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**I have a friend who likes the idea of unschooling but worries that
she's "not smart enough". She said that "smart" people know how to
answer their children's questions on the spot and know enough in their
own heads to point stuff out without planning ahead of time. I do see
that she has a point. Your child asks you what kind of insect is
crawling on a rock and you immediately tell her the name of the bug
and a really interesting fact versus telling her you will look it up
with her later, and either you forget to look it up or when you do,
she has lost interest.**

I think that parents who can answer ALL their children's questions on the
spot would be horrible unschooling parents. What's to think and wonder and
ponder about if mom knows everything? The big secret about knowledge is that
no one has it all, but everyone can share in any parts of it if they want to.
And that (most) people love to share the knowledge they hold.

Much more important than "knowing the answers" is a willingness to help a ch
ild find the people with the knowledge they're seeking - through books or
vidoes or tapes or in person.

Deborah in IL

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<< I think that parents who can answer ALL their children's questions on the
spot would be horrible unschooling parents. What's to think and wonder and
ponder about if mom knows everything? >>

Oh no! I've ruined my children!!

(Oh wait, I forgot I didn't know everything...
But lots of times I just do know the answer, and I just tell them, but I try
to go on to the next question they might or might not be thinking of, and tie
it to something else they're interested in, so they have either loose ends or
new bridges.)

<<Much more important than "knowing the answers" is a willingness to help a ch
ild find the people with the knowledge they're seeking - through books or
vidoes or tapes or in person. >>

Or other people! I often say "I think it's this, but
Jeff/Cathyn/Wendy/Dad/Mike/Anne knows more about it," and the next time that
person's over, I recount up to the point where we are. Instead of making
them start from scratch, I'll say in front of the kid who asked, "Marty asked
about circuits, and I said X, but I'm not sure if I was right," and they can
take over from there. It's quicker, less boring, and less imposition on them.

Sandra