The Biggest Question We Had When We Started Unschooling
When Iwona and I first started our journey into the unschooling world, the question that kept us up at night was this:
“How will our kids find learning and socialization opportunities if they’re not in traditional school?”
Like any major life change, unschooling felt daunting at first — mostly because the responsibility for our children’s education now rested solely on us.
But what we quickly discovered was that responsibility can also be incredibly freeing — for both us and our boys.
Why Unschooling Works for So Many Families
Every child learns at a different pace, in a different way. That’s what makes unschooling such a beautiful approach to education.
If your child craves structure, you can build it in.
If they thrive with unstructured, creative time, that’s available too.
Unschooling lets us meet our kids where they are — not where a standardized system says they should be.
Finding the right learning tools, resources, and community took us some time. But I’m sharing what’s worked best for us here — to save you some time and help spark new ideas for your own journey.
Step 1: Find Local Homeschooling and Unschooling Communities
The Best Place to Start? Social Media Groups
Your first stop should be local Facebook groups or homeschooling networks. There are countless unschooling and homeschooling groups out there — almost every city or region has them.
These groups offer:
Socialization opportunities for kids (playdates, field trips, museum days, park meetups)
Learning resources and ideas from other families
Support from parents walking a similar path
Special interest meetups (STEM groups, book clubs, nature hikes)
Pro Tip: Even if a group isn’t a perfect fit, attending a few events might help you discover a new idea — or meet a lifelong friend.
Step 2: Learn From Other Unschooling Families
When we first started unschooling, it felt like we were joining this small, niche group of people who didn’t wake up and send their kids to school every day.
But the more we leaned in, the more we realized — there’s a whole world of parents out there doing the same thing.
Blogs & Online Resources to Check Out:
Homeschooling and unschooling blogs (like this one!)
Podcasts on child-led learning
YouTube channels from homeschooling families
Instagram accounts sharing day-in-the-life content
One of the blogs that helped us the most in our early days was starkravingdad.com— packed with relatable stories and actionable advice for new unschoolers.
Step 3: Explore Non-Traditional Learning Opportunities
As a society, we’re evolving — and our education systems should evolve too.
One of the most exciting parts of unschooling is discovering new learning environments that didn’t exist when we were kids.
Some of the Opportunities We’ve Found Locally:
Non-profit learning centers offering classes in:
Rocketry
Engineering
Cooking
Pottery
Nature schools and forest programs
Community art and maker spaces
Co-op homeschooling groups
A simple internet search for your area + keywords like homeschool classes near me or alternative education programscan open up a world of possibilities.
Final Thoughts: Unschooling Creates Limitless Opportunities
Ultimately, what we want for our kids isn’t just a good education — it’s a life filled with curiosity, creativity, and limitlessopportunity.
Unschooling gives us the freedom to help our children explore their passions, learn at their own pace, and connect deeply with the world around them.
Yes — it can feel overwhelming at first.
Yes — it takes effort and intention.
But I promise you: it’s worth it.
