I never planned to be a homeschooler, but circumstances conspired to lead me down this path, so I decided that if I was going to homeschool my kids, I was going to do it right. I had to make a plan and stick to it. Wading out into uncharted waters alone, I chose my curriculum, scheduled our weeks and set out on a course to homeschooling success. But the planner I clung to like a life preserver started to fail when, just weeks into our first semester, life got stormy and threw off all my careful designs. I was in over my head and sinking fast as I realized I needed a new plan. One that didn't involve an overly complicated planner filled out weeks ahead of time in ink. As I adjusted to life as a homeschooler, I came to accept that flexibility would be the key to our family's success. My kids learned best when I adapted my style to their needs and worked with the ebb and flow of their natural rhythms. This book is an account of my journey from a stressed out, overly-planned, unhappy homeschooler to the flexible and relaxed educator I am today. Well, most days anyway. I've learned to embrace the unexpected, to grab learning opportunities when they come our way and to remember that even the best laid plans are just a rough draft when you're dealing with kids. I am the Unplanned Homeschooler, and I am disorganized and perpetually running late. But I am totally successful when it comes to teaching my kids. I've managed to let go of the planner and happily enjoy life and learning on the go.