4. What Is Deschooling? Why Your Child May Need Time to Heal

Why doesn't your child seem interested in learning after leaving school? Why do they only want to play, rest or spend time on screens? And is something actually wrong—or could this be a healthy part of the healing process? Many parents expect that once school is no longer part of the picture, their children will immediately become curious, motivated and excited to learn. But for many families, the opposite happens first. In this episode, we explore what deschooling really is and why it's one of the most important—and often misunderstood—parts of the transition away from conventional education. We discuss why children often need time to recover from years of external control, how adults go through their own deschooling process, and why reconnecting with trust, autonomy and our inner compass takes patience. Whether you're homeschooling, home educating, unschooling or simply questioning the role of school in your family's life, this conversation offers a compassionate introduction to deschooling as a process of healing, growth and liberation. Some of the questions and ideas we explore include: What is deschooling? Why doesn't my child want to do anything after leaving school? Is it normal for children to spend lots of time on screens while deschooling? Why do parents need to deschool too? How long does the deschooling process take? How can I support my child's healing without getting in the way? Looking for support as you navigate learning outside school? Explore free masterclasses, resources, and a community of parents asking similar questions → Join UN-SKOOL Wondering what keeps shaping your reactions when parenting gets hard? → Discover Your Parenting Archetype Have a parenting, homeschooling, or unschooling question? Send it to us and we may answer it in an upcoming newsletter: → Dear Sari & Becka → Follow us on Instagram and come hang out with us between episodes. → Check out our website and explore more of our work, resources, and support. Radical Learning Talks was named the #2 Democratic Education Podcast to Listen to in 2026 by FeedSpot. See the full list