How can unschooling kids keep following their passions once they get to an age where they need to earn money to support themselves?
- Some unschoolers step straight into a career based on their interests
- Some might decide to get a job in a completely different field and continue following their interests in their spare time
- Others will find a job that will earn them money while they keep working on their passions. They hope that eventually, they can give up their jobs and earn money from their passions instead
My daughters Imogen and Sophie are following the last option. They are both working in a cafe in a local town, and the money they earn allows them to keep developing their passions for photography, writing and music.
The other day, someone said to Sophie, “You don’t want to work in a cafe all your life, do you?” Now the woman didn’t say anything else, but I wonder if she was thinking: Shouldn’t Sophie have loftier ambitions than making coffee, cooking food and serving customers? What about going to university? Shouldn’t she study for a tertiary qualification which will allow her to do something above average?
Even though I don’t think there is anything wrong with cafe work – working in a business is both interesting and challenging – Sophie does have other ambitions. She wants to keep using her talents. She wants to share them with the world. And she hopes to earn money from them at the same time!
Imogen is already earning money from one of her passions. She has just published her first novel, The Crystal Tree. If you’d like to check it out, see the links in the show notes!
In this week’s podcast episode 129: Unschoolers Earning Money, Following Passions, I’m talking about what Imogen and Sophie are doing at the moment.
I also answer the questions:
- Do we have to finish everything we start?
- What have I been doing recently?
- Why did I leave Instagram?
- Why is my daughter Gemma-Rose painting the interior of our house?
- And where can you buy a copy of Imogen’s first novel, The Crystal Tree?
Show Notes
Imogen
Blog: Write, Rewrite, Read
Novel: The Crystal Tree, available as a paperback or Kindle ebook.
When I wrote The Crystal Tree I specifically wanted to write a main character who wasn’t kick butt awesome or sword-wielding. I wanted to write a feminine character who made her way through the world using her wit and allying herself with the right people to get her where she wanted to go, and who used what skills she had instead of needing to be as strong as a man. I guess I wanted to write a different kind of strong female, and hopefully, I succeeded!
Imogen Elvis
TV Series
The Great Interior Design Challenge
You might find some episodes on Netflix or other sites.
Podcast
Episode 86: Are You an Unschooling Multipotentialite?
Photos: I took these photos this morning before Imogen and Sophie left for work. Gemma-Rose managed to get into a few as well. The girls are sitting in our family room in front of Gemma-Rose’s freshly painted blue wall!
Have you done any redecorating of your home recently? And what about finishing things you start? How do you know when it’s time to quit? I started podcasting 4 years ago, and it seems I’m not finished making episodes. I’m going to make some more!
Lovely to hear you again Sue, you definitely have not lost your magic touch! It’s great that the girls are working together, the cafe owner must be thrilled. This podcast was of particular interest to me, as it’s something I think about a fair bit, and one that our son is currently dealing with – which way to go? It’s hard when you know exactly what you want to do, but need the income first. Camera equipment, phew, SO expensive! I hope the girls achieve their goals, and I think it’s really amazing that Imogen is now an author!
Kelly,
“…you definitely have not lost your magic touch!” Thank you so much for these kind words!
The girls are really enjoying working together at the cafe. And yes, the cafe owner is thrilled! They work hard and she can depend on them.
It sounds like your son wants to go in a similar direction to Sophie. Yes, camera equipment is very expensive, but it’s necessary. Does your son have a part-time job? I wonder if he wants to go to university or do some other kind of course. Lots of options. Which way to go? Sometimes it’s hard to know what to do! For the moment, Sophie would rather work than study. (And experiment with her passions in her spare time.) But, of course, she can always change her mind later.
“I think it’s really amazing that Imogen is now an author!” I think Imogen can’t believe she actually published her book. Very exciting!
I hope your son achieves his goals too. It’s been so good chatting with you. Enjoy the weekend!
Kelly, your son is really talented. I have been really impressed with his films!
Anonymous is me. lol!
I’ve really enjoyed hearing all the latest news about you and your girls, Sue. I love hearing everything you have to say – it’s so encouraging and thought-provoking. 🙂
Congratulations on your first book, Imogen!!
Alison,
I’m glad you enjoyed this episode. I’m still hoping Sophie can join me for some future podcast episodes. Maybe we’ll find time to record something together on her next day off work. Thank you for listening!
Loved your podcast Sue! I was so happy to hear your voice. Your certificate story reminded me of how I floundered around after I quit my job as a law office receptionist. I had so much stress and then so much guilt. I think I still fill guilty about that. It’s funny how that works. But I wouldn’t want someone else in that position to feel so much stress and guilt, especially my own children. Anyway, I really enjoyed this podcast and love hearing about all the wonderful things your children are up to. I have read Imogen’s book and it was wonderful! Kudos to Imogen and congratulations to both girls on the new jobs!
Venisa,
Yes, it’s strange how we feel guilty because we quit something that isn’t right for us. I guess we’ve both learnt from our experiences. We know what we don’t want our kids to endure.
I’m glad you enjoyed the podcast. Thank you so much for your congratulations for the girls!