This is for Unschooling Voices issue 11
Unschooling through the ages: How, if at all, does unschooling look different as your child ages and grows. Is it different now than it was a few years back? What role does age play in unschooling?
I have been thinking about this probably a little too hard which makes it more difficult to articulate.
I have 4 kids, ages 12 1/2, 9 1/2, 8 and 5 1/2.
We have been living and learning without the confines of school since birth.
I actually find that with the younger kids my role is more hands on, there is a constant question and answer dialogue going on. They need more undivided attention, which is hard to do with 4 kids anyway. I have just found a way to be with all of them at various times and helping them with whatever it is they need. With different ages they are all into different things, their interests vary but rarely are they all interested in the same thing at the same time.
As they grow they are more independent learners. My oldest just does the research himself and rarely asks me for help. He will still come to me on occasion but not like when he was younger. I believe it's because he knows how to learn and how to think because it's been fostered in him and nothing has been force fed. He doesn't look to me to tell him what to do he looks to me for support and guidance .
My middle children are right in between these two with doing things independently and asking me how and for help as needed.
It will be interesting to see how they continue to learn and develop as they reach the teen years, which isn't far off for my oldest.
My role as facilitator is to observe my children, to know when to step in and when to stay out of their way. I do not want to hinder the learning process, I want to nurture it and watch it flourish.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Images of me
I saw this meme at Zenmommas but I had some technical difficulty and today saw it at Deanne's blog, she helped me out. The idea is to type in your answer to the questions into google search and pick an image from the first page.
1. Age at your next birthday: 37
2. Places I'd like to travel: Tuscany Italy
3. Favorite place to be: bathtub
4. Favorite object: computer
5. Favorite food: organic dark chocolate
6. Favorite animal: Elephant
7. Favorite color: red
8. nicknames: Stephie, Robin I have so many I picked two
9. Town where I was born: Lewiston, NY, this is Artpark a place I remember going to as a child
Sorry about the double photo, I'm still technologically a newbie :)
10. A bad habit I have ... I finish people's sentences
Tag your it! Have fun :)
1. Age at your next birthday: 37
2. Places I'd like to travel: Tuscany Italy
3. Favorite place to be: bathtub
4. Favorite object: computer
5. Favorite food: organic dark chocolate
6. Favorite animal: Elephant
7. Favorite color: red
8. nicknames: Stephie, Robin I have so many I picked two
9. Town where I was born: Lewiston, NY, this is Artpark a place I remember going to as a child
Sorry about the double photo, I'm still technologically a newbie :)
10. A bad habit I have ... I finish people's sentences
Tag your it! Have fun :)
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Cutting the cord
When I became a mom 12 1/2 years ago, I couldn't imagine leaving my baby with anyone. I couldn't even put him in another room to sleep, so he slept with me. Now that also spiraled into all of the babies sleeping with us, it has been a wonderful experience of bonding with babies.
I could literally count the amount of times that I have left my kids with someone in the past 12 years, so that should tell you it isn't a high number.
I never understood how some parents just handed them off to someone else. You could say it's the same way that I do not understand how parents send their kids to school. Personally I did not have kids to send them away to be raised by someone else. If I wasn't going to do it then I would not have had kids. That sounds harsh, I know and it's the truth. I'm talking about my intentions before I became a parent. I'm not talking about some life circumstances that may cause you to do something different for a period of time.
I'm swaying.... the point of this post is about how attached my kids were to me. When Brenny was younger he never left my side wherever we went, I used to joke a bit about him not cutting the cord yet.
The older kids are fine without me now, they can go to a friend's house or go do something with a friend without me present. Cassie goes to Brownies , my friend takes her because I don't have a car right now, she does great and has fun.
Jared is my purpose for these thoughts, he is almost 5 1/2 and I can not leave his sight. He has to go everywhere with me, I have not gone to the store by myself in a looong time.
He is constantly talking to me and asking me questions, it's a little hard at times when my attention needs to go elsewhere.
I can hardly take a shower without his approval, I mean he has to have milk, and then he is hungry and then he wants a toy... It's like he is afraid I'll be gone a while and wants to get everything he thinks he'll need. I'm not really sure but I do know the he would never let me drop him off somewhere. I can't even leave him with Jason while I go shopping, no way no how, one day last year I tried it and Jason said he was running down the street after me. Oh my gosh, I just have to wait until he is ready. He has stayed in the *baby stage* longer than the rest and I believe it's because there aren't any more babies after him.
Imaging the sheer terror he would experience if I sent him to daycare or school. I just can't get over the damage that would cause, you see those little ones screaming all day for their mommy, they feel abandoned for sure.
I suppose what I did/do is called attachment parenting, I always called it common sense before I heard the term. I do definitely see detachment parenting so I suppose the term makes sense.
So listen to those babies, feed them when they are hungry, hold them as much as possible, sleep with them, talk with them, play with them,enjoy them, they grow up way TOO fast!
If you lay the foundation of trust and respect it fosters a good relationship with them as they grow.
I could literally count the amount of times that I have left my kids with someone in the past 12 years, so that should tell you it isn't a high number.
I never understood how some parents just handed them off to someone else. You could say it's the same way that I do not understand how parents send their kids to school. Personally I did not have kids to send them away to be raised by someone else. If I wasn't going to do it then I would not have had kids. That sounds harsh, I know and it's the truth. I'm talking about my intentions before I became a parent. I'm not talking about some life circumstances that may cause you to do something different for a period of time.
I'm swaying.... the point of this post is about how attached my kids were to me. When Brenny was younger he never left my side wherever we went, I used to joke a bit about him not cutting the cord yet.
The older kids are fine without me now, they can go to a friend's house or go do something with a friend without me present. Cassie goes to Brownies , my friend takes her because I don't have a car right now, she does great and has fun.
Jared is my purpose for these thoughts, he is almost 5 1/2 and I can not leave his sight. He has to go everywhere with me, I have not gone to the store by myself in a looong time.
He is constantly talking to me and asking me questions, it's a little hard at times when my attention needs to go elsewhere.
I can hardly take a shower without his approval, I mean he has to have milk, and then he is hungry and then he wants a toy... It's like he is afraid I'll be gone a while and wants to get everything he thinks he'll need. I'm not really sure but I do know the he would never let me drop him off somewhere. I can't even leave him with Jason while I go shopping, no way no how, one day last year I tried it and Jason said he was running down the street after me. Oh my gosh, I just have to wait until he is ready. He has stayed in the *baby stage* longer than the rest and I believe it's because there aren't any more babies after him.
Imaging the sheer terror he would experience if I sent him to daycare or school. I just can't get over the damage that would cause, you see those little ones screaming all day for their mommy, they feel abandoned for sure.
I suppose what I did/do is called attachment parenting, I always called it common sense before I heard the term. I do definitely see detachment parenting so I suppose the term makes sense.
So listen to those babies, feed them when they are hungry, hold them as much as possible, sleep with them, talk with them, play with them,enjoy them, they grow up way TOO fast!
If you lay the foundation of trust and respect it fosters a good relationship with them as they grow.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Why?
We need to examine why we say what we say especially to our children.
Why is our first reaction, no.
When the child wants to do something messy like play-doh, painting, crafts, putting barbies in the sink full of water, playing in the mud and on and on.
I realize that it's the process that is important and to look beyond the result which is usually a mess.
There is a little girl who comes here often and each time she is here she wants to paint or play with play-doh. Last time she did that plus got out the puzzles, she left quite a mess for me...
I have a feeling that she isn't allowed to do that stuff at home.
Why are so many afraid of letting kids play and be kids? That includes playing in the rain and the mud. Guess what? Kids and clothes are washable, no really they are.
Sometimes I get that first reaction of not wanting my kid to do something because I may not be in the mood but I get over it when I see the fun they are having.
Traditional parenting rears it's ugly head in so many homes, so many kids aren't allowed to play in the rain, or play in the sink or paint or create and just be a kid.
Why can't they have a cookie BEFORE dinner?
Who made that a law?
Why do they have to go to bed at 9:00pm even if they aren't tired? My mother has told me time and again that she had to go to bed at 7:00pm each night. PHOOEY!!!!
I vow that my kids CAN be kids, they can play and laugh and create and get wet and muddy and imagine all they want.
Loosen up just a little and when your kids cover the kitchen in flour or come in covered in mud from head to toe, take a picture :)
Have fun with them and watching them, let your kids have fun!
Why is our first reaction, no.
When the child wants to do something messy like play-doh, painting, crafts, putting barbies in the sink full of water, playing in the mud and on and on.
I realize that it's the process that is important and to look beyond the result which is usually a mess.
There is a little girl who comes here often and each time she is here she wants to paint or play with play-doh. Last time she did that plus got out the puzzles, she left quite a mess for me...
I have a feeling that she isn't allowed to do that stuff at home.
Why are so many afraid of letting kids play and be kids? That includes playing in the rain and the mud. Guess what? Kids and clothes are washable, no really they are.
Sometimes I get that first reaction of not wanting my kid to do something because I may not be in the mood but I get over it when I see the fun they are having.
Traditional parenting rears it's ugly head in so many homes, so many kids aren't allowed to play in the rain, or play in the sink or paint or create and just be a kid.
Why can't they have a cookie BEFORE dinner?
Who made that a law?
Why do they have to go to bed at 9:00pm even if they aren't tired? My mother has told me time and again that she had to go to bed at 7:00pm each night. PHOOEY!!!!
I vow that my kids CAN be kids, they can play and laugh and create and get wet and muddy and imagine all they want.
Loosen up just a little and when your kids cover the kitchen in flour or come in covered in mud from head to toe, take a picture :)
Have fun with them and watching them, let your kids have fun!
Monday, November 26, 2007
No bedtimes!?
This is always a hot topic, not as hot as video games but popular nonetheless.
It has been brought up twice this week on christian unschooling basics, I did reply once but I find I'm much better at blogging because then it's not personal, it's just my opinion, my perspective, my experience.
Technically my kids have never had bedtimes, I breastfed and co-slept and moved them on to their own bed when the next baby came. We just slept when we were tired, while nursing or whatever. I am a night person I always have been, my kids are pretty much night people but my oldest is a little earlier than the rest.
We did have a period of time when our routine would end up sending the big boys to bed around 10pm, we never thought anything of it. One day Kieran asked me why he had to go to bed but his little sister didn't. Light bulb moment! She just naturally was running around at midnight :)
I had already been on unschooling groups and read many posts and said well you don't HAVE TO go bed if you aren't ready.
At first they pushed themselves, later and later each night, Jason did get a little annoyed, but I asked him to trust the process. I am blessed with a husband who trusts me and gives me lots of leeway with the kids.
They ended up tapering off after several weeks and started to go to bed anywhere between 10pm and 1am. Cassie and Jared were still up later but the difference was they decided when to go to bed, not me.
Although now my kids are up half the night, it ebbs and flows and times do vary but now it's more like between 1 and 4 am but they are older now, 12,9,8,5.
They go to bed when they are ready plain and simple.
My husband has to get up at 6am to go to work, he goes to bed anywhere from 10pm to 1am usually an average is midnight. The kids know that whenever daddy goes to bed it's quiet time, sometimes they get too loud but most of the time they do pretty good.
We don't believe that everyone should go to sleep and wake up at the same time, nor be hungry at the same time nor go to the bathroom at the same time, see where I'm going?
We all have our own schedules and routines and nobody should make us something we're not.
My husband has no problem getting up in the morning, I do, I am physically unable to get up in the morning but when I did work I worked swing shift.
Don't let any naysayer tell you that your kids will never learn how to get up and go to work, that's a bunch of BS. If they don't do mornings who the hell cares the world revolves around a 24 hour time period each day, thank God for that. I spent my years getting up early and being miserable, I was exhausted and suffered migraines. Just because I had to go to bed did not mean I went to sleep and then I had to get up for school, oh the absolute misery.
I will not make my kids go to bed or make them get up for anything, especially school. If we learn to listen to our bodies and find the natural rhythm early on we will be so much better off in the long run.
This is not say they they don't get up to go places that they WANT to go because they do. The point is thay are in control of their own bodies, they know when they are tired.
If you are just lifting a restriction, I would do it gradually, a little more yeses each night until they are the ones putting themselves to bed. My kids tell me they are going to bed.
I realize that many people will never do what I do, I mean the whole damn package, it's not easy to get over the engrained shit BUT it is so worth it. Let go, move on, embrace your life right this moment and don't listen to people who tell you it can't be done.
"In a nutshell, people whose lives are hard, boring, painful, meaningless—people who suffer—tend to resent those who seem to suffer less than they do, and will make them suffer if they can. People who feel themselves in chains, with no hope of ever getting them off, want to put chains on everyone else." —John Holt, Teach Your Own, Introduction.
It has been brought up twice this week on christian unschooling basics, I did reply once but I find I'm much better at blogging because then it's not personal, it's just my opinion, my perspective, my experience.
Technically my kids have never had bedtimes, I breastfed and co-slept and moved them on to their own bed when the next baby came. We just slept when we were tired, while nursing or whatever. I am a night person I always have been, my kids are pretty much night people but my oldest is a little earlier than the rest.
We did have a period of time when our routine would end up sending the big boys to bed around 10pm, we never thought anything of it. One day Kieran asked me why he had to go to bed but his little sister didn't. Light bulb moment! She just naturally was running around at midnight :)
I had already been on unschooling groups and read many posts and said well you don't HAVE TO go bed if you aren't ready.
At first they pushed themselves, later and later each night, Jason did get a little annoyed, but I asked him to trust the process. I am blessed with a husband who trusts me and gives me lots of leeway with the kids.
They ended up tapering off after several weeks and started to go to bed anywhere between 10pm and 1am. Cassie and Jared were still up later but the difference was they decided when to go to bed, not me.
Although now my kids are up half the night, it ebbs and flows and times do vary but now it's more like between 1 and 4 am but they are older now, 12,9,8,5.
They go to bed when they are ready plain and simple.
My husband has to get up at 6am to go to work, he goes to bed anywhere from 10pm to 1am usually an average is midnight. The kids know that whenever daddy goes to bed it's quiet time, sometimes they get too loud but most of the time they do pretty good.
We don't believe that everyone should go to sleep and wake up at the same time, nor be hungry at the same time nor go to the bathroom at the same time, see where I'm going?
We all have our own schedules and routines and nobody should make us something we're not.
My husband has no problem getting up in the morning, I do, I am physically unable to get up in the morning but when I did work I worked swing shift.
Don't let any naysayer tell you that your kids will never learn how to get up and go to work, that's a bunch of BS. If they don't do mornings who the hell cares the world revolves around a 24 hour time period each day, thank God for that. I spent my years getting up early and being miserable, I was exhausted and suffered migraines. Just because I had to go to bed did not mean I went to sleep and then I had to get up for school, oh the absolute misery.
I will not make my kids go to bed or make them get up for anything, especially school. If we learn to listen to our bodies and find the natural rhythm early on we will be so much better off in the long run.
This is not say they they don't get up to go places that they WANT to go because they do. The point is thay are in control of their own bodies, they know when they are tired.
If you are just lifting a restriction, I would do it gradually, a little more yeses each night until they are the ones putting themselves to bed. My kids tell me they are going to bed.
I realize that many people will never do what I do, I mean the whole damn package, it's not easy to get over the engrained shit BUT it is so worth it. Let go, move on, embrace your life right this moment and don't listen to people who tell you it can't be done.
"In a nutshell, people whose lives are hard, boring, painful, meaningless—people who suffer—tend to resent those who seem to suffer less than they do, and will make them suffer if they can. People who feel themselves in chains, with no hope of ever getting them off, want to put chains on everyone else." —John Holt, Teach Your Own, Introduction.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Everyday Blessings
You know how some daily household tasks can seem dull and routine, or even dreaded by some. I usually don't mind normal cleaning but some days I feel overwhelmed.
I was just thinking of turning it around and looking at the positive side. I'm sure others have done this but I have never really put it into words, I think about it a lot though.
That neverending pile of laundry means we have clothes to wear.
The stack of dirty dishes means we have food to eat.
The endless stream of toys, games, books, stuffed animals crayons and papers etc. means that my kids are blessed with a variety of things to do and the imagination to go along with it.
The various stages of repair means that we are blessed to have a home and I am thankful to have a husband who can fix it.
Just because my toilet is on the back deck doesn't mean it will be forever, it's just great that we have 2 bathrooms :)
With it being a time of year that we ponder what we are thankful for it helps to just see the little blessings in everyday things.
Enjoy your blessings today!
I was just thinking of turning it around and looking at the positive side. I'm sure others have done this but I have never really put it into words, I think about it a lot though.
That neverending pile of laundry means we have clothes to wear.
The stack of dirty dishes means we have food to eat.
The endless stream of toys, games, books, stuffed animals crayons and papers etc. means that my kids are blessed with a variety of things to do and the imagination to go along with it.
The various stages of repair means that we are blessed to have a home and I am thankful to have a husband who can fix it.
Just because my toilet is on the back deck doesn't mean it will be forever, it's just great that we have 2 bathrooms :)
With it being a time of year that we ponder what we are thankful for it helps to just see the little blessings in everyday things.
Enjoy your blessings today!
Friday, November 23, 2007
Facilitate
fa·cil·i·tate /fəˈsɪlɪˌteɪt/
[fuh-sil-i-teyt] Pronunciation Key -
–verb (used with object), -tat·ed, -tat·ing.
1.
to make easier or less difficult; help forward (an action, a process, etc.): Careful planning facilitates any kind of work.
2.
to assist the progress of (a person).
[Origin: 1605–15; facilit(y) + -ate1]
I figured I should define this too, LOL!
I really like the 2nd definition and that is what I am doing with my kids, assisting the progress and the process.
Happy facilitating!
[fuh-sil-i-teyt] Pronunciation Key -
–verb (used with object), -tat·ed, -tat·ing.
1.
to make easier or less difficult; help forward (an action, a process, etc.): Careful planning facilitates any kind of work.
2.
to assist the progress of (a person).
[Origin: 1605–15; facilit(y) + -ate1]
I figured I should define this too, LOL!
I really like the 2nd definition and that is what I am doing with my kids, assisting the progress and the process.
Happy facilitating!
If you can read this...
Jason saw a bumper sticker that said, "If you can read this, thank a teacher"
BWHAAAAA!!!!!!!
I'm not knocking teachers as people I have a menagerie of them in my family.
I do not really believe that one teaches one to read. You can do many things to help someone learn to read but the learner has to be ready. AS with anything in this world, the learner has to be ready, willing, able and interested, learning comes from within.
teach
verb, taught, teach·ing, noun
–verb (used with object)
1.
to impart knowledge of or skill in; give instruction in: She teaches mathematics.
2.
to impart knowledge or skill to; give instruction to: He teaches a large class. –verb (used without object)
3.
to impart knowledge or skill; give instruction. –noun
4.
Informal. teacher.
—Synonyms 1–3. coach. 2, 3. inform, enlighten, discipline, drill, school, indoctrinate.
See my difficulty with the word?? INDOCTRINATE! whoa.....
im·part
–verb (used with object)
1.
to make known; tell; relate; disclose: to impart a secret.
2.
to give; bestow; communicate: to impart knowledge.
3.
to grant a part or share of. –verb (used without object)
4.
to grant a part or share; give.
You can say it's just semantics but I believe it is so much more, it's a belief system, an opinion, an understanding, how we use words is very important.
http://sandradodd.com/teaching/
If teaching is external than a teacher is only as good as the learner is ready. All of my kids read at various ages, levels and abilities, as they do with everything because they are INDIVIDUALS. I can't take credit for teaching them, I do facilitate, I answer questions, I live by example, I can read!
Who taught me? I'm pretty sure I was born an autodidact, it makes sense... I could read BEFORE I went to school, my little brother read at age 4. I only remember this because my parents separated and he couldn't go to PS because of his birthday. So mom enrolled him in private school and they tested him. I don't give a rip about the tests but it showed that he was far above *level*, so was I. Schooling really sucked the natural ability and desire right out of us.
I'm not a teacher, I don't want to be one, I'm the facilitator, the helper, the mentor, the guide, the how do you spell, what does this say, mom play with me, let's make cookies, go for a walk, read a book, what's this plus that, endless question answerer... not a teacher.
BWHAAAAA!!!!!!!
I'm not knocking teachers as people I have a menagerie of them in my family.
I do not really believe that one teaches one to read. You can do many things to help someone learn to read but the learner has to be ready. AS with anything in this world, the learner has to be ready, willing, able and interested, learning comes from within.
teach
verb, taught, teach·ing, noun
–verb (used with object)
1.
to impart knowledge of or skill in; give instruction in: She teaches mathematics.
2.
to impart knowledge or skill to; give instruction to: He teaches a large class. –verb (used without object)
3.
to impart knowledge or skill; give instruction. –noun
4.
Informal. teacher.
—Synonyms 1–3. coach. 2, 3. inform, enlighten, discipline, drill, school, indoctrinate.
See my difficulty with the word?? INDOCTRINATE! whoa.....
im·part
–verb (used with object)
1.
to make known; tell; relate; disclose: to impart a secret.
2.
to give; bestow; communicate: to impart knowledge.
3.
to grant a part or share of. –verb (used without object)
4.
to grant a part or share; give.
You can say it's just semantics but I believe it is so much more, it's a belief system, an opinion, an understanding, how we use words is very important.
http://sandradodd.com/teaching/
If teaching is external than a teacher is only as good as the learner is ready. All of my kids read at various ages, levels and abilities, as they do with everything because they are INDIVIDUALS. I can't take credit for teaching them, I do facilitate, I answer questions, I live by example, I can read!
Who taught me? I'm pretty sure I was born an autodidact, it makes sense... I could read BEFORE I went to school, my little brother read at age 4. I only remember this because my parents separated and he couldn't go to PS because of his birthday. So mom enrolled him in private school and they tested him. I don't give a rip about the tests but it showed that he was far above *level*, so was I. Schooling really sucked the natural ability and desire right out of us.
I'm not a teacher, I don't want to be one, I'm the facilitator, the helper, the mentor, the guide, the how do you spell, what does this say, mom play with me, let's make cookies, go for a walk, read a book, what's this plus that, endless question answerer... not a teacher.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Happy Thanksgiving
Awesome apple pie.
Kids in the kitchen.
Just about ready to eat.
After dinner the kids were playing with left over dough and it escalated quickly. Cassie is covered in flour, Brennan was too he looked wicked cool and I thought Kieran got a pic but he didn't, oh well. There was flour everywhere...
Jared helped to clean up.Happy Thanksgiving to all my blogger buds!
I hope everyone had a wonderful day filled with blessings.
We stayed home and had dinner with ourselves, this is the first time in 5 years, we used to go to our families in NY. Last year we went to our friends so it was nice to stay home but different too.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Awesome pie crust
I know I never post recipes, LOL! This is for Jewls or anyone interested.
Ingredients are key, many recipes call for butter, some use shortening like Crisco(yikes partially hydrogenated oil)
The best shortening I have found to use is Spectrum
Since we have used this we make the best cookies and pie crust, try it you'll see.
2 cups flour
1 cup Spectrum
1 tsp. salt
1/3 cup of milk plus add 1 tablespoon of vinegar to milk
Yield one double crust pie or 2 single crust pies.
Mix salt and flour.
Add shortening and mix with fork until crumbly.
Add the milk, a little at a time, pushing the dough to one side of
the bowl while adding the milk, Do NOT mix.
Form into two balls and set aside.
Roll the ball between two pieces of plastic wrap. Flour the bottom before placing the dough on it, then slightly flatten with your hand and add flour to the top of the dough before placing the other piece of plastic wrap on top.
Roll out.
Peel off top layer of plastic wrap.
Place in 9 in pie plate and peel off the other layer.
Ingredients are key, many recipes call for butter, some use shortening like Crisco(yikes partially hydrogenated oil)
The best shortening I have found to use is Spectrum
Since we have used this we make the best cookies and pie crust, try it you'll see.
2 cups flour
1 cup Spectrum
1 tsp. salt
1/3 cup of milk plus add 1 tablespoon of vinegar to milk
Yield one double crust pie or 2 single crust pies.
Mix salt and flour.
Add shortening and mix with fork until crumbly.
Add the milk, a little at a time, pushing the dough to one side of
the bowl while adding the milk, Do NOT mix.
Form into two balls and set aside.
Roll the ball between two pieces of plastic wrap. Flour the bottom before placing the dough on it, then slightly flatten with your hand and add flour to the top of the dough before placing the other piece of plastic wrap on top.
Roll out.
Peel off top layer of plastic wrap.
Place in 9 in pie plate and peel off the other layer.
Stick removal service
Jewls and I are on a mission :)
I have had a cranky day and I still have a few splinters that need to be removed.
Jason asked me what was up and I said I don't know I'm cranky, he said *well get a hold of yourself will ya* I said I'm trying but I don't know where to grab :)
I guess it's mid-cycle mayham or something. The messy house has been bothering me, the trip to the grocery store bothered me, it seems like the kids aren't listening. It seems like I'm just not getting what I want so I'm not being nice.
So earlier I was getting flustered and I said ok, you tell me what I'm going to say because I don't feel like saying it again. Kieran was on the computer and he looks at me and says *what* He wasn't paying attention to anything going on.
Cassie and Brenny started listing stuff like:
It's time to be quiet because daddy is sleeping.
Clean up the mess
be nice
get along
be quiet
help each other
I don't remember everything but it was good, so I told them to listen to themselves.
Just because I am having an issue I have to remember to step back, breathe, relax, listen to the kids, and work on getting the rest of that stick removed...
I have had a cranky day and I still have a few splinters that need to be removed.
Jason asked me what was up and I said I don't know I'm cranky, he said *well get a hold of yourself will ya* I said I'm trying but I don't know where to grab :)
I guess it's mid-cycle mayham or something. The messy house has been bothering me, the trip to the grocery store bothered me, it seems like the kids aren't listening. It seems like I'm just not getting what I want so I'm not being nice.
So earlier I was getting flustered and I said ok, you tell me what I'm going to say because I don't feel like saying it again. Kieran was on the computer and he looks at me and says *what* He wasn't paying attention to anything going on.
Cassie and Brenny started listing stuff like:
It's time to be quiet because daddy is sleeping.
Clean up the mess
be nice
get along
be quiet
help each other
I don't remember everything but it was good, so I told them to listen to themselves.
Just because I am having an issue I have to remember to step back, breathe, relax, listen to the kids, and work on getting the rest of that stick removed...
Reformation
I'm not on a crusade or trying to take over the world...yet, LOL!
Just a few thoughts...
As long as *we the people* allow the government, or an authority figure, or leader or anyone control us the state of affairs will not improve.
They have to control the masses the sooner they gain control the better. The state wants your kids, they think they own them, they want them as young as possible. They can't be bothered with feeding, diapering and being up all night but as soon as the child is past that, say ages 3, 4 or 5 that is when they want them.
Have to get that mind control as young as possible, tell them what to do, what to think, how to dress, what to eat, when to go to the bathroom and on and on and on...
All throughout history there have been the non-conformists, those that disagree with the masses, those that CAN and DO think for themselves. The rebels, the revolters, the reformers, the grass roots organizations...
I know there are groups of people that are out to hurt others, I'm not talking about terrorists or cults, I'm talking about the good ones, the ones that help change laws and help people see the light.
Unschooling reformation: shifting paradigms, one mind at a time.
Just a few thoughts...
As long as *we the people* allow the government, or an authority figure, or leader or anyone control us the state of affairs will not improve.
They have to control the masses the sooner they gain control the better. The state wants your kids, they think they own them, they want them as young as possible. They can't be bothered with feeding, diapering and being up all night but as soon as the child is past that, say ages 3, 4 or 5 that is when they want them.
Have to get that mind control as young as possible, tell them what to do, what to think, how to dress, what to eat, when to go to the bathroom and on and on and on...
All throughout history there have been the non-conformists, those that disagree with the masses, those that CAN and DO think for themselves. The rebels, the revolters, the reformers, the grass roots organizations...
I know there are groups of people that are out to hurt others, I'm not talking about terrorists or cults, I'm talking about the good ones, the ones that help change laws and help people see the light.
Unschooling reformation: shifting paradigms, one mind at a time.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
New Cavy Friends
Makes for happy kids :)Those of you who read here know that our guinea pig died 2 months ago. We have been looking and looking for another, they aren't that easy to come by.
Cassie misses Caramel and talks about her often, these are not to replace her but just to have another pet to love.
The big one is Boomer and the little one is Petey.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Don't cry over spilled milk
Need I say more????
Of course I will :) Actually Jared and Brennan did it too but they finished and Cassie said she wished daddy could see it. Since daddy was in bed I took a picture, he'll see it now.
You have no idea how much I have overcome so that my kids can be kids. I had to get that stick out of my ass for starters. Unschooling is about so much more than the 3 r's, I honestly don't care much about academics because you can learn anything they teach in school fairly easily. I care about life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.I'm pretty sure that there are lots of parents with that proverbial stick up their arriere. Actually I know there are, that is why their kids come to my house to play!
When my advice is to get over yourself, I speak from experience. Trust me on that.
A few things I Don't do
I often say things like *I don't do mornings* so I thought I would just write down a few things I *don't* do. I was tagged again about listing 7 random things about me and I just did that 10 weird things so this isn't a meme or anything I just felt like sharing :)
I don't camp unless it's at a hotel with room service.
I don't eat broccoli, mushrooms or oatmeal, it's a texture thing.
Do not put nuts in my chocolate!
I don't sew, Susie and Martha do not live here.
Actually this is the one that spurred my blog entry...
I can't stick my hand in a turkey... I just can't touch it, the raw bird, yikes. If I did not have a husband that not only can cook and is quite awesome at it, we would not be having turkey for Thanksgiving. Nope I just can't do it!
I do cook, I'm pretty good at it but I have my boundaries, LOL!
I don't camp unless it's at a hotel with room service.
I don't eat broccoli, mushrooms or oatmeal, it's a texture thing.
Do not put nuts in my chocolate!
I don't sew, Susie and Martha do not live here.
Actually this is the one that spurred my blog entry...
I can't stick my hand in a turkey... I just can't touch it, the raw bird, yikes. If I did not have a husband that not only can cook and is quite awesome at it, we would not be having turkey for Thanksgiving. Nope I just can't do it!
I do cook, I'm pretty good at it but I have my boundaries, LOL!
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Blog readability
Jewls did it again, she keeps putting these little things on her blog and I just have to try it :)
Giving advice
I find that I have a hard time giving advice to new to unschooling people who are on the fence. What I mean is some posts are full of red flag statements and misconceptions of unschooling and if I let them statements. I really want to help people see the light, let go, trust the process and unschool completely.
I love talking about unschooling and helping people who are truly seeking it. I have great difficulty replying to those that are so far from the concept.
In order to get unschooling you have to want to get it, you have to detox from the system you have to look at learning from a completely new perspective. You really need to have good reasons to home educate in the first place. Unschooling isn't something you do on a whim or try for a day, week or month. It takes time to see the fruit, it takes time to see the process in our children, to see real learning unfold doesn't happen overnight. Everything is connected and sometimes those connections can take months to be made.
If you seriously want to unschool ask yourself *WHY*
What are your real reasons?
First of all for me I am vehemently against compulsary schooling and the basis of the whole system. Why would I try to re-create that in my home?
I know there are lots of happy homeschoolers that push curriculum and make limits on electronics and everything else, well I don't know how happy the kids are :)
I personally know people like this, no I'm not friends with them. That is really because we have nothing in common but homeschooling and parenting issues are BIG on my list.
I have a dear friend who is an eclectic homeschooler, we have talked in length about many things. She doesn't force school but she will never be an unschooler, she said it herself, she can't let go completely. I respect her for making that admission, in the mean time I still can plant seeds.
When people come to unschooling lists and post about their hang ups, I need to know if they really want to unschool before I proceed. Why is that? I am very passionate and very straight and I can't be worrying about saying the wrong thing, LOL! So if you really want my advice, I freely give it but you need to decide why you want to unschool and then get over yourself so your kids have the chance to learn in freedom.
I love talking about unschooling and helping people who are truly seeking it. I have great difficulty replying to those that are so far from the concept.
In order to get unschooling you have to want to get it, you have to detox from the system you have to look at learning from a completely new perspective. You really need to have good reasons to home educate in the first place. Unschooling isn't something you do on a whim or try for a day, week or month. It takes time to see the fruit, it takes time to see the process in our children, to see real learning unfold doesn't happen overnight. Everything is connected and sometimes those connections can take months to be made.
If you seriously want to unschool ask yourself *WHY*
What are your real reasons?
First of all for me I am vehemently against compulsary schooling and the basis of the whole system. Why would I try to re-create that in my home?
I know there are lots of happy homeschoolers that push curriculum and make limits on electronics and everything else, well I don't know how happy the kids are :)
I personally know people like this, no I'm not friends with them. That is really because we have nothing in common but homeschooling and parenting issues are BIG on my list.
I have a dear friend who is an eclectic homeschooler, we have talked in length about many things. She doesn't force school but she will never be an unschooler, she said it herself, she can't let go completely. I respect her for making that admission, in the mean time I still can plant seeds.
When people come to unschooling lists and post about their hang ups, I need to know if they really want to unschool before I proceed. Why is that? I am very passionate and very straight and I can't be worrying about saying the wrong thing, LOL! So if you really want my advice, I freely give it but you need to decide why you want to unschool and then get over yourself so your kids have the chance to learn in freedom.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Unconventional Christian
So many of my thoughts and beliefs are unconventional, I've been thinking a lot about being a Christian and how much I have changed and grown and gone back to my original roots.
I have met a brand new blogger and she is new to unschooling and I am using her term so I think I'll introduce her here and maybe if more people visit her blog it will encourage her, Hilaree
Unconventional-
–adjective
not conventional; not bound by or conforming to convention, rule, or precedent; free from conventionality: an unconventional artist; an unconventional use of material.
I wish I had a tape recorder :) I have just had so many thoughts and had a long talk with Jason, I just may try to write a book someday...
I believe that faith is personal between me and God, not some rule oriented lifestyle that man has mandated to be God's word. I do not believe in institutionalized religion anymore than institutionalized schooling. Our faith is not something to be judged or ridiculed or ruled, it is to be lived.
I believe that I was a Christian since I was 12, my mom prayed with me and I accepted Christ. I had a very rough childhood and I did things that weren't very good but I always prayed and I believe that God was with me and watching over me.
I never thought that you had to go to church to be a Christian, I believed that God was everywhere and we could pray and worship at any time not just at 10 am on Sunday.
I went to many different churches and didn't really believe any of their doctrines. We didn't go for many years but I always had faith and prayed and believed I was a Christian.
Then we joined the Church of Christ and got baptized and lots of things changed. Things I believed to be true I was told were not, we studied the Bible weekly and learned a lot. I also became *holier than thou* and started telling others what I had learned and challenged their convictions. I judged people by so many measures I can't count, I didn't realize I was doing that at the time though. As time went on and I changed and had all my kids and I really started reflecting on these *truths* I realized that I didn't really believe in all of these should's and should not's.
After careful prayer and lots of time to make sure it was right we left the church. I have been growing with God and keeping my faith but I do not need an institution and I do not need any man made religion all I need is the Lord.
I have met a brand new blogger and she is new to unschooling and I am using her term so I think I'll introduce her here and maybe if more people visit her blog it will encourage her, Hilaree
Unconventional-
–adjective
not conventional; not bound by or conforming to convention, rule, or precedent; free from conventionality: an unconventional artist; an unconventional use of material.
I wish I had a tape recorder :) I have just had so many thoughts and had a long talk with Jason, I just may try to write a book someday...
I believe that faith is personal between me and God, not some rule oriented lifestyle that man has mandated to be God's word. I do not believe in institutionalized religion anymore than institutionalized schooling. Our faith is not something to be judged or ridiculed or ruled, it is to be lived.
I believe that I was a Christian since I was 12, my mom prayed with me and I accepted Christ. I had a very rough childhood and I did things that weren't very good but I always prayed and I believe that God was with me and watching over me.
I never thought that you had to go to church to be a Christian, I believed that God was everywhere and we could pray and worship at any time not just at 10 am on Sunday.
I went to many different churches and didn't really believe any of their doctrines. We didn't go for many years but I always had faith and prayed and believed I was a Christian.
Then we joined the Church of Christ and got baptized and lots of things changed. Things I believed to be true I was told were not, we studied the Bible weekly and learned a lot. I also became *holier than thou* and started telling others what I had learned and challenged their convictions. I judged people by so many measures I can't count, I didn't realize I was doing that at the time though. As time went on and I changed and had all my kids and I really started reflecting on these *truths* I realized that I didn't really believe in all of these should's and should not's.
After careful prayer and lots of time to make sure it was right we left the church. I have been growing with God and keeping my faith but I do not need an institution and I do not need any man made religion all I need is the Lord.
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