Katie

I used to post a lot on Unschooling.com before it went kaput. I
don't know if anyone remembers me or not. It's not that important I
guess. What is important is that I'm finding myself miles from
where I want to be with my kids and really wanting to be back on the
path we used to be on.

About two years ago now my husband and I split up and I had to go
back to work full time and move in with my parents and the kids went
into school and chaos reigned supreme. I'm still single (prefering
it this way actually) and I've started going to college but the kids
are still in school and they would rather be home. And I would
rather they were home.

School hasn't been terrible for them. They're strong kids. But
it's the little things that have developed that are breaking my
heart like my always assertive daughter suddenly becoming shy and my
son being in a school without an art program (Aiden without art is
like a fish without water).

At this point I'm not working and while I will be going to school
full time for the next 4 years it's only for a few hours a day. I
don't see any reason why they need to be in school six hours. But I
would need to find someone to watch them for 3 or 4 hours a day when
I am in school. And my family isn't supportive in the least. They
weren't supportive of unschooling when I was a SAHM and they are
doubly against it now.

The kids are with their dad for the summer (first time for this and
it's for 2 whole months!!) and I feel all empty. To fill that up a
little I started reading on this list again. It's opened my eyes to
how far off track I have gotten. Not just with unschooling but with
parenting in general. There is way too much NO in our lives. I
wanna bring YES back. :)

Katie

hmsdragonfly

--- In [email protected], "Katie" <katguts@...> wrote:
>
> I used to post a lot on Unschooling.com before it went kaput. I
> don't know if anyone remembers me or not.

I remember you, Katie! I've missed your voice!

> At this point I'm not working and while I will be going to school
> full time for the next 4 years it's only for a few hours a day. I
> don't see any reason why they need to be in school six hours. But
> I would need to find someone to watch them for 3 or 4 hours a day
> when I am in school. And my family isn't supportive in the
> least. They weren't supportive of unschooling when I was a SAHM
> and they are doubly against it now.

You can do it without their support! It won't be easy, but you can
do it! I wish you lived closer! We could work something out for
sure. But maybe there's somebody there. Are you still in the Tri-
Cities?

> The kids are with their dad for the summer (first time for this
> and it's for 2 whole months!!) and I feel all empty.

Oh, ouch. Make yourself a countdown! Talk to them often. Two things
that got me through the months while Chloe was in England:
(1) Finding cool little things to mail to her -- stuff that wouldn't
take extra postage -- it was a fun hobby, and she loved it.
(2) Instant messaging. I'm on the computer all day at work, so it
was always a huge thrill when I saw her log on.

Are there any things like that to help you pass the time?

> To fill that up a little I started reading on this list again.
> It's opened my eyes to how far off track I have gotten. Not
> just with unschooling but with parenting in general.
> There is way too much NO in our lives. I wanna bring YES back. :)

Cool! We'll keep you company while they're gone, and you get the fun
of rediscovering unschooling. How neat!

Welcome back! You've been missed!

Oh, you guys HAVE to come to LIFE Is Good in Vancouver next May!
I've always wanted to meet you!

df

Katie

May? We'll be there! :)

It's so great to be back on a list where the stuff being written is
in line with how my heart feels. I admit I tried to feel like the
other parents at the school but I just couldn't help feeling
argumentative about everything. It's read so many familiar voices
too.

Katie

--- In [email protected], "hmsdragonfly"
<hmsdragonfly@...> wrote:
>
> --- In [email protected], "Katie" <katguts@> wrote:
> >
> > I used to post a lot on Unschooling.com before it went kaput. I
> > don't know if anyone remembers me or not.
>
> I remember you, Katie! I've missed your voice!
>
> > At this point I'm not working and while I will be going to
school
> > full time for the next 4 years it's only for a few hours a day.
I
> > don't see any reason why they need to be in school six hours.
But
> > I would need to find someone to watch them for 3 or 4 hours a
day
> > when I am in school. And my family isn't supportive in the
> > least. They weren't supportive of unschooling when I was a SAHM
> > and they are doubly against it now.
>
> You can do it without their support! It won't be easy, but you can
> do it! I wish you lived closer! We could work something out for
> sure. But maybe there's somebody there. Are you still in the Tri-
> Cities?
>
> > The kids are with their dad for the summer (first time for this
> > and it's for 2 whole months!!) and I feel all empty.
>
> Oh, ouch. Make yourself a countdown! Talk to them often. Two
things
> that got me through the months while Chloe was in England:
> (1) Finding cool little things to mail to her -- stuff that
wouldn't
> take extra postage -- it was a fun hobby, and she loved it.
> (2) Instant messaging. I'm on the computer all day at work, so it
> was always a huge thrill when I saw her log on.
>
> Are there any things like that to help you pass the time?
>
> > To fill that up a little I started reading on this list again.
> > It's opened my eyes to how far off track I have gotten. Not
> > just with unschooling but with parenting in general.
> > There is way too much NO in our lives. I wanna bring YES
back. :)
>
> Cool! We'll keep you company while they're gone, and you get the
fun
> of rediscovering unschooling. How neat!
>
> Welcome back! You've been missed!
>
> Oh, you guys HAVE to come to LIFE Is Good in Vancouver next May!
> I've always wanted to meet you!
>
> df
>

jenstarc4

>
> May? We'll be there! :)
>
> Katie
>

I remember you too! We went to the Life Is Good conference this year,
and will go again next year! I hope you can make it!

Jenny Cyphers, over here in OR