Thursday, May 21, 2009

Unschool article/chores

My friend Joanne posted an unschooling article and it was a good piece but one thing stood out to both of us.

The kids had required chores every morning before they could get on with their day.

I know some people just unschool academics which really makes no sense to me.

We live and learn.

We don't have arbitrary rules and chores.

Here's my take on it.

If someone required me to do x,y and z before I could get on the computer I would be mad to say the least.

I get up and I check my email while I have my coffee. My friends live in my computer, I love my computer.

I have grown close to many people and we keep up with each other daily. If I don't hear from someone in a couple days, I'll email them and make sure they are ok.

Our kids have a life too.
It could be their video game, or tv show, or they want to go outside, or play with a friend or whatever they like to do when they get up.

Nobody should be *required* to do anything upon waking.

What a way to start each day, dreading a chore or moping around because you HAVE to do something before you can get on with your life.

I'll do the dishes and laundry when I am ready, it could be 3pm or 10pm, does it really matter? Is there some law that says dishes shall be done before playing?

Heck, now if it's nice out I get my butt outside for fresh air and sunshine, dishes can wait.

I wasn't always this easy, I am a compulsive, control freak, I used to clean before going out. I used to make sure all the dishes were done before I went to bed. Who wants to wake up to a sink full?

Life has it's way of happening and I have been on crutches for 6 weeks. My kids have been doing the dishes. Dishes aren't that high on a kids priority list until there aren't any clean ones and they want a bowl of cereal. Then they wash a bowl and spoon so they can eat, they they think hey maybe it's time to wash some dishes.

I'm not saying let things go and pile up, I'm just saying change your perspective and don't let household tasks take over your life.

I personally don't mind dishes or cleaning in general but I have learned to let go and just go with the flow.

Back to kids and chores.

I just don't believe in assigning chores to kids or adults.

We live together, we work together, let's just do what needs to be done.

3 comments:

unschoolermom said...

I get in my moods. There are some days, as much as I hate to say this, that I make Taliesin and Nathanael pick up their toys. Usually, they're good about doing it anyway. And on days that they do not, I usually do not stress too much about it. But I do get in my moods. I, personally, have things that I need to get done in the mornings - dishes, the kitchen floor, and vacumming are my biggies. Those I do on my own (or my husband usually does the dishes, honestly). But the house looks so much nicer with those done. Here lately, Taliesin volunteers to vacuum for me, and then Nathanael wants to vacuum a room, too. LOL. It is so much better to let them do things on their own rather than forcing them to!

Kandy

WomanHonorThyself said...

BLESSED Memorial day my friend!

Andrea said...

Oh, I love reading other unschooler blogs where I can just feel at peace with what is being said instead of keeping my mouth shut while someone rambles on about all the chores etc, their kids had to do before they get their one hour of computer/video time for the day! Thanks for reminding me that I am not alone out here!!! Man, am I ready for the neighbors to go back to school in the morning!