Sandra Dodd

Joyce wrote this in another topic. I'm going to chop it down to a
shorter statement and comment.

-=-And the benefit is that when we've put in years of respecting their
needs, when we're trying to get the laundry done and the beds made
before company comes we can say "Hey, I could use some help here,"
and the kids will say "Sure!" When we don't impose on their time
because of some false sense of them owing us, when we've been
generous with our help meeting the needs *they* feel are important
(eg, making healthy meals for them isn't their need but our desire to
cook in a certain way), then they'll be generous with their time. We
will *be* someone they want to help.-=-



"[W]hen we've put in years of respecting their
needs... then they'll be generous with their time. We
will *be* someone they want to help."



Unschooling isn't like sending a child to school and then helping
with his homework. It requires the creation of an unschooling
environment, coordinated by someone who really understands
unschooling. That's probably going to be one parent at first, and
maybe two eventually if there are two. Someone who doesn't believe
in unschooling can't do it. Someone who doesn't know how to unschool
can't do it. Someone who isn't willing to change can't do it.

They can say they're doing it and go through some of the motions, but
then they'll be writing about school and deciding unschooling wasn't
working.

To have children thrive in an unschooling home, the home must be made
into an unschooling home.

To have children spontaneously show affection and respect for their
wonderful, mindful parents, the parents have to first become
wonderfully mindful.

It's not as hard as it sounds for those who want to do it, but it's
absolutely impossible for those who don't want to!

So no one "has to" change, but people also don't have to unschool.
There are schools galore and all manner of online and in-a-box
curriculum packages.



Sandra




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