16 April 2016

It’s Not Just About Me

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Saturday morning

Sophie and I take a walk through the bush with Nora our dog. As we make our way down the main fire trail, my daughter says, “Aren’t walks a great time to chat? We always come home with new ideas.”

Sophie’s right. I don’t know if it’s the fresh area, the exercise or just having some one-on-one time with someone who’s passionate about the same things, but walks do generate ideas. They buzz around our heads as we explore them and decide if they’re worth pursuing.

“So what idea are you going to work on today, Mum?” Sophie asks me as we arrive back home.

“I’ve had another idea about my email newsletter,” I reply.  “I want to refine it a bit before I send it out. I want readers to be more involved. I don’t want it to be just about me.”

An email newsletter? Yes, I’ve put together my very first edition. I’ve done some advertising, mainly on Facebook, and so I have some subscribers waiting to read my offering. I’m excited. I hope my newsletter will be interesting and helpful. And yesterday I was entirely happy with it. But today? I think, with some small adjustments, I can make it better.

I don’t often comment on other unschooling blogs. I rarely share links on Twitter. And so I don’t often promote and encourage other unschooling bloggers. And it’s not because I don’t want to. It’s a matter of time. It takes me hours to record videos and podcasts and then edit them. Then there are my blog posts. I answer comments and emails and messages. I take and post photos. I chat on Facebook. So many things to do, (all of which I enjoy). I could spend all day every day on the computer. But if I did that, I wouldn’t spend time with my family and then I’d have nothing to write or talk about. More importantly, I’d miss out on family life, and that has to come first.

READ  Why We Need to Support Our Kids’ Choices

So what’s all this got to do with my newsletter? Could I use it, not only to share my own unschooling experiences but also to tell readers about other people’s blogs and posts, ideas and thoughts? I’d like to build connections between us, initiate discussion, share, encourage and support, make readers feel part of a community, and spread the word about unschooling in as many different ways as possible.

How will I do all of that via a newsletter? I’m not sure of every detail, but I have a few ideas. If you have any of your own, I’d love to hear them.

So what do you think? Would you like to be involved?

Saturday afternoon

Sophie asks, “What are you going to do now, Mum?”

“I’m going to tweak my newsletter, incorporate all those ideas we discussed while we were walking the dog.”

I’m planning to send out the very first edition of this improved newsletter in a day or two. Would you like to receive a copy? Will you subscribe? Will you become part of the team?

You see, it’s not just about me. I’m hoping it’ll be about you as well!

Subscribe to my unschooling newsletter!

[email-subscribers namefield=”YES” desc=”” group=”Public”]

Image: Sophie took this photo of me as one of her Bethadilly photo challenges. One photo a day, inspired by a prompt, and posted on Instagram.

If you’re on Instagram, you can find Sophie as The Techno Maid.

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!

10 Comments

  1. You are full of good ideas!
    More walks, more walks!!
    I've been walking long walks regularly lately. Exploring my neighbourhood.
    Really lovely for exercise and ideas.
    Xo Jazzy Jack

    • Jazzy Jack,

      Long walks sound very enjoyable and good for producing ideas too! I wonder what ideas you are pondering.

      I hope my newsletter turns out to be a good idea. Everyone is very encouraging. I have some great friends!

      Jazzy Jack, I was so pleased to see your comment. Thank you for taking the time to stop by.

    • Jazzy Jack,

      I'm so pleased the photography challenge info was useful. Thanks for your Instagram names. I shall look you up. I'd love to follow along with you and your son!

    • Thanks for the photography challenge idea. My son and I have signed up too. Naturalmedley and stickytapepro are our respective handles on instagram!

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