the network for radical unschooling families

Single Parent Unschooling

I've been a single parent, and I'm an unschooler -- but not at the same time.

I've known a couple of single unschooling Moms in my local community (one widowed, one never married) and a few more online. From what I've seen, those who manage to continue unschooling do so with a lot of family support. It has me wondering about those who for whatever reason don't have much family support for unschooling as a single parent. What kinds of needs do you have that could be met by local unschooling communities?

Yes, a two parent home is seen as ideal and I don't think unschooling should ever be THE reason for a divorce, but experience tells me that despite what I think, people sometimes do divorce, and some of them want to unschool.

I'm just wondering what unschooling communities can do to support single unschooling parents.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Charissa Vaunderbroad on November 7, 2009 at 3:34am: I am glad my hubby is supportive, he hasn't always been and it would have broken us up if he didn't change his mind, he just didn't understand where I was coming from at first, and I had to stand up for my son's rights over and over again until it became second nature for all of us. He felt that I was siding with my son and undermining his authority for quite a while. He got over it.
I did have time to reflect on how it would change my life to be a single parent and unschooler. I realized that I would have to be able to have my son with me more, at work and school and I would need more familial participation, people who were excited to share with a kid. But I think these are needs of all unschooling kids. ~Charissa; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Sally Terranova on November 17, 2009 at 6:38pm: I'm a single mom. I unschool my nearly 6 year old son in Queens (NYC), NY. As my mom and Step-dad live out of state and the rest of my family is 20 mins or more away in another county (close, but really yet so far esp. in NY with everyone's busy schedules, traffic, etc.) I do so pretty much alone. We have a few friends that we see from time to time. We are of course not locked away inside-we go all over to the parks, museums, etc. Though the hardest thing for me is the isolation I struggle with because I'm not like anyone else here that I have found! My son is an only child and I do wish he could be around more like minded kids a little more, but he seems to be happy and thriving. I guess as a parent you will always have something to worry about or that could be better. My biggest pressures are money and time constraints. I also babysit nearly full-time with my son so I sometimes wish I could do more stuff that WE want to do than low key days sticking around the local area because of the baby.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Rachael on November 20, 2009 at 1:02pm: I'm a single mama, unschooling this year my four boys. I am finding it very difficult and overwhelming with not alot of support and alot of relearning/deschooling for me. I grew up in a very authoritative household, sometimes verbally and physically abusive. I went to public school. My family and most of my friends/people i know believe in sending your kids off to school and strict discipline.
I have read alot of information and joined some online groups. I could really use people to talk to who are experienced or like-minded. Possibly a mentor of sort. We moved to Florida recently and haven't seen many homeschoolers/unschoolers in the area either.
Rachael~; ▶ Reply to This