Summer Doesn't Have to End

Sue Patterson

The “Back to School” season usually indicates that it’s time for Fall. For the school kids, the calendar DOES shift to a School Calendar...no more leisurely afternoons, no snoozing later into the morning or last minute sleepovers. 


But for unschoolers, we don’t have to make any shift at all. Our calendars are still flexible. We can plan our days based on our own curiosities, explorations and experiences. We don’t have to squeeze our stuff into those hectic hours between 4 and 7 - prioritizing homework, baths, and laying out clothes for school the next day. 


Many of us remember it well. 

And what’s interesting, it’s also so artificial. 

Summer isn’t REALLY ending - heck, it’s still a blazing 106 as I'm writing this! 🔥


Tell the kids:

"Good News! Summer isn’t Over for Us!!!"


Pull out the Brainstorming Guide! 

    What’s happening this month in your local community?

Grab the Strewing Calendar!

See what's  happening this month!

If Unschooling is new to you, try these things:


👍 Say “Yes” more.. or what part of their request CAN you say “Yes” to?
(Instead of leading with the “No.”)



 🎲 Refresh the Game Closet/Shelf. Plan a Family Game Night this week! I have a blogpost of a bunch of games that other unschoolers said have been fun at their houses.
And some
Pinterest boards FULL of ideas.

Games: Unschooling Favorites



🍿 Maybe Movies are more your speed
...Pop some popcorn, lower the lights, grab the pillows and make it an event! Then talk about it afterwards - was it realistic? Did they see those actors in other things? What did it make them think about? Remember, it’s all about your connection with them. All these conversations are going to give you glimpses of what they need rom you.

Pinterest: Family Fun Nights
Pinterest: Unschooly Movies


📸 Take a lot of pictures. Even if they roll their eyes. This will help them remember fun things that happened or that they did. Photos of them on the tablet on the couch. Photos of everyone huddled around a board game. Photos at the pool. Whatever you’re doing together. And be sure to be IN them too. We have so many photos without Mom or Dad (whoever is the photographer). Trust me, you may not like how you look in photos, but 10 or 20 years from now, you’ll WISH you looked that good! Plus it’s modeling for the kids - we are who we are - and we are good enough. They need to see you EMBRACE that message too.


💡 Your Turn to Learn

While you’re playing with the kids, take a little time to read more about how unschooling works. Over at the website or through this podcast. Listen to one a day. Keep immersing yourself in unschooling ideas - it will help when you get pushback from everyone else about going to school.  The more you read and listen, the less impact that will have on you.

Unschooling Mom2Mom Podcasts



...Even though the rest of the world seems to embrace this artificial notion that NOW Fall is here.

...Even though Target and Kohl’s are already adorned with cozy autumn displays and the rest of the Northern Hemisphere seems to think that now that schools are open, Autumn has arrived.

We know better.
We can look out and see that Nature doesn’t really agree with this idea yet. 🌞😎


So as unschoolers, we can continue on with summer...until it’s not.
Actually not.
Not just because School doesn’t want kids to realize that summer isn’t over yet.🙄


Yes, I’ll still go to to my coffee shop drive-thru to get my Pumpkin Spice Latte -
even though I’ll be confronted with a gust of oven-heat through the window!
🔥 💨

I’m shifting my perspective...

Pumpkin spice will hereby be considered an End-of-Summer thing, instead of a Start-of-Autumn thing!
The rest of my life will still be deeply immersed in continuing with Summertime!

By Sue Patterson 25 Apr, 2024
If you're wondering how unschooling can work without pouring a bunch of money into curriculum - this is the podcast/blogpost for you! Whether you're brand new to homeschooling, or you've been unschooling a little while, Sue Patterson shares another unschooling pep talk with her Unschooling Mom2Mom podcast
By Sue Patterson 13 Apr, 2024
If you're looking into unschooling, it's not unusal to wonder, "How DO unschoolers learn school subjects?" or "How will they learn what they need to be successful adults if you don't go out a buy all the curriculum in all the typical subjects." The word, "successful," is going to mean different things to different people. Maybe it's about getting into college, or finding a good career. Maybe it's more about personal happiness - and the ability to fund that themselves. Last week, I hosted a free webinar for about a hundred people wondering this same thing. It's up at the Unschooling Mom2Mom YouTube channel now - please subscribe! We talked about the actual subjects that weave into a variety of everyday activities for kids. I have visuals and handouts - all the things to help you get more comfortable with this concept when you hop over to the description at the YouTube channel. (If you registered for the webinar, check you email inbox for the links.)
By Sue Patterson 02 Apr, 2024
Sue Patterson shares what's wrong with hanging onto a little curriculum - when you'd like to full benefit of unschooling!
By Sue Patterson 19 Mar, 2024
How do Unschooling Parents find each other? Sue Patterson shares 4 ways that work!
By Sue Patterson 09 Mar, 2024
Let's talk about "Screen Time." We need to shift our conversation with the kids about their love for technology and electronics.
How much is too much technology?
By Sue Patterson 04 Mar, 2024
How much IS too much - when it comes to gaming and surfing the web? Especially if you're going to unschool! Sue Patterson shares strategies for how to tackle the technology in your home!
By Sue Patterson 14 Feb, 2024
What's the big takeaway when an unschooling mom looks back? Lean into the Love. Originally written in 2012, and now updated for 2024, Sue Patterson share's what she wish she had known... way back when.
5 Signs it's time to Unschool
By Sue Patterson 08 Feb, 2024
5 Signs that it may be time for you to start unschooling! Whether you've been homeschooling and it's not working out as planned, or you're looking for alternatives to public schools, here are 5 Signs it may be time to start homeschooling from an unschooling perspective.
By Sue Patterson 23 Jan, 2024
Social media is in a flurry about the Pythagorean Theorem... why we learn it, how we learn it, what's the point? So I decided to ask my Robot Friend how DO we use the Pythagorean Theorem in real life. I think you'll be surprised!
By Sue Patterson 21 Jan, 2024
While no unschooling family would be considered "typical," a few characteristics are common for those who successfully unschool. Sue Patterson solves the mystery and shares what a few of these traits are. Perfect for those who are trying to figure out how to unschool or are looking for how to create a homeschooling routine.
More Posts
Share by: