Maggie Lesoing

Hi all,

I am new to this list but not new to unschooling. I have lurked for a
week or so but the conversation this morning prompted me to begin
chatting with you all.

My introduction was made sort of informally, so I thought I'd try
again. I am Maggie Lesoing, married, with 2 unschooled boys, Ethan, age
5 (6 in June!) and Cyrus, age 9. Someone today said they had unschooled
since birth, and I think that is true for us, as well.

I love unschooling with all my heart. It truly 'fits.' The only
so-called problem I ever have (apart from my husband's occasional low
confidence levels -- lol!) is that we are TOGETHER all day, every day,
and all night, as well. We have time apart when the boys go play at a
neighbor's house or something, but basically it's us together constantly.

Amid all this togetherness, which I mostly love dearly, there are times
when my mind craves being physically alone, or when I crave quiet, or
when I can't stand one more minute of fighting! (The boys have gotten
into a nasty routine of fighting together quite a bit!)

How do you all handle this? Is it an issue for anyone else? Parenting
is very much in the forefront of my mind most of the time, like how to
handle some tougher situations, like fighting, etc. My philosophy is
in-line with the Parenting with Dignity people, (they even have a web
site for anyone interested --
http://www.parentingwithdignity.com/PWD/menu/index.htm) but even with
that philosophy my patience and creativity is frequently challenged.

Just hoping for support and suggestions from others. There are other
homeschoolers in our tiny little town but I am the only unschooler as
far as I know, and most of not all of the other hs'ers do curriculums or
school at home. It can begin to feel that I am afloat in a vast ocean
with one tiny life boat.

Thanks in advance. You are all wonderful, of course!

Maggie



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Well I guess I should introduce myself too, especially since I've already
posted several times. LOL

I'm Rhonda Hill, wife to Phillip, mother to Kass & Kree, our 11 yo twin
daughters. We've unschooled since the minute I took them out of public
school. That was about 3 years ago. I never knew such a thing existed until
shortly before I took them out, all I knew was that "school" didn't work for
us. I was feeling as though everything was a battle and red tape. I had
always heard of homeschooling as a conservative, religious based decision. I
figured I'd lie if I had to and say it was based on my religious beliefs,
figuring that since it is a constitutional right, that it would be a good
base from which to stand. No matter how far from the truth. Wow, was I
shocked when I joined several local groups. Some were religious based, others
diversified, but more importantly I found I was not alone.

Now a member of 2 groups, one more diverse than another, I have many
unschooling friends. They lurk here too. But they have to introduce
themselves.LOL

Anyway, we have no typical day. Everyday is different and we find joy in all
of them. There's even joy in the bickering. My hubby usually reminds them
that if they were in school they wouldn't be with each other so maybe they'd
get along better??? They quickly admit their pettiness and that it would
definately suck to go back. He is a complete believer in unschooling and is
currently sitting behind me trying to mess me up because I'm not paying
attention to him right now. He's my biggest kid of course. Jealous of the
computer and books.

I'd also like to say that he's a Marine & National Guardsman, however he was
inactivated a couples of years ago when I got ill. To all of you with loved
ones serving, our thoughts and hopes are with you. The twins plan on going
into the Corps, a thought that can make a mother both honored and sad
simultaneously. They are young still and could change their minds tomorrow,
but then again isn't that what all this is about? We would not change our
lifestyle for any other. We are free in our home, if not in the world.

Probably way more info than any of you wanted to know. But those here who
know me personally can testify I tend to have diarhea of the mouth, the
keyboard and other orfaces. LOL

This group is wonderful, thank you to everyone on it.

Rhonda


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