The other day I interviewed my 14-year-old daughter, Sophie: I wanted to hear her opinions about perfect families, mistakes and listening to kids. It was only later when I watched the finished video, I realised I’d made a big mistake: I’d done more talking than listening, especially in the first few minutes.
Yes, I’m not perfect. I make mistakes all the time. How do I know this? Sophie told me so in the interview! After a couple of minutes, I finally gave my daughter a chance to talk, and what she had to say was very interesting. Yes, when we take the time to listen to our kids, we learn a lot.
In this week’s podcast, I share some thoughts on perfection, mistakes and listening to kids.
In episode 60, I talk about:
- Celebrations and joy: Why should we celebrate the small everyday things in life?
- Cake: Did I make my kids adopt a sugar-free diet? Do we no longer eat cake?
- Perfection: Are we a perfect family? Do we need to be perfect if I’m sharing my family’s experiences on the Internet?
- Mistakes: If I do make mistakes, am I going to lead you astray? What if I tell you something that’s just not right?
- Christian unschooling: Are we an obnoxious religious family? Is unschooling not a very Christian thing to do?
- Listening: How do we encourage kids to talk to us? How can we improve our listening skills?
- Popularity: Do I want to be popular?
I also tell my mean kids story, the one I forgot to talk about last week!
Show Notes
Blog Post
Can Unschooling Be a Christian Thing to Do?
Podcast
Being Honest: Talking About Mistakes and Perfection
I Quit Sugar
Video
Listening to Kids: An Unschooling Interview
Podcast Music
60’s Quiz Show by Podington Bear, (CC BY-NC 3.0)
Images: I took these photos last Sunday while we were having a picnic breakfast at the lake. We were celebrating how beautifully cool the early morning is on an Australian summer’s day!
and here on my blog.
You could share your favourite way of celebrating or comment on anything in this week’s episode. Or you could just stop by to say hello. I’d like that!
wow you got wonderful blog ,your family is very lovely ,best wishes
Baili,
Thank you very much for your kind comment. I'm glad you stopped by!
Just listened. I love your positive, loving attitude! If we lived near you in Australia I'd encourage my daughter to be friends w your girls! They seem like such kind and cheerful people!
Summer,
It's such a pity we all live so far apart. Yes, maybe our girls would be friends if we were closer. It's a lovely thought and I do appreciate it very much. Thank you so much for your kind words and for listening to this week's episode. I'm glad you stopped by!
I felt so sad when you told your story about mean kids. Unfortunately that happens to schooled kids too. And adults. I attended a St. John's ambulance first aid course as an adult and was also isolated because I was interested in learning it all and did very well as a result. My classmates just wanted the certificate to meet a work requirement so they didn't really care. They resented my enthusiasm and the instructors positive response to it. I actually felt pressured to pretend to not know things and to not answer questions because I didn't want to be *that* person – the 'know it all'. Such a sad world we live in sometimes. Love your podcasts and I listen to every one. You're the best!
Lex,
I have many memories of being the victim of mean kids when I was at school. It makes my heart break to think of my children experiencing the same pain. Maybe my kids' negative experiences will make them more compassionate and loving towards other people in a similar situation. I'm sorry to hear you've experienced meanness as an adult. Yes, it's a very sad world.
Thank you so much for your kind words about my podcasts. You've made me smile. I just posted this week's episode. It's a few days late but I got there in the end.
Thank you so much for stopping by!
Lex,
I feel honoured to be 'that friend'. Thank you! We also don't have any unschooling friends to share with in 'real life'. I am grateful for my like-minded friends online. I do sometimes wonder if I have said everything worth saying and perhaps I should move on to other challenges, but when I read comments like yours, I feel encouraged to keep recording podcasts. Thank you for your very kind words. I do appreciate your feedback very much. I hope we can chat again another time. We can be part of the same team!
Thank you so much for making the time to do a podcast. I'm not kidding or just trying to be nice when I say they make the world of difference to me. I live in a place where unschooling is rare and I don't have any people to talk to about it or to share their experience. You are that 'friend' I don't have in real life. If you ever do decide to move onto other things/projects one day I will understand and wish you well, but I will miss you!