Two parents are letting their kids decide if they want to learn how to read and write
A British couple has opened up about how they are consciously 'unschooling' their three children and are giving them the power to choose when - or if - they learn to read and write.
In Matt and Adele Allen's Brighton home, it's their three children who rule the roost.
It's up to Ulysses, 12, Ostara, eight, and Kai, four, when or if they get an education.
Adele, 39, revealed that she and her husband believe in child autonomy, a parenting style that she reckons gives her kids a strong sense of self identity.
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She said Ulysses learned to read and write at 10.
"We don't use the education system. Instead, we unschool our kids," the stay-at-home mum said.
"We believe in child autonomy and enabling kids to take governance of their life, make their own choices, and decide what goes on in their life rather than dictating to them."
But, despite their free lifestyle, that doesn't mean the kids have no guidance from the adults in their lives.
"It's just about involving them in the decisions," Adele explained.
"The kids go to bed when they like, wake up when they like, as we don't like alarms, and we don't have set meal times."
She added: "We just make food when they're hungry, and as they get older they make themselves food."
Additionally, the kids don't have any chores or responsibilities to help around the house.
The stay-at-home mum then claimed she breastfed each of her children until the age of three in order to give them a 'good healthy foundation' for life.
But it hasn't all been smooth sailing.
The family often find themselves the subject of cruel comments, as people tend to confuse their approach with 'permissive parenting', where there are no boundaries or guidance at all.
"People have called us lazy, which just makes me laugh, because our parenting style is the opposite of lazy," she said.
"We are taking full responsibility for their development.
"People also think we are also being cruel to the kids because we don't use the healthcare system or believe in vaccinations."
Well, vaccinations did help us eradicate smallpox, so there is something to be said for that.
Anyway, Adele and her family intend to continue using the 'you do you' approach.
Let's just hope they don't all wind up illiterate, though.
Rachel Lang