Mary Hickman

Hello, it is Mary, now know as having 2 kids who do not particularly care
for each other, a 7 year old who likes to vent at me and a passionate 5 year
old who loves TV. I also have a 2 year old nursing toddler. We have been at
home learning since the birth of my oldest. I'm very impressed with the
feedback and personal stories regarding TV. I went TV free some 10 years
ago. For me this was very enlightning. Maybe I learned more about myself in
6 months than my entire childhood. The TV was unlimited in my house I grew
up in and a major substitute for an available parent. I also find it non
communitive in that people around me veg out, myself included. It puts me
into an alpha state of consciousness very quickly. I usually do not remember
what I watch, the story line, the characters. Now, if I read a book, I
remember forever. Also when I experience something , I retain/remember all
the details. I love live theater because I retain what I saw and can develop
an opinion later. With TV, I veg, it is lost time to me. Now that I'm older,
a mere 35, my time is important. I have loads of things I want to do and
learn. No time for TV viewing, though it sounds like I'm missing good
things.

Next Topic:

Classes. We have great social gathering with our homeschool group. We have
put on many wonderful performances, learned about ancient cultures, have
eaten tons of various cultures foods, played games, done crafts, made peace
workshops,... I've only been invovled for 4 years with the groups. What is
so nice about our homeschooling community is that each group activity is
truly a social gathering for families. One week it is our family providing
snacks and scripts about the Celtic culture. Another week, another family.
Sometimes we do things for 6 weeks or so, other times its a one time deal.
The synergy is incredible. The older kids help pull in shy or hesitant kids
in a very gentle way. The kids can listen or not, participate or not. They
absorb, they play. We, the adults provide the ideas, ususally because one of
our kids are into it, and then we grow from there. Lately it has been acting
for many families. We have learned that structure inhibits us and we reach
beyond the box and invent our own ways. Families come when they want, no
expectations. I dig our group and our social gatherings. We made soap,
candles, bath salts, all together, for gift giving. So fun to be with
friends always learning.

Baby is now asleep on my lap, TV is on with The Princess Diary. I'm taking
care or my 3 1/2 year old neice for 5 days. She is playing with Legos. It
snowed in Davis Ca. on Monday. It is very cold. We went to the Raptor Center
and saw loads of rescued birds, hiked with some other homeschooling families
(one of our social gatherings aka classes) played at McDolalds. It is 2 pm
now. Thank you all for throwing the party. I would love to donate my TV, but
I live in a family and would offend those here who love it. My passionate
son will get to see TV, though I feel it isn't the best for his developing
self. Constant compromise.

Mary H.



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Tia Leschke

>I went TV free some 10 years
>ago. For me this was very enlightning. Maybe I learned more about myself in
>6 months than my entire childhood. The TV was unlimited in my house I grew
>up in and a major substitute for an available parent. I also find it non
>communitive in that people around me veg out, myself included. It puts me
>into an alpha state of consciousness very quickly. I usually do not remember
>what I watch, the story line, the characters. Now, if I read a book, I
>remember forever.

I'm the same way, which is why we didn't have a TV for so long. My dh and
ds are the opposite. They tend not to remember what they read and don't
choose the printed word for learning if they can help it.
Tia

No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.
Eleanor Roosevelt
*********************************************
Tia Leschke
leschke@...
On Vancouver Island

Nanci Kuykendall

>I'm the same way, which is why we didn't have a TV
>for so long. My dh and ds are the opposite. They
>tend not to remember what they read and don't choose
>the printed word for learning if they can help it.
>Tia

Okay, I have the same problem. I end up having to do
ALL the reading and research on any given issue, and
then translating into converational english for my dh.
SOOooooo....does anyone know some good video sources
for Unschooling ideas/information? John Holt anything
maybe? Or just good sources for instructional or
informative video?

Nanci K.


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[email protected]

In a message dated 1/31/02 11:18:18 AM, aisliin@... writes:

<< Or just good sources for instructional or
informative video? >>

I have some audio tapes. Would he listen in the car?

[email protected]

In a message dated 1/31/2002 1:18:26 PM Eastern Standard Time,
aisliin@... writes:


> Okay, I have the same problem. I end up having to do
> ALL the reading and research on any given issue, and
> then translating into converational english for my dh.
> SOOooooo....does anyone know some good video sources
> for Unschooling ideas/information? John Holt anything
> maybe? Or just good sources for instructional or
> informative video?
>

There's ALWAYS the possibiltyof attending one of those totally FABULOUS
unschooling conferences---that not only feature some of the most
knowledgeable unschoolers around---but are also INTERACTIVE! The husband and
son could ask questions until the wee hours! >BWG<

Kelly


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