Gemma and Lewis Rawnsley live in northern England with seven children and follow “less than orthodox” parenting methods. Recently, they became the subject of a documentary along with two other families who consider themselves “extreme unschoolers”.

At the time of the documentary, Skye was 13, Finlay was 12, Phoenix was 9, Pearl was 8, Hunter was 5, Zephyr was 3, and Woolf was one year old.

The Rawnsley kids don’t attend school and aren’t homeschooled. Gemma and Lewis simply do not believe that their children should be subjected to adult-made regulations.

Instead, these “feral” children are allowed to make their own choices. They decide how they want to dress, eat, participate in daily activities, and go to bed.

Gemma claims that she does not want her children to grow up too rapidly. The 35-year-old mother wants her seven children to enjoy being children as much as possible, which means she won’t put limits for them.

Her children are free to swear, dye and cut their own hair, acquire tattoos and piercings, and engage in a variety of other “adult” activities.

One child may be wielding an axe outside, while another may be cutting their own hair or eating ice cream straight from the box. It’s not uncommon for the Rawnsley children to do things that other parents would frown upon.

Gemma is aware that some people believe her family is “feral,” but she disagrees.

She explains, “It’s about letting them make decisions, it’s not a feckless attitude where we sit back and let it all happen. It looks like we’re feral, but that’s just one side of us. Feral is left to your own devices, but these kids are brought up to the nth degree.”

“I didn’t have a stable upbringing,” explains Gemma. “My mission has been about helping my kids have the most interesting, fun and happy lives in a house filled with the love I never had.”

Gemma grew up in a loveless, violent environment and wanted her children to have an entirely different experience.

Now, Gemma and Lewis are raising their children with one goal in mind: to help them have lives that are interesting, pleasant, fun, and satisfying.

Gemma only enforces three rules – don’t lie, don’t be offensive, and don’t hurt anyone.

Although some may find it strange, Gemma claims that they receive several compliments on their children’s behavior.

Learn more about the Rawnsley family and other “unschoolers” in the video below.