Karen Kahn

Hi Angela,

I'm enjoying this thread. I, too have 2 boys, 9 and 13. I've been worried a lot because they don't "do anything" that looks like schooly learning. I work on my own trust, and look for evidence of what IS working: how happy and kind they are, what they ARE learning. I focus a lot on the "strategy skills, reading and persistance" gained from marathon Gameboy days.

My biggest challenge comes from the fact that I, like you, have no unschooling friends around me. Everyone else does school or school at home, and disagrees with what little I share about my philosophy. Makes trusting yourself just a little more difficult.

Something I've started doing lately may sound really goofy, but it's been a help to me. I've started reading to them from the Core Knowledge series ("What Your First Grader Needs to Know"). I don't buy that kids "need" to know things at a certain time, but it's been reassuring to me, as I read this stuff (or skim through it because the boys say, "yeah, we know that mom"). We laugh about them now having a "Good Third Grade Education." But for whatever reason, I feel better having this brief overview for a a few minutes here and there throughout the day. And I've been learning things!

Karen


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