Today I'm chatting with Melissa Crockett-Joyoue from New Zealand. Melissa and her partner have two neurodivergent children and they came to unschooling after their son had an extremely challenging time at school. She co-hosts the Unschooling Summit and holds the Weave online community for unschooling parents of neurodivergent children.

In this episode, we have an honest and heartfelt conversation about the realities of unschooling—especially for neurodivergent families. Together, we share our personal journeys, the challenges of leaving traditional education, and the pivotal role that community and connection play in supporting both parents and children.

Topics discussed include:

• Why traditional schooling doesn’t work for every child, particularly those who are neurodivergent

• The emotional and practical challenges of transitioning to unschooling

• The importance of building flexible, inclusive support networks—both online and offline

• How self-care and parental well-being are essential for family thriving

• Practical tips for finding connection, support, and resources as an unschooling family

Whether you’re considering unschooling, already on the journey, or supporting someone who is, this episode offers validation, encouragement, and a wealth of lived experience.

Connect with Melissa and learn more about the Weave community:

https://www.instagram.com/weave_nd

https://www.instagram.com/mama.weaves

Connect with Heidi and discover the blog, courses and the Unschooling Village Hub at liveplaylearn.org

Tune in for warmth, empathy, and practical wisdom on creating a path that works for your unique family.

Thank you for listening to Unschooling Conversations. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a like, and share.