Iris Chen, author of Untigering and mother of two, returns to the podcast this week to share what their unschooling lives look like right now and talk about her book. Iris talks about her family’s experience with a self-directed learning center and the path her sons took to make the choice to attend one.

We dive into the connection between parenting and unschooling and how her book is about the inner work needed to be a peaceful parent—and in turn, an unschooling parent. Iris also shares how her earlier unschooling days helped shape the relationships that now thrive even in this new season, with new activities and schedules.

Questions for Iris

Can you share with us a bit about you and your family? What is everybody interested in right now?

When we connected, you mentioned the idea of “seasons of unschooling.” I thought that was a beautiful description of how unschooling flows over time. Can you share what it means to you?

How do you see unschooling principles continue to weave through your days now that they include time your boys spend at a learning center?

Do you think bringing the learning center into your lives may have been a different experience if it had happened earlier in your unschooling journey?

I definitely want to mention your book, Untigering: Peaceful Parenting for the Deconstructing Tiger Parent. I really enjoyed it! It’s focused on parenting rather than unschooling per se, but those parenting shifts really are integral to unschooling, aren’t they?

What has surprised you most about how unschooling, with its different seasons, has unfolded for your family so far?

Things mentioned in the episode

Podcast episode 132, Deschooling Two Cultures with Iris Chen

Untigering website

Untigering, the book

Iris’ Instagram and Facebook

Transcript

Read the transcript

Video

Watch the YouTube video

The Living Joyfully Network community

The Network is a wonderful online community for parents to engage in candid conversations about living and learning through the lens of unschooling. Our shared goals are to embrace lifelong learning, develop strong and connected relationships with our children, and cultivate a thriving unschooling lifestyle in our families.

This month, our theme is The Joys of Unschooling and we’re exploring it through the lenses of presence and kindness.

If you’re curious to learn more about the community, click here!

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