We’ve been radically unschooling for almost six years now. No curriculum at all; but so much learning, on so many topics, that I can’t keep up with it all (especially with my son, almost 14. He’s prone to go to his room for most of the day, several days running, then come out with an impressive array of research or projects to talk about).

It’s nearly 2am here as I type this. My daughter, just 11, was reading the comments above this while we snuggled. She started reading at 8; school would have labeled her as something, no doubt, and told her she needed extra help.

She didn’t. She just needed time. Without a single lesson ever, she is now, 3 years later, able to read anything she likes. She especially loves field guides, Nancy Drew, National Geographic, American Girl, and Five Nights at Freddy’s and Inside Out fan fiction, which she often verbally critiques.

Both of my kids would likely have been labeled as something or several somethings in a school setting. Here, though, they’re themselves, integral parts of our family unit.

A few posters have said homeschooling is or will be hard. I haven’t found it to be. Challenging? Yes. Parenting is a challenge. Keeping up with two growing kids and their interests on one modest income is challenging. Four strong-willed people living in one small house is, too, and so are the times when we’re on different sleep/wake cycles, or want opposite things…because, in a home where parental desires aren’t law, negotiation can be just about constant.

But we value judgement above obedience. We want kids who have loads of practice in making real decisions. Like what to do with their time; or whether to go to school, or how to earn and spend money.

It’s much more immersive than sending them to school would be. Our lives are deeply intertwined; we’ve had to learn how to talk with and get along with one another in order to have peaceful coexistence. When they were younger, it took most of my time and energy, but, as they’ve gotten older, it’s less constant – more a matter of intersecting orbits. We move away, and together again, in different combinations throughout the day and the night. It’s like a dance of connection, then off to do our own things.

I have a great deal of time, these days, to pursue my own passions (writing, Vulcans, t’ai chi, Vulcans….). The rest of the family has time for theirs, too.

I ask the kids once in a while if they still want to homeschool, and remind them that they can give school a try if they ever want to. So far, I’ve always gotten a look like I suddenly turned into a Cyclops…

We’re thriving and happy here. I have a feeling your family is, too….because, in the end, each of us IS who we are, and embracing that and learning to live with it is a far better use of our energy than fighting or trying to medicate it away, at least in my opinion.

Your adventure is just beginning. Suit up, grab the weapons of your choice, and enjoy the journey!