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EP 141 Unschooling Yourself: Letting Go of the ‘Shoulds’ in Parenting
Manage episode 513596561 series 3434428
What if the problem was never your child—but the system itself?
In this powerful conversation, Dr. Olivia sits down with Esther Jones, mindfulness teacher, mother of three, and author of The Parent’s Handbook to Unschooling Yourself, to explore what happens when we let go of the ‘shoulds’ that weigh parents down. From daily battles over school refusal to the pressure of academic milestones, Esther shares her family’s journey into unschooling—a path that focuses on curiosity, connection, and trust rather than control.
Together, they unpack how mindfulness and self-compassion can transform not just how our children learn, but how we parent. Whether you are curious about alternatives to traditional education or simply looking for a way to bring more calm and joy into your home, this episode will help you see that the first step to helping your child thrive might just be learning to “unschool” yourself.
Author & mindful parenting coach
Book: The Parent's Handbook to Unschooling Yourself
Podcast: The Unschool Space
Website: www.esther-jones.com
👉 Join ADHD Warrior Mum: The Recharge Station
Join Dr. Olivia Kessel and leading SEND experts at the Recharge and Connect Summit on 11 November 2025 at Phyllis Court, Henley-on-Thames (also livestreamed).
A day to recharge, connect, and gain practical tools for raising neurodiverse children. 💛
👉 sendparenting.com/event
Click here to Join ADHD Warrior Mum's Recharge Station
Click her to RSVP Recharge and Connect SEND Parenting Summit
www.sendparenting.com
Chapters
1. Welcome & Host Intro (00:00:00)
2. ADHD Warrior Mom Community Announcement (00:00:46)
3. Meet Esther Jones and Unschooling (00:02:01)
4. Esther’s Family Journey Out of School (00:03:40)
5. Letting Go of “Shoulds” and Approval (00:07:30)
6. Unschooling vs Homeschooling Explained (00:11:20)
7. Safety, Nervous Systems, and Real Learning (00:15:12)
8. Gaming, Curiosity, and Connection (00:18:35)
9. Mindfulness for Reactive Moments (00:23:05)
10. Tending the Space: Home as Learning Ecosystem (00:27:44)
11. Trusting Children and the Unknown (00:31:30)
12. Work, Community, and Practical Setups (00:35:20)
13. Paths to GCSEs, College, and Choice (00:40:20)
14. Lifelong Learning Without a Curriculum (00:45:05)
15. Three Core Tips: You, Relationship, Curiosity (00:48:20)
16. Hot Chocolate on a Tuesday: Valuing Connection (00:51:00)
17. Resources, Thanks, and Closing CTA (00:53:20)
142 episodes
Manage episode 513596561 series 3434428
What if the problem was never your child—but the system itself?
In this powerful conversation, Dr. Olivia sits down with Esther Jones, mindfulness teacher, mother of three, and author of The Parent’s Handbook to Unschooling Yourself, to explore what happens when we let go of the ‘shoulds’ that weigh parents down. From daily battles over school refusal to the pressure of academic milestones, Esther shares her family’s journey into unschooling—a path that focuses on curiosity, connection, and trust rather than control.
Together, they unpack how mindfulness and self-compassion can transform not just how our children learn, but how we parent. Whether you are curious about alternatives to traditional education or simply looking for a way to bring more calm and joy into your home, this episode will help you see that the first step to helping your child thrive might just be learning to “unschool” yourself.
Author & mindful parenting coach
Book: The Parent's Handbook to Unschooling Yourself
Podcast: The Unschool Space
Website: www.esther-jones.com
👉 Join ADHD Warrior Mum: The Recharge Station
Join Dr. Olivia Kessel and leading SEND experts at the Recharge and Connect Summit on 11 November 2025 at Phyllis Court, Henley-on-Thames (also livestreamed).
A day to recharge, connect, and gain practical tools for raising neurodiverse children. 💛
👉 sendparenting.com/event
Click here to Join ADHD Warrior Mum's Recharge Station
Click her to RSVP Recharge and Connect SEND Parenting Summit
www.sendparenting.com
Chapters
1. Welcome & Host Intro (00:00:00)
2. ADHD Warrior Mom Community Announcement (00:00:46)
3. Meet Esther Jones and Unschooling (00:02:01)
4. Esther’s Family Journey Out of School (00:03:40)
5. Letting Go of “Shoulds” and Approval (00:07:30)
6. Unschooling vs Homeschooling Explained (00:11:20)
7. Safety, Nervous Systems, and Real Learning (00:15:12)
8. Gaming, Curiosity, and Connection (00:18:35)
9. Mindfulness for Reactive Moments (00:23:05)
10. Tending the Space: Home as Learning Ecosystem (00:27:44)
11. Trusting Children and the Unknown (00:31:30)
12. Work, Community, and Practical Setups (00:35:20)
13. Paths to GCSEs, College, and Choice (00:40:20)
14. Lifelong Learning Without a Curriculum (00:45:05)
15. Three Core Tips: You, Relationship, Curiosity (00:48:20)
16. Hot Chocolate on a Tuesday: Valuing Connection (00:51:00)
17. Resources, Thanks, and Closing CTA (00:53:20)
142 episodes
All episodes
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