Facebook-f Instagram Pinterest
Unschooling Interview: Q&A With Jeff Uhrmacher
Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on pinterest
Pinterest
Share on email
Email

Unschooling Interview: Q&A With Jeff Uhrmacher

Q.

What was the catalyst that lead you to choose unschooling for your family’s learning and educational needs?

A.
I looked at the traditional education and realized that our kids would be missing out on an entire world. You can learn a lot from books etc. in a classroom setting… but that same education in an “experience” is amplified multiple times over. I also looked at what I was taught in public school and what’s still be taught and realized how little I actually remember or even put to use (even with my doctorate degree). I see unschooling as an experiential education that can’t be matched.
Q.

Prior to your venture into unschooling, did you have any preconceived ideas, beliefs, or notions about what unschooling entailed (positive or negative)? If so, have any of those beliefs or ideas shifted?

A.
I think I had more positive beliefs about unschooling and those have been reinforced since we started. We’ve found other families that do it and that has opened our eyes to even more possibilities. There is so much in our world that is really unbelievable.
Q.

What have been some of your favorite strategies, tools, or resources that you’ve employed to make unschooling a successful fit for your family?

A.
Simply doing life with our kids and taking the time to learn things in each moment. I think it has lifted the lid on their potential. Sometimes we put this limit on what kids should be doing. But when we started letting them do things and seeing how capable they really are they start doing “adult” things and making “adult” type decisions at a young age. I often ask them to learn about something and then teach me about it.
Q.

How has your family’s experience with unschooling been so far? Have you encountered any obstacles or challenges? What milestones and successes have stood out to you?

A.
Our experience has been great. One obstacle has been to stay deliberate with learning even when things get busy. It’s easy to just do something for them when we’re in a hurry instead of giving them the extra 2 minutes they need to sort it out themselves. Staying patient and deliberate.
Q.

What questions do you receive most often about unschooling your family and how do you address those questions?

A.

Top 2 questions we get are:

What about socialization? We have a fantastic community of other unschool and homeschool families that we do life with. If you simply come and watch our kids you will see they are some of the most social people around. You’ll often see them having conversations with other adults. One of my biggest priorities is communication. We started that even before unschooling. When they were old enough to tell us what they wanted in a restaurant, we would have them order it themselves (probably age 3). This goes back to how capable our kids can be if we put them in situations and be patient enough to let them do it.

What about college? I hope they never go LOL. Most kids go to college because they’re told they HAVE TO so they can get a good job. We’ve seen that to be a lie. On top of that, I know of 100 different ways to make a good living without ever going to college. And I’m not opposed to college if they have a specific goal or profession that requires it. Both kids are phenomenal athletes and are talking about playing sports in college. So they will fulfill the requirements needed for enrollment and enroll like any other person. I know that is scary for some people because they’ve never taken the time to look into the details.

Q.

What have been some of the most rewarding moments of your unschooling journey?

A.
Seeing the kids get accolades from others about the type of child they are. As parents I think we are critical of ourselves and often feel like we are failing or not doing enough. We don’t have a test that we can grade ourselves on unschooling. So when others make comments and talk with our kids it gives us a little validation that we are doing okay.
Q.

What advice would you give to someone considering unschooling or just beginning their unschooling adventure?

A.
Just jump. I know a lot of people that say “I will do it when…” There is no perfect time, just start. It’s scary and you’ll think you’re screwing up, and sometimes you are. But that’s the beauty of unschooling is that you get to learn WITH your children and not just teach them. Your “mistakes” can be some of the most valuable lessons for you and your family. Take the leap and learn as you go.
Q.

What key skills and traits do you feel unschooling has instilled in your child/children/family?

A.
Patience, listening and observation. For us there is something can be learned around every corner. Being prepared and looking for that education takes some effort. Unschooling can be very simple, but not always easy.
Q.

What has been one of the most powerful insights you’ve gained from unschooling?

A.
The potential that is inside each of us and our kids. When we can make learning a little more fun and exciting it opens the brain to take it in and retain it. When the brain is firing like that you better watch out because that potential is unlimited.
Q.

What do you feel is one of the biggest myths about unschooling?

A.
That unschooling is “notschooling”. We started unschooling because we thought our kids deserved more than what they could get from a teacher in a classroom with 20+ other kids. So it’s definitely not just letting our kids play and do what they want all day. It takes work on our part to be deliberate with pushing them down trails of learning. Finding out what interests them and pushing them to excel is a challenge to the parents. It would be much easier to put them in school and let someone else worry about their education. But we think we are their best teachers and so we’ve taken on that role.

You can read more about Jeff and his family here:

Website (Today’s Episode)
YouTube Channel
Instagram
Facebook

Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on pinterest
Pinterest
Share on email
Email

iUNSchool.com

Launched by a community of families to provide unschooling resources to those seeking alternate educational options and and applicable real-world experiences for their children.  We focus on being a safe place where you can read and share unschooling stories, connect to like-minded families, and gather resources related to helping children thrive in the unschooling philosophy.