very interesting to hear about how Christmas is with you. We do go Christmas Caroling, but would never think of asking for money. Actually, we give out candy canes! Christmas caroling is pretty rare here though, and people are always surprised (usually pleasantly) when we do it.

    I like that you are integrating your faith into you posts. I know I’m also Catholic, but your attitude is so gentle and accepting, that I can’t imagine anyone being offended. I think, also, that your relationship with God is why you unschool. I mean, if it’s not presumptuous, that it looks like you see God’s love and mercy to you, and how He allows us to make choices and learn from them, and this understanding is foundational to how you teach.

    Anyway, it’s good to get back to being healthy and getting to look in on you and your family again! Thanks so much for your prayers and kind comments!

    • Wendy,

      It’s good to see you out and about in the blogging world again! I’m so glad you’re feeling better.

      “I think, also, that your relationship with God is why you unschool. ” Oh yes, you understand! I see so many connections between unschooling and our faith. As I’m exploring and learning more about one, I seem to be also learning more about the other. Thank you for encouraging me to write and speak about both.

      I love how you and your family go Christmas carolling. Thank you for sharing this story. I also liked your 12 days of Christmas posts. It’s always lovely to chat with you. God bless!

  4. Hello Sue, I have been a faithful lurker for many months now and finally am getting some words down for you. Thank you so much for all the inspiration and encouragement you offer in your podcasts 🙂 There has been a pull on my heart that always tugs towards unschooling, but I have had many big deschooling issues to go through myself. This is the first year I have really let go of some big things, but the process is still ongoing of course! Your story of faith was very interesting to me! Thanks for the glimpse. I’d love to know more about your faith perspective on radical unschooling. So often in Christian circles it is a top down, authoritarian type of leadership in families. And as a parent I have often struggled with my role – because I see Jesus as a beautiful servant leader – and what might that look like in my home?

    • Jaimeis1,

      I’m so pleased you stopped by! Thank you for taking the time to write a comment.

      “…a pull on my heart…” Oh yes! I think there’s something about unschooling that draws us to it. I wonder if it’s the love which I think is it’s foundation. Of course, even though we’re pulled towards it, there are lots of old ideas we have to work through and let go of. Maybe it’s good to take time and let go slowly. Time to adjust and process thoughts.

      I remember a time when the only Christian homeschooling books that were available were traditional school-at-home ones that emphasised parental duty and strict discipline. Somehow they didn’t speak to me. I couldn’t see how God would want us to live a life of strict control and ‘tough love’ which leads to conflict within our families. There must be a better way. I think it will be very interesting to explore Christian radical unschooling. Maybe you’ll share your thoughts in future posts? That would be good!

      I see you have a new blog waiting for some posts. I wonder what you’re going to write about. Unschooling?

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