LIFE is Good Conference

Click here to see the full 2012 conference schedule.

The Kid’s Got Spirit

Is your child intense, sensitive, persistent, energetic…? Do the books on your nightstand have names like The Out of Sync Child, The Explosive Child, The Highly Sensitive Child, Parenting your High Need Baby, Raising your Spirited Child? Do you sometimes feel like you haven’t anything left to give, like you are the only one with a child who seems to need so much “more”? You aren’t. Come, and we’ll share some stories, help each other find joy in the moments, and leave feeling just a little less alone. Facilitated by Gillian Mayer.

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Approaching Puberty, Sexuality, and the Teen Years

Are you the parent of a new adult with experience to share about the journey? Are there things you wish you’d known, things you would have done differently, and things you’ve learned that you’re willing to share? Or are you, like me, the parent of a soon-to-be teen, knowing you want to do things differently, knowing you want to partner your child through their journey, but a bit trepidatious, not quite knowing your role or how things will unfold? Join us for confidential conversation, sharing, and gentle (or not so) pushing in the direction of seeing things through your teen’s eyes and fully supporting and partnering them as they fledge. Teens are also welcome to attend to share their perspective! Facilitated by Gillian Mayer.

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Unhelpful Inner Dialogue: Unearth, Explore, Reframe

All unschoolers periodically go through times where they continually question themselves, or have recurring voices from the past enter into their conversation around their kids or influence their interactions. This inner dialogue can create triggers that undermine our relationship with our kids, triggers that we aren’t even aware of.

What do you say to yourself over and over again? What do you say to yourself about your kids? What do you say to your kids that isn’t representative of how you truly feel? Many of these thoughts and ideas were originally put into your head without your permission.

What is your underlying running dialogue, and what is it saying to you, about you and about your kids? Come on over and let’s share ideas for how to reframe the thoughts that hold into patterns that are not productive for ourselves or our children.

There’s no magic here, except the beauty of a good empathetic group of smart people with diverse perspectives and a shared priority placed on the parent child relationship.

Come be vulnerable with us. Hosted by Lyla Wolfenstein and Miriam Mason.

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Introverts Unite!

(From our separate corners and without excessive eye contact .)

Introverts face a unique set of challenges when it comes to unschooling. The lack of solitude, the emphasis on larger social gatherings like park days and conferences, and those times when your kids want to go and do when you just want to stay home can be exhausting, over stimulating, and intimidating. For some families the challenge lies in meeting the needs of children with distinctly different social needs. Come share your coping strategies, what you find most difficult, or just sit quietly and listen to the conversation while you work on your knitting knowing you’re in a room full of people who understand. Hosted by Jenna Robertson.

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How to Say Yes When Your Funds are Low

Are you unschooling on a very small budget? Do you want to unschool but you aren’t sure if it is financially possible? Together we will discuss the creative ways families have found to explore the world and follow their passions while living with a limited budget, while facing unemployment and during times of unexpected financial challenge. Join us in sharing stories of what has been possible for your family or ask the group for ideas and solutions relating to a specific challenge you are facing. Hosted by Miryam B’Shalom and Jenna Robertson.

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Little Big Video Gaming Chat

Join us for a chat session devoted to parents of today’s gamers! Learn why gaming is an important tool for our kids and why what they are learning isn’t necessarily what you see. Come prepared with your questions as we address worries about abundant gaming. Let us help you move past your fears about violence, sexuality and other taboo topics that persist in some games. Stop being a bystander and come learn and share tools for partnering and playing together. Hosted by Heather Burditt and Renee Cabatic.

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Unschooling Diversity-Would you like to be more welcoming?

This talk is about how to be welcoming to families from a wide varieties of backgrounds that exist in the unschooling community. It is also a time for families of diverse backgrounds to come together and make connections with other families.
Come with your questions, concerns and solutions to opening up your family’s unschooling experiences to folks from different backgrounds/experiences. All are welcome. Hosted by Erika Davis-Pitre.

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Unschooling Your Teens-Is it what you expected?

This talk is for all families who either have teens, will have teens soon and/or have the pleasure of looking back on their children’s teenage years. It will be a chance to ask questions, share insights, and find support among other families with unschooling teens. Both parents and teens are welcomed and encouraged to attend. Hosted by Erika Davis-Pitre.

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Television 101: Using TV to Spark Imagination and Discussion

Can TV shows and movies really help bring families closer together? Definitely! Let’s talk about how can you use shows and movies to spark conversation, inspire research and study, motivate discussions, and give your family something to bond over. Yes, Buffy the Vampire Slayer can be educational! Hosted by Tamra Orr.

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Outside Activities and Your Unschooling Life

Outside activities enrich our children’s growth and development and can be a big part of unschooling.  They provide an opportunity to try new things and learn new skills.

In your household, how do you find out about activities, evaluate their cost and quality, and decide upon participation?  What role does your unschooling child play in this process?  Are they free to do anything they want, or do you feel a need to steer them in a given direction?

Come discuss the role outside activities play in your unschooling lives.  We’ll compare notes about what you consider a “good” program and how do you determine if it is meeting the needs of your family. Hosted by Bret Winkler.

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Meet and Greet for Newbies

We will help everyone attending the conference for the first time understand the flow of the conference, maneuvering logistics, tips on getting your needs met and answer any questions you might have about how to make the conference work for you and your family.  Or if you’re not a newbie, come share your favorite conference tips. Hosted by Carolyn Winkler & Ronnie Maier.

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SSUDS -The Secret Society of Unschooling Dads

The Secret Society of Unschooling Dads is guaranteed to host a round of lively discussion. This is a ‘dads only’ session to allow the menfolk extra freedom to talk, share and get those questions out in the open. Beverages, support and honest discussion will be provided. Moderated by Frank Maier.

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Recovery Circle

For those needing Recovery friendship, hope and support during the conference we will be having a 12-step recovery meeting here at LIG. For anyone already in recovery in a 12-step program, for those new to recovery, those interested in recovery, whether you are struggling with your addiction at this time, or are in a good place and can provide experience, strength and hope to others we will be meeting together and be able to support each other throughout our conference time here.