Comments on: Unschooling Inspiration (and reassurance)

By: Tracy Million Simmons

Tracy Million Simmons — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 14:04:15 +0000

Cool! Just found your website when googling my name. What a delight to find myself quoted. Looking forward to checking out the rest of your site.

By: Kristie

Kristie — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 21:20:41 +0000

It’s funny, but I am a little immersed in a group of HSers here that would consider themselves unschoolers. However, they can be a wee bit scary at times- the ‘Mafia-mom’ type, if you know what I mean. Being the stubborn person I am (blame it on my genes) I don’t let on that ‘unschooling’ is one of our seasons around here, and with all the discussion and thoughts roaming my mind, could be one that sticks. I just know that these ladies have a very definite idea of what ‘unschooling’ is and what it ISN”T! It is that same old theme resurfacing. So how very wonderful it is to come here and read quotes like this one
“Don’t let anyone tell you there is a right way or wrong way to unschool. Know that even the most seasoned unschooling parent will not necessarily have the answers you are looking for. Keep your mind open to ideas and concepts, but don’t let yourself feel threatened by those more set in their ways. Assuming there are hard and set rules, after all, for unschooling, would be defeating its very purpose.”

BTW, does Tigger like to knit Jove? That is one thing I have learned to do passionately in front of my kids that my daughter has definitely caught!

By: willa

willa — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 18:27:13 +0000

Theresa, I liked what you said in Steph’s comment box about being so busy planning that you sometimes forgot to just live passionately. That resonated with me since I do the same thing.

I also liked the way you describe not letting someone else’s definition box you in. That’s the point I came to after struggling with it for a long time. My unschool or homeschool isn’t going to look like anyone else’s. Not that I can’t glean wisdom and practical tips (your blog helped me work with Kieron a bit better than I would have otherwise) but that it has to be our own unique way of doing it, not someone else’s.

By: jove

jove — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 12:29:22 +0000

You’ve made some really good points here, or excerpted some, or something. Thanks. I think the one about not letting anyone else tell you you are doing it wrong is really important. Self-confidence can be a bit of a problem for lots of people.

And I’m trying to work out that doing more of what I love stuff. How to fit that in with being present for my kid is trickier but then she loves some of what I love anyway.

By: tribeofautodidacts

tribeofautodidacts — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 22:57:50 +0000

Great article! I particularly liked what she had to say about keeping room in your life for your own learning experiences and passions.

http://momof3feistykids.wordpress.com/

By: woodstone

woodstone — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 13:43:22 +0000

I haven’t read the whole article yet, but I’m going to have to… I love the excerpts. Lots of wisdom there in terms of unschooling, and homeschooling in general. Thanks for posting this…

By: Meredith

Meredith — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 14:29:46 +0000

“Don’t let anyone tell you there is a right way or wrong way to unschool. Know that even the most seasoned unschooling parent will not necessarily have the answers you are looking for. Keep your mind open to ideas and concepts, but don’t let yourself feel threatened by those more set in their ways. Assuming there are hard and set rules, after all, for unschooling, would be defeating its very purpose.”

And isn’t this the case with ANY method of choice, that we don’t let ourselves be talked out of something because it didn’t work for someone else!! Love all your quotes today and the article, thank you for sharing them!

By: Makita

Makita — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 13:21:27 +0000

Thank you, again! I feel like my family (at least the kids and I) are on a roller coaster… some days are so focused and others are so laid back. A “visitor” would have a hard time discerning that we were schooling on those relaxed days.

By: lapazfarm

lapazfarm — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 01:46:38 +0000

Chrissy, that is an excellent point. It’s one of the things that makes me wonder why I don’t just go ahead and start off the year unschooling since I am going to end up there anyway. It sure would save a lot of guilt about all of the things we planned in august but dropped by sept!LOL!

By: Chrissy

Chrissy — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 01:20:38 +0000

I find myself doing the same thing every spring. We are always gung-ho at the beginning of the school year and then come spring everyone (including me) gets spring fever.

I am going to read the article in the morning and will come back when I am a little bit more awake.