Jared's opinion

We went to Publix last night and they were giving out balloons and candy.

On the way home Jared was reading the warning label on the balloon. It said "Choking Hazard, children 8 and under can choke or suffocate on balloons" Adult supervision needed etc...

Jared is 8, he was beside himself.
He said mom, that is stupid, kids my age and 6 or 7 should know better that to stick a balloon in their mouth.

He said that should be a warning for 3 and under.

He was insulted to say the least. He talked about it for a bit.

Unconscious Mutterings

1. Sarcasm ::  You talkin to me?
2. Coke :: have a coke and a smile
3. Frank :: Maier
4. Party :: Animal
5. Witches :: brooms
6. Intentional :: on purpose
7. Crisp :: and clean
8. Lockers :: eww...gym lockers...eww...school...
9. Walking :: around the block every day
10. Fundraiser :: begging for money

Luna Nina

Questions

Last night I had a quick conversation with a young man at the wine store. We have a bit of rapport, I've been going there for awhile now.

Over time it's just been quick hi, how ya doin stuff. I don't know what prompted it but last week I mentioned that I have 4 kids and homeschool. He only knew of my youngest son because he comes with me alot.

His mouth about dropped, he is 21, dang kid was born the year I graduated from high school.

So last night, he brought it up that I am the first person he knows that homeschools. He asked me why.

I did a quick, I'm against public school, the very nature of it to produce factory robots. I asked him if he knew the history of public school and why it was started, he didn't.

He liked school and he is a schedule type guy. I said you can still have a schedule and have some freedom. He was puzzled to say the least.

I said we aren't those strict curriculum types, we follow the interests and ability of the child. I said my kids are smart and it's not because of me, it's because they are free to learn in their own way and time. He mentioned that they must be curious, I said yes, very and google is our friend. I don't know everything but I know how to find out.

I mentioned with the library and the internet available, school is unnecessary.

I told him that I thought high school was a collosal waste of time and that little kids shouldn't be holed up in a classroom all day, they should be free.

We talked a little more, I don't remember everything, but he was definitely enlightened.

He really appreciated me talking to him, this is a totally new concept to him.

I thought it was great and it reignites my fire to plant seeds and share my views :)

Why?

Why do I focus so much energy on dissing the public school system?

Many of my posts here and on facebook are about the downfalls of school.

Why don't I just post happy unschooling stuff? Well I do but I am trying to plant seeds. So many people have never even questioned the institution. They just blindly and willingly send their kids there.

Of course I don't know if anyone reads here who isn't already homeschooling.

The system is broken, I don't think it's fixable. Sure we could improve it, I wrote about that recently.

I am just very passionate about unschooling and very passionately against compulsary schooling.

I just want to share my views and the realities speak for themselves. There is so much in the media about failing public schools.

It's a huge political agenda, politicians are clueless. They just think more money and more testing will fix it.

Getting rid of testing would be a huge step in the right direction.

I don't think it's a waste of my breath or that it takes away from unschooling.

Heck I just have to tell someone! ha ha!

Some people just don't get it

I'm not going to name names but sheesh! I guess the indoctrinated really don't know that they are indoctrinated.

The system sure works in that regard, it gets many to where they can't see learning or education without schooling.

To me school does not equal education. Schooling does more harm than good.

I am against compulsary schooling, the very nature of it's existence and it's purpose.

I realize I am in the minority, I have never been with the crowd. Always a non-conformist rebel.

It's how I roll.

Ask me anything, my answer may surprise you.

I don't apologize for being against school.

As a matter of fact, I think the world would be better off without it.

Things would be so different if parents actually raised their children and not the school system.

They would have to be resourceful and responsible

I had my kids on purpose, I don't believe that children are mistakes. I believe that people are irresponsible and having unprotected sex doesn't warrant you to be a parent.

Well that got off my  original thought but it's how I feel.

Rock Island

We took a day trip to Rock Island State Park yesterday. The weather was just beautiful, the scenery was gorgeous.

We had a picnic and then fished and explored a little.

The kids collected shells and rocks.

They found a millipede skin and a fish vertabrate.

They caught a few sunfish. They walked along the rocky shore just checking things out.

Definitely a great day!

Glad I live in modern times

I have always been thankful to live in the technological age, I like modern amenities and I also like the fact that women have a voice in their lives.

I realize some cultures still make women less than, there are still arranged marriages and such.

I just watched the movie The Duchess, with Kiera Knightly, based on a true story.

Whenever I see these movies based on true stories it really gets me in the gut.

What women had to endure. Everything was about class, and what family you came from. You weren't worthy if you were a mere peasant with no financial offerings.

Women were suppressed, controlled, raped, only worthy if they produced a male heir. They suffered greatly, it's tragic.

I am so glad to be able to voice my opinion, to vote, to have worth. I don't take free speech and freedom for granted!

We are having beautiful weather here, finally! 70's-80 in the day 40's at night. I went for a walk today, got the kids out on their bikes.

I love this weather, sunshine, slight breeze, I just soak it in, get lost in it. This is what I wait for.

We had the hottest summer ever, you know global warming and all
I'm serious I was bitchin!

So I plan to enjoy these wonderful temps and get some exercise in the process.

I told  the kids to come out with me today. We used to go out in the spring, then in the summer we went out at 10 o'clock at night. Then stuff happened and we didn't walk... I hate when stuff happens, it messes everything up.

It's time to make it a habit again. It's important to get sunshine. Since it was so damn hot we didn't go out much this summer.

I am vitamin D deficient and take a supplement, I may give the kids some  since they haven't gotten much the past few months.

I hope fall stays this beautiful before the cold winter hits.

I don't like hot and I don't like cold. I like it just right, like it is now!

Enjoy Life

I just want to enjoy my life!

That may sound so easy to some but for some reason it's not for me, I'm way to serious. I have always been caught up in what is wrong that I need to focus on what is right.

I have to stop dwelling and worrying, it's really ridiculous.

I'm not a pessimist but I'm sure not an optimist, I'm a realist.

Some people are so happy and joyful no matter what, I just want to feel a little of that.

I just need to refocus my thoughts.

I am happy, I guess I just don't show it.

I am so blessed, I have the best husband and children, I love them so much and am so thankful to spend every day with them.

That is all that matters in reality, everything else just needs to back off.

Part of this may be conditioning, my mom was pretty negative and always worrying, glass half empty, I grew up around that example. It was always scarcity, no abundance.

I want to focus on the little things everyday that are important.

Stop worrying about what is *wrong* with me and work on fixing it.

I am awake and alive, each day that I wake up is a good day.

So what if I'm tired?

 I just have to get up and go and stop bitchin about being tired.

school, bullies,choice

Today on facebook, a friend mentioned how she hated sending her child to school when she felt like she was walking into a lion's den.

I would not send my child to school ever but under these circumstances wouldn't you reconsider things?

Especially with all of the media coverage about bullying and suicides.

I just don't understand how you can set your child up for abuse. School is bad enough but add in bullies and the stress can be unbearable.

I know that everyone won't homeschool, can't for whatever reason, but many people can and choose not to.

I feel so bad for all of these kids being treated less than human, being abused, ridiculed and picked on.

For what?

Surly not an education. School has nothing to do with education. School is an outdated, obsolete institution that's sole purpose is to control the masses and babysit kids while their parents work or worse have *me time*

So yes, it's their choice to send their kids to school and it's my choice not to.

Do I agree?   Hell no.

Do I respect people who send their kids away?

What do you think?

Who Am I?

That's a good question. So many of us know who we are and others are trying to figure out who they are.

I know what I like and what I don't like but I don't think that defines who I am at my very core, my inner self, the one that I kept buried for so long. Well I'm coming back around, I don't know why I got so quiet and sheltered my thoughts and opinions.

I have to be me even if it offends you.

It's not my intention to offend but I really am sick of being quiet. Yes something happened today to cause me to say that, that will be a separate post.

I  am opinionated, I'm extreme, I tend to be an all or nothing personality, it's hard to do baby steps and moderation, it's just not natural to me.

When asked a question I give the answer based on my extreme views of things...

 School...you will get an earful, everything I talk about ends up back to public school being the root cause of the issue.

 It's kind of funny but it's true.

Unconscious Mutterings

1. Intruder :: Alert!
2. Repelled :: grossed out!
3. Trench coat :: flasher
4. Lipstick :: The familiar taste of poison
5. Humongous :: Elephant
6. Oven mitts :: hot pads
7. Case :: just in case
8. Daughter :: Cassie
9. Attorney :: The Defenders
10. Shaken :: but not stirred

Luna Nina