The Wild and Curious Podcast

9 Simple Ways to Connect with Your Child

In this episode of The Wild & Curious, we’re slowing down to talk about one of the most important parts of learning and living together at home: connection. When your child feels close to you, when they feel seen, heard, and safe, everything else unfolds more naturally. Curiosity blossoms. Trust deepens. Conversations open up. Join me as I share nine gentle, practical ways to strengthen your bond with your child, from small daily rituals and shared activities to deeper listening and storytelling. These are things you can begin today — simple moments that make family life feel softer, more grounded, and more connected. Whether your child is a toddler, a teen, or somewhere in between, you’ll find ideas here to help you reconnect in the midst of everyday life. Come and join our newsletter at https://thewildcherryfarm.com/curious/

On Structure and Flow in Interest-led Learning

In this episode, I share what homeschooling looks like for us — not as “school at home,” but as a natural, interest-led way of learning through everyday life. I talk about the balance between structure and flow, and how I plan gentle activities that inspire my kids while still leaving plenty of room for curiosity, connection, and spontaneity. I share a peek into our week — a day at the park with friends, conversations and play, a slow home day filled with reading, building a wooden 3D puzzle, and enjoying the late September sun. It’s a reflection on how learning happens naturally when we follow our children’s interests and trust the process — whether through play, books, nature, or simple family rhythms. If you’re interested in unschooling, relaxed homeschooling, or gentle parenting, this episode offers a calm reminder that education doesn’t have to be forced. It can grow beautifully out of the life you’re already living. Come and join our newsletter at https://thewildcherryfarm.com/curious/

Between Unschooling and Charlotte Mason

In this episode of The Wild & Curious, I’m sharing an old recording I made about three years ago, where I read a blog post called Between Unschooling and Charlotte Mason. It was a snapshot of our homeschooling life at the time, how we were blending the flow of unschooling with the structure and inspiration of Charlotte Mason’s philosophy. After the recording, I’ll reflect on where we are today. Our homeschooling journey has shifted again, as it always does, and I’ll talk about how we balance freedom and structure, follow our children’s interests, and create family traditions that support both learning and connection. If you’ve ever wondered how unschooling and Charlotte Mason can work together, or if you’re simply looking for encouragement to find your own family’s rhythm, this episode is for you. If you’d like more reflections, resources, and gentle encouragement for your unschooling journey, I share a short bi-weekly newsletter. Come and join us at thewildcherryfarm.com/curious/ Link to my old blog post: https://thewildcherryfarm.com/between-unschooling-and-charlotte-mason/

Your Unschooling Nest ~ Creating a Nurturing Home Atmosphere

How do you create a nurturing unschooling nest at home? In this episode, we’ll talk about building a supportive environment for unschooling and homeschooling families, one that goes far beyond the physical space. From family values, rhythms, and daily rituals to the way we speak to each other and the atmosphere we cultivate, I’ll share ideas for creating a home filled with abundance, curiosity, and connection. We’ll also look at the role of your physical space, whether you live in the city, countryside, or somewhere in between, and how your family’s unique interests, hobbies, and traditions can shape your home learning environment. ✨ To help you reflect on your own family’s nest, I’ve created a free Unchooling Nest Reflection Guide with prompts and inspiration. You can get it by subscribing to my newsletter here: https://thewildcherryfarm.com/curious/

From Minecraft to Maths ~ A Story About Gaps

One of the most common questions about unschooling is: What about the gaps? What if my child never learns algebra, or grammar or history? In this episode, I explore the idea of “gaps” in learning and why they may not be as big a problem as they seem. I share personal stories from our own journey, including how one of my children went from doing no formal maths to thriving in school maths later on. We’ll talk about why curiosity and confidence are more important than ticking every box, and how unschooling is less about leaving education to chance and more like a dance — sometimes your child leads with their interests, and sometimes you bring in new sparks of inspiration. If you’d like more reflections, resources, and gentle encouragement for your unschooling journey, I share a short bi-weekly newsletter. Come and join us at thewildcherryfarm.com/curious/