The 9 Best Unschooling Blogs You Should Be Following in 2024
Are you thinking about unschooling as an educational path for your family? Or perhaps you’re already on this journey and looking for some extra inspiration and guidance. Unschooling is all about embracing child-led learning, fostering curiosity, and allowing education to happen naturally through life experiences.
While exact statistics can vary, it’s estimated that about 10-20% of homeschooling families unschool. This growing trend reflects a significant interest in child-led, experiential learning outside of traditional educational frameworks.
Many parents feel overwhelmed by the rigid structures of traditional schooling. They see their children’s natural love for learning diminish under the pressures of standardized testing and strict curriculums.
This frustration often leads to a search for alternative education methods. It can be challenging to find reliable information about unschooling. Parents may struggle to find support, communities, and resources that truly understand and embrace the philosophy of unschooling.
Luckily, there are several outstanding unschooling blogs written by experienced unschooling parents and educators who share their journeys, successes, challenges, inspiration, resources, and practical advice.
So, let’s get started exploring these amazing blogs and websites to find the encouragement and information you need to start unschooling and make it a successful and joyful experience for your family.
What is Unschooling?
Unschooling is one of the many homeschool styles families can choose from. Unschooling shifts the focus from traditional, structured learning to a more natural, child-led process. Instead of following a set curriculum, unschooling allows children to explore their interests and learn through everyday life experiences. This method encourages curiosity, creativity, and a love for learning by letting kids decide what, when, and how they want to learn.
Parents act as facilitators, providing resources and support rather than formal instruction. Unschooling can take many forms, from spontaneous nature walks and hands-on projects to exploring hobbies and passions. It’s about trusting that children are naturally curious and capable of directing their own education, leading to a more personalized and engaging learning experience.
The 9 BEST Unschooling Blogs
1. Living Joyfully
The Living Joyfully blog, created by Pam Laricchia, is packed with unschooling information. Pam shares her experiences and offers practical advice on living and learning joyfully with your children. She also hosts the Exploring Unschooling podcast and has written several books on the subject. The podcast is where I first learned about unschooling, and after listening to several episodes, I knew it was the best educational path for our family. I am also in their paid support community, where they have weekly Zoom calls to discuss different unschooling topics and provide support to parents.
2. Unschooling Mom2Mom
Sue Patterson’s blog offers practical advice, encouragement, and resources for unschooling families. She covers a wide range of topics, from getting started with unschooling to dealing with common challenges. Sue offers coaching and support to parents new to unschooling. There is also a podcast that I listened to at the beginning of our unschooling journey that was very informative and reassuring.
3. Stories of an Unschooling Family
Written by Sue Elvis, this blog shares personal stories and insights from her family’s unschooling journey. Sue’s writing is warm and relatable, making it easy for readers to connect with her experiences and learn from them. I listened to her podcast and got some really great ideas for planning and tracking our unschooling activities.
4. Joyfully Rejoicing
Joyce Fetteroll’s blog offers practical tips and thoughtful reflections on unschooling. Joyce addresses common concerns and questions about unschooling, providing clear and reassuring answers. Her blog is a great resource for both new and experienced unschoolers.
5. Unschoolers.org
This comprehensive resource is dedicated to supporting and empowering unschooling families. Unschoolers.org provides a wealth of information on the principles and practices of unschooling, along with practical advice and inspiring success stories. The site includes articles, forums, and a community of like-minded families who share their experiences and insights.
6. I’m Unschooled. Yes, I Can Write
This blog by Idzie Desmarais offers a unique perspective from an adult who was unschooled. Idzie shares her personal experiences growing up as an unschooler and provides thoughtful insights into the benefits and challenges of this educational approach. Her writing is engaging and provides a first-hand look at life beyond unschooling.
7. Happiness is Here
This blog focuses on unschooling, natural learning, and peaceful parenting. The author, Sara, shares her family’s unschooling journey, emphasizing the joy and freedom that comes with child-led learning. Her posts are filled with beautiful photos and inspiring stories that highlight the everyday moments of unschooling life.
8. John Holt GWS (Growing Without Schooling)
This blog is inspired by the pioneering work of John Holt, a key figure in the unschooling movement. It offers resources, articles, and insights into unschooling and self-directed learning. The site features contributions from various unschooling advocates and covers a wide range of topics, from practical tips to philosophical discussions on child-led education. Whether you’re new to unschooling or looking to deepen your understanding, this blog provides valuable information to support your journey.
9. Sandra Dodd’s Unschooling Blog
Sandra Dodd is a pioneer in the unschooling community. Her blog provides a wealth of resources, including articles, videos, and links to other unschooling websites. Sandra’s wisdom and experience make her blog a must-read for anyone interested in unschooling. There is also a podcast which goes over the basics of unschooling– it was very helpful to me at the beginning of our journey.
Final Thoughts: Unschooling Blogs
Navigating the world of unschooling can be both exciting and a bit daunting, but you’re not alone in this journey. These unschooling blogs are full of helpful advice, inspiring stories, and practical tips from families who’ve been there.
By following these blogs, you’ll find the support and encouragement you need to make unschooling a fun and rewarding experience for your family. Explore these resources, connect with unschooling communities, read encouraging homeschooling books, or explore this list of the best unschooling books to get you started and to keep yourself motivated.
Embrace the freedom and creativity of homeschooling and unschooling, then watch your kids thrive as they explore their passions and interests in their own unique way.
I wish you the best of luck on your homeschooling journey!
FAQ: Unschooling Blogs
What is unschooling?
Unschooling is an educational approach that emphasizes child-led learning through everyday life experiences rather than a set curriculum. It allows children to explore their interests and learn at their own pace, with parents acting as facilitators rather than traditional teachers.
How can these unschooling blogs help me?
These unschooling blogs offer a wealth of practical advice, inspiring stories, and valuable resources from experienced unschooling families. They provide insights, support, and ideas that can help you navigate and succeed in your unschooling journey. Regularly reading unschooling blogs will also provide motivation and inspiration when you are feeling overwhelmed or burnt out.
Are these unschooling blogs suitable for new unschoolers or experienced unschoolers?
Many of these blogs are perfect for those new to unschooling, offering beginner-friendly advice and tips on how to get started. They also provide support and encouragement to help you feel confident in your decision. Experienced unschoolers will find plenty of valuable content as well. These blogs cover a wide range of topics, from advanced unschooling techniques to dealing with common challenges, ensuring there’s something for everyone.
Can I connect with other unschooling families through these unschooling blogs?
Definitely! Many of these blogs have active communities where you can connect with other unschooling families. This can be through comment sections, forums, social media groups, or private communities linked to the blogs.
