One thing I love about unschooling is that it’s never boring! Just when I think we’ve got our groove on, my kiddos get older and interested in new and different things. It certainly keeps me on my toes…and I wouldn’t have it any other way!

This year has been a turning point for my three oldest children. At 14 and almost 12, my son and twin daughters are suddenly much more involved in the world at large. With gymnastics, horseback riding, ice skating, voice lessons, and drama each week, I now understand what people mean by the “taxi” years! But even when they’re home, my teen and tweens have reached a new level of independence in many areas, including the area of traditional academics. I must confess: the teacher in me loves this (What? You want to learn fractions? Right this way, my friend…I’ve been waiting to show you this for YEARS!). Much to my surprise, however, sometimes the teacher they’re looking for is…well… not me.

My son, especially, has felt the need to try his wings, so to speak, in what he calls “real classes” (aka…something not taught by his mother). And so began the search…where to find classes that would work well for my unschooler?

Enter Outschool – online classes for kids and teens.

I discovered Outschool quite serendipitously as I scrolled through a Facebook group of local homeschoolers one day. As I scanned the posts, my eye was drawn to one that promised to teach my child the science of genetics…through Harry Potter! That was it – I knew I had to check it out. I followed the link and found a whole treasure trove of classes – many of which I wanted to take myself! Shortly thereafter, my son enrolled in the genetics class. Full disclosure: I may have been even more enthusiastic about this than he was. It is possible I sneakily watched the lesson over his shoulder. Hey, I’m a Potter fan. Need I say more?

That was the beginning of our relationship with Outschool. We are now several classes in, and it’s been an excellent fit. My daughter enjoyed participating in a live history lesson, during which she got to interact with the teacher and a small group of students. My son prefers classes that run on a flexi-schedule; he can access the material at any point during the week and complete assignments at his own pace. With offerings in all the major subject areas as well as some pretty cool, non-traditional subjects, our “favorites” list seems to grow by the week!

Yes, things are changing. My kiddos are growing up, taking charge of their education in new ways. These days, they’re not only unschooling, they’re Outschooling.

Outschool – online classes for kids and teens. Join for free and find thousands of small-group, online classes from amazing educators.