I’m my kids’ number one fan. I cheer my children on from the sidelines, encouraging them to develop their talents and become the people they are meant to be. I tell them I’m proud of them. I share in the joy of their achievements.
Now some people might not approve of all this cheering. Maybe they worry that with all this positive attention, a child might start to think she’s someone special, someone better than everyone else. However, my daughter Imogen says she needs me to say, “Hey, you’re doing a great job. I’m really proud of you!” For if a parent, the most important person in a child’s life, doesn’t believe in them and say these things, who will? Kids value the opinions of their parents. They need to hear they’re doing okay. It encourages them to keep moving forward.
But being my kids’ number one fan isn’t what I’m talking about in this week’s podcast. Instead, I’m chatting with one of my number one fans, my daughter Sophie. She thinks I’m doing something important. She’s proud of me. You know what? It feels good to be cheered on by my teenage daughter. Her opinions matter to me. Just like children, parents need to hear that they’re doing a great job.
In episode 126, My Number One Unschooling Fan, Sophie and I discuss lots of questions including:
- What extra content am I producing for my Patreon patrons?
- What has Imogen been doing instead of making music videos?
- Why have I asked my daughters Imogen and Sophie to be regular contributors to my blog?
- Why should we take an interest in our kids’ passions?
- Do I present my children in an honest and truthful way?
- How do we encourage our kids to be themselves and not follow the crowd when they go out into the world?
- Why would Sophie become a patron of my blog and podcast (if she were an unschooling parent)?
Show Notes
Podcasts
Episode 110: An Interview with a Teenage Radical Unschooler
Episode 34: Learning from My Daughter and Other Unschool Stories
Video
How I Got My Mother to Do a 100 Squat Challenge
Blog Post
Youtube
Fitness
Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider sharing the link so we can spread the word about unschooling.
So who’s your number one fan? Do your kids cheer you on? Are they as proud of you as you are of them?
It was great to hear from Sophie. Like you mentioned, I am impressed by Sophie’s speaking abilities. She’s very pleasant to listen to! If she went to work for a television news program she would do well on either side of the camera! Don’t worry about making mistakes on your podcasts. I agree with Sophie that people enjoy a more casual and friendly feel over perfection! On the recording that I sent in you can hear me say “set your time by” when I meant to say “set your watch by.” So maybe I am a little obsessive too…why am I still thinking about this?! Of course your Australian accent is very pleasant to listen to.
Venisa,
Sophie has come a long way with her speaking skills. I’m glad you enjoy listening to her.
Sometimes when I make mistakes while podcasting, I say to myself, “Oh well, maybe everyone will think that’s the Aussie way of saying it.” Of course, this won’t work with my Australian listeners!
Thank you so much for listening to this week’s episode!
Can’t wait to listen and I am all about the cheering!!! Always love the great pictures of your family 🙂
Meredith,
I’m glad you also like cheering! I hope you enjoy this week’s podcast when you get a chance to listen!