heasue2003

I am not perfect. I don't claim to know everything about
unschooling. I am new to unschooling and that is why I ask for
others opinions. I however don't like to be told that I am not an
unschooler because it leaves me no room for growth. Either I have it
or I don't and if I don't, I am not an unschooler. If I don't have it
and I am not an unschooler, then I don't belong in this group. I have
decided to leave the group because I have more important things to do
than spend my time defending myself.

I am moving on to better things......... A place where I am allowed
to continue on my journey of unschooling.

Heather

Angela S

Heather,

If you haven't left the list already, just sit back and read the posts for a
while. Get a feeling for how the list works. IDEAS are discussed on this
and many other unschooling lists. Most aren't considered support groups but
discussion groups.



Really, no one was attacking you. They were just trying to get you to
examine your thoughts and ideas a little more closely. Like when you word
something with the words "I can't", (about going outside in the winter)
someone (me in this case) might point out that everything in life is a
choice and that's a better way to think about it. If you think of having
limited choices, then you will limit yourself. The world is wide open and
everything is a choice. So instead of saying, "I can't" it would be more
accurate to say, "I choose not to" or to just give more details about why
going outside doesn't work for you at this point.



It is hard to get outside with little ones but for me it was important.
There are a variety of ways to keep a little child's hands warm. Maybe put
long warm socks on over his hands before you put his coat on, ones that go
all the way up his arms. Maybe invest in some 99 cent hand warmers for him
to hold. Maybe he would like to hold a warm rice bag. Maybe if your dd
found an activity that she likes outside, she'd be more willing to go
outside. These lists are great for brainstorming ideas. I am not saying
take a very unwilling child kicking and screaming out into the cold if she
really protests, but maybe there are specific things that will help her to
enjoy being outside, if its something that is important to you. For me,
going outside always broke up the monotony, even if it was just for a short
time. It refreshed me and helped me to be a more patient mother.



I am so thankful that ideas are discussed on these lists. They have helped
me grow immensely and to become a better parent. Maybe they'll help you
too, if you stick around.



Angela

game-enthusiast@...



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nellebelle

>>>>>I however don't like to be told that I am not an unschooler because it leaves me no room for growth. Either I have it or I don't and if I don't, I am not an unschooler>>>>

It appears that poster has left, but I want to comment on the above statements.

I thought I was an unschooler long before I really was. As I read, explore, and practice these ideas that were brand new to me 4 or 5 years ago, I continue to understand more.

I'm not sure where I stand now on being a *real unschooler*, but I've come to see that my first understandings of it were only partially right. Perhaps I became an unschooler on the first day I decided that I wanted to be one, but I still have much to learn and hope that I continue to grow in learning to live a joyful life and enabling my children to do the same.

Mary Ellen

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