Kids don't have to go to school

Did you know that? I mean have you ever even given it a thought?

If kids knew they didn't have to go to school that would sure ignite a fire under their parents.

Everyday there are numerous articles about schools. Failing students, shootings, bullying, poor test scores, no funding etc...

You can't fix this broken, outdated system with tests and money.

It's the kids with no voice, no choice, that are being harmed every day.

School is out today in observance of MLK Jr.'s birthday. I have 3 extra kids here today. Why are they here?

Because this is the house they want to be at. A place where they can be themselves and not be ruled, judged or disrespected.

My house is a safe haven, it always has been and always will be better than any school ever could be.

There are options and people need to look into them instead of settle for the status quo because today's youth are being damaged because of it.

I used to be...

So involved in unschooling discussions. I used to debate. I used to share my political views. I used to talk about parenting respectfully and I used to just be active online and in person. I used to promote my thoughts and opinions.

Then....peri-menopause hit me like a two ton heavy thing. Also life has thrown lots of punches in the last few years.

Now I'm just some crazy whacked out hormone imbalance that can't get it together anymore. My emotions are all over the map and I can't seem to pull myself together.

I used to be so strong and confident and determined. Now I feel weak and down. I don't want circumstances to beat me down. They are and I don't know how to stop them.

I don't know how to get out of this funk that I'm in.

Letting Go of School

                             

Letting go of school is a process that I believe is imperative to Unschooling successfully. When you start out homeschooling you go through a deschooling phase. This phase usually takes longer for parents because they have been indoctrinated longer than their children have.

If you have 12 plus years under your belt it may take you several months to deschool, maybe longer. Your children don’t have the luxury of waiting for you though. I recommend that you leave them out of it.

While you are detoxing from the system allow your child the same courtesy. If they have been in school or homeschooled they need to undo the damage of schooling.

 So many people try to unschool and then freak out and go back to math lessons or curriculum. Then they try again and keep failing. This can really confuse your child and it’s not good for you to panic about schoolish things.

School is artificial, Unschooling is natural, let it flow from one day to the next. Make one more connection, have one more moment without school. Pretty soon you won’t be thinking about grades or tests or lessons, just real life.

Education isn't about schooling at all; one is educated by learning what they need in this world. We all have different needs; we all have different abilities. That is why there are so many choices as to what one can do in life.

If you don’t completely deschool you will never fully unschool.

I’m not saying everyone can or should unschool. There are many people out there interested in Unschooling, curious as to what it’s all about. They try it on but never fully let go of school and just can’t seem to grasp it completely.

I may be in the minority but I believe that mass government compulsory schooling is doing so much harm to our youth. It makes no sense to attend an outdated institution for 12 years of your life. Being told what to do, what to think, what to believe, it leaves little for the imagination. We all know that textbooks are boring and full of mistakes and if you disagree with the teacher even if you’re right, you’re wrong. Being graded and tested is degrading to a child.

Learning is a natural thing but people have lost the ability because they have been taught that learning is a chore. It’s hard, boring and painful; it’s work, not fun.

This is of course not true but it’s what schooling will lead you to believe. Work hard, study hard, get good grades so you can grow up and join the rat race and celebrate mediocrity.

I say forget that! Venture out of the school box, let go of grades, tests, teaching, scopes, sequences, lessons, curriculum and textbooks. Let it go far away from your mind. Those things are not necessary for life learning.

Children who have never been schooled learn in a natural way. They know how to learn, they know how to think, they know how to get information.  Real learning, real education is about knowing how to obtain information.

Life...How it's been lately...

My friend said I should write about what is going on. I didn't think anyone would really want to know what's been going on but here goes...

 Things have been very tough. Three months ago my husband was let go of his job. He does own his own business and has been building it part time while working a full time job  for almost 2 years.  Just over two years ago he lost his job and was unemployed for 4 months. That was a very difficult time and I really didn't want to repeat it.

 Last year was a very prosperous year and he made more than he ever has, maybe not a lot for some people. Trust me the tax man took a big cut. We were blessed to be able to help many others in their time of need.

I really wonder why this happened again? Was I too comfortable? Was I spoiled with wine, chocolate and rock concerts? Too used to certain things because now we are going without things.

My attitude has been in a really bad place. In September he was hit, our van was totaled. We went through a 6 week ordeal dealing with bureaucratic bullshit. Long story short it was securing a loan so they paid off the loan and we have a broken van. I am not satisfied at all with this but I have tried to let it go. I admit that I still get pissed if I think about it. Things don't roll off me, they stick around until I'm good and ready to be done with them.

Times are very tough. Business is very slow. We get to where it seems something will happen then it is taken away. Doors keep closing and walls keep going up. I sure haven't seen one open after one closes, nothing to replace what was lost.


I hate all of the cliche's that you hear about going through trials. I have a hard time having faith or hope. I just don't have much evidence.

 I have been forcing myself to list the things I am thankful for everyday. I know it could be worse. I am thankful for many things but I am just so mad about so much also. I have to feel what I feel.

It really feels like so much is against us, the last 3 months have been very stressful. My body isn't doing well, my hormones and anxiety and blood pressure and stomach all need me to release the stress. I don't want to worry about the rent or the water etc.... I want to live.

I've been a   bit withdrawn and not being the best wife, mother and friend that I used to be or can be. My attitude has been sucking to say the least.

I'm trying to see the good and believe that it will be ok but it's really hard. I have no idea why this is happening or how we'll get through it. We got through it two years ago and I really thought that horrible time was over. We had a fresh start and now that is gone too.

There is something comical though. We were all used to having certain things and have had to go without or make substitutes. I bought generic cat food and the cats won't eat it. It's just funny to me that even the cats are pissed, you should see how they are acting.

The thing with these cats, they were strays that decided to stay here. They live outside because I'm allergic, I told them to go catch a mouse.

The kids are adjusting but I can see that some things are a bit hard for them. Mostly just adjusting to not having certain things or being able to go places. They do really well through this all though. I don't want them to see me being a negative bitch, I'm trying to keep it under raps. I'm trying to make the best of it, they are trying too.

Unconscious Mutterings week 460

1. Crushed ::smashed, squished, sad
2. Thanks ::I am trying to give thanks for what I have
3. Steam ::hot shower
4. Bulletin ::board, message
5. Budget ::Don't have one
6. Value ::cherish, worth
7. Aquarium ::fish
8. Logo ::letter, symbol, icon
9. Information ::internet
10. Lend ::a helping hand, an ear, money

Luna Nina

Good bye Honey

Honey was part of our family for three years. She fell sick yesterday and hung on
until about 2:40 am.

Cassie spent the day holding her and keeping her warm and comfortable. She lasted longer than we thought after the symptoms arrived. Cassie was very close to Honey and is very sad. This was our 5th guinea pig and we are taking a break for awhile. Cassie gets so attached and they just don't live very long.

Uninspired

I haven't blogged in awhile and I haven't written an article for An Unschooling Life since September.

Any thoughts, questions, ideas?

I need something to run with to get my head back in the game.

Too much stuff going on and I am completely uninspired...I got nothing...

Help?

Anyone?

Bueller?

Sleep?

This is just a little follow up that just happened right after my article was released.

We have been renting this house for 1 1/2 years and the owner decided he didn't want to own it anymore. Today it was auctioned off.

All week we have been cleaning and decluttering to prepare for the sale. We had to get up about 7:30 am to get ready by 9:00 when people would be allowed to walk through our house.

You know that out of the 6 of us only 2 do mornings well. We tried to go to bed earlier but it didn't work. I only slept from 3-6am, I just can't sleep when I know I have to get up early.

The kids only got a couple hours of sleep also. Everyone got up and got ready and had fun, well I wasn't having fun, I was miserable.

When the auction was over 2 kids napped, I laid down and went semi unconscious for an hour and the other 2 kids are doing fine.

I guess I'm just saying we got up, did what we had to do and moved on with our day.

This is an example of an outside force imposing on our natural sleep rhythms. It is difficult to go to sleep just because someone else deems it necessary. We had no say in the time of this auction and had to do our best to handle it.

As of now all of us have had a nap and some of us are really out of sorts. It will be nice to go to bed and wake up naturally.