In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Julieta Duvall about her family’s journey from traditional schooling to an unschooling lifestyle. Julieta opens up about the challenges of upending societal expectations, the impact of the pandemic on her family’s choices, and the transformative work of shifting to a life built on partnership, flexibility, and intentional living.
About the Guest:
Julieta has spent 20 years as a flight attendant and now lives intentionally with her family. Their choice to home educate has brought them closer and fostered deeper alignment. She is dedicated to inspiring others to value and nurture living in partnership with their children.
Main Topics Covered:
How the COVID-19 pandemic and virtual schooling prompted Julieta’s shift to homeschooling and unschooling.
The difference between traditional schooling, homeschooling, and unschooling philosophies.
Challenging societal and cultural norms around work, school, and parenting roles.
The importance of reconnecting with your children and yourself as part of the educational journey.
Finding community and support through mentorship and local unschooling groups.
The emotional work and self-reflection required to model partnership, communication, and imperfection as a parent.
Rethinking family priorities: work, money, and time as intentional, life-affirming choices.
Quote from the Episode: “The way I define unschooling, it's a life of partnership with your children. You meet in the middle. I don't have all the control, but they also don't have the control. And we are meeting everyone's needs in the middle.” — Julieta Duvall
Timestamps: [00:00:06] Introductions and Michigan geography
[00:01:02] Last compliment given—supporting a young instructor
[00:01:17] Family background & school changes in 2020
[00:03:11] Julieta’s educational path from Mexico to Michigan
[00:07:45] The value of learning for life
[00:08:40] Impact of pandemic on schooling decisions
[00:13:45] Julieta’s pre-pandemic struggles with the “busy” life
[00:20:39] Transition from traditional homeschooling to unschooling
[00:24:03] Letting go of curriculum; reconnecting with her son
[00:28:26] The philosophy of unschooling and “radical unschooling”
[00:35:18] Emotional labor and breaking societal conditioning
[00:41:08] Faith, parenting philosophies, and real life learning
[00:42:54] The personal (and ongoing) work behind family alignment
[00:47:52] Family communication and partnership in daily life
[00:49:02] Rethinking work, money, and intentional living
[00:53:57] Where to connect with Julieta, closing questions
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