Author Archives: Sarah Louise

Honouring Our Wild

I have been hibernating in grief for the past two years, I haven’t been myself. When Dad died in 2020, the ground beneath my feet gave way and I fell down a deep, dark hole. I don’t know if this happens with all grief, or whether it is a particular feature of losing a parent,Continue reading “Honouring Our Wild”

Freedom to Chill

Unschooling gives us the freedom to slow down and experience life at a pace that feels comfortable to each of us. The teen years in particular, are a time of exponential growth and change and so it is healthy for mind and body to take the time to be peaceful. Rest is a radical act.

Walking & talking

Walking, talking & listening has always been a big part of our (home ed) life, but it feels especially important to make space for it in these challenging times. Nature ‘holds the space’ so beautifully for non-judgement & simply allowing the conversation to flow.

I am another you.

At the epicentre of unschooling is a ‘do no harm’ philosophy; or as the Mayan say to great each other: ‘In Lak’ech’, which means ‘I am Another You.’ And so we face the morning sun and greet the start of a new day, or we turn to our fellow human and say ‘In Lak’ech’. AndContinue reading “I am another you.”

Freedom not license

There is a misconception that unschooling equates to a ‘passive parenting’ style. This could not be further from the truth since it actually demands a higher level of interaction and connection with children, but in a supportive rather than controlling role. Unschooling is not freedom to do whatever you want. Instead it asks you toContinue reading “Freedom not license”

It’s not just gaming…..

Part of an unschooling journey requires us to open our hearts and minds to the idea that all learning is equal – that there is no knowledge hierarchy. I used to think technology was the enemy of nature, of a wild & free childhood, but through relaxing into a trust and consent based relationship withContinue reading “It’s not just gaming…..”

Ban the booths

Imagine using isolation booths in schools post lockdown? Now we have all experienced months of isolation perhaps we will finally understand that isolating children in booths, sometimes for a shocking 5 consecutive days is not only (proven to be) ineffective but is also cruel. This might seem like an issue solely for the 500 UKContinue reading “Ban the booths”

No school today then?

This cartoon is inspired by the less confident home educating version of myself. I am a recovering people pleaser and I definitely dislike to offend people. My boundaries around this kind of interrogation in public were loose to say the least and being asked this question would make me inwardly cringe. It came up aContinue reading “No school today then?”

Nature is our teacher

‘Indigenous people have long extended their intellectual horizons by learning from the minds of other creatures. But the Western way of knowing, the Rationalist approach, demands superiority to, and separation from, nature and nature’s ways of knowing’ – Wild: An Elemental Journey, Jay Griffiths I will never regret the unstructured time outdoors my children haveContinue reading “Nature is our teacher”