EER121: Homeschooling, Parenting and Backpacking with Toddlers

Homeschooling, unschooling, parenting, and backpacking with toddlers. These are just a few things we discuss in this week's episode of Epic Education Radio.

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Backpacking with Toddlers

Meet Jen Lumunlan. Like many of us, she was told that travel stopped once you have children. And like many of us, she didn't believe it. At the time of writing, Jen and her daughter Carys have been hiking and backpacking in Colorado, the UK and several places in Europe.

Granted, Jen has been doing much of the actual hiking thus far, with Carys riding along on her back. For example, when they hiked the roughly 90 miles of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path in Wales, Jen explains that she hiked "approximately 89" of those miles. That's what backpacking with a toddler is like, but the rewards far outweigh the steps taken.

 

Jen notes the origin of her travel bug to be when she traveled through the United States by Greyhound Bus when she was 18. Fast forward to the present, and now she has begun backpacking with her daughter, hiking through some amazing territory.

After her daughter was born, Jen realized she knew nothing about being a parent so she returned to school for a Master's in Psychology focused on Child Development.  Each episode of Jen's podcast, Your Parenting Mojo, explores the scientific literature on a topic related to child development, and turns it into actionable information parents can start using immediately. Listen in for parenting conversations that cover everything from potty training to raising a bilingual child.

In addition to podcasting and backpacking with toddlers, Jen is a passionate advocate of child-led learning. We discuss homeschooling, unschooling and other forms of unconventional education. She also has a homeschooling course and offers a USD $20 discount to Epic Education Listeners. Simply use the discount code "EPIC" at checkout.

IN THIS EPISODE

02:03 Intro 04:00 e-biking 06:27 Origins 09:35 Routines when backpacking with toddlers 12:31 Travel gear 18:07 Education 27:55 Main questions about homeschooling 47:27 The value of Youtube  45:07 Resources

 

ABOUT

Names: Jen Lumunlan and her daughter Carys Hold passports from: USA / UK Type of travel: Mostly backpacking so far A few places they've been: Backpacking trips in Italy, France, Switzerland (via Tour du Mont Blanc), Ireland (via Dingle Way), Wales (via Pembrokeshire Coast Path), Colorado (Breckenridge to Aspen), and Italy (Cinque Terre)

 

IN THEIR BAGS

Peapod sleep tent Ergobaby carriers Bitybean pack Deuter Kid Comfort 2 GB Pocket Stroller gDiapers for compostable diapers Gossamer Gear MARIPOSA 60 BACKPACK Asolo TPS 520 GV EVO Hiking Boots

 

LINKS & RESOURCES

Your Parenting Mojo Your Homeschooling Mojo The Reggio Emilia method John Holt GWS John Holt's books The Alliance for Self-Directed Education Cicerone hiking guides in Europe  Series of in-depth articles on backpacking the Tour du Mont Blanc with a baby Green Trails maps in the Pacific Northwest Ground Truth Trekking blog for backpacking with a baby I mentioned our electric bike in Japan

 

FIND THEM ON

Your Parenting Mojo | on iTunes | on Stitcher

 

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. This means, at no extra cost to you,  we might receive a small commission if you make a purchase or book using those links. My opinions are my own and I only recommend places/services that I believe will genuinely help your travel, whether it's backpacking with toddlers or otherwise.

 

Full-on family travel fundamentals. Epic Education Radio is interviews, stories and advice for people who decide to make travel a priority in their family's life...and for those who want to. Tune in each week to hear stories and advice from new traveling families, and hear how they've handled various family travel-related issues like education, socialization, working, budgeting, accommodation, road-parenting, safety, technology and more. We talk gear, websites, apps and other resources for traveling & nomadic families, and answer questions from those who would like to do something similar.