[email protected]

In a message dated 3/2/04 10:39:29 AM, uskhills@... writes:

<< Anyways, I'm just looking for encouragement

as I roll back into getting our life in order. I've always been VERY

eclectic in my style of homeschooling, but I'm really trying to just

let my kids be kids. >>

As though I've been collecting it *just for you* here is the main entry to my
parenting-considerations collection (to which I add nearly every day):

http://sandradodd.com/life

Sandra

[email protected]

In a message dated 3/2/2004 12:39:39 PM Eastern Standard Time,
uskhills@... writes:
<<We've since moved and school has been totally on hold. No plans, no
schedule, NADA...just unpacking boxes and organizing. I'm learning
to lighten up a little (ok a TON) now that I'm parenting 100% on my
own.>>


I went through a situation very much like yours...where I went to being a
single parent of 5 almost over night. I also had been an eclectic/relaxed
homeschooler and found myself heading to unschooling after the separation from my
exhusband. It was definitely the right path for us! I let go of controlling my
children (not only academics, but chores, food, bedtimes, and media use), and
it has led to a dramatic improvement in our family life and my stress levels
<g>. It has been nearly 5 yrs. now, and although it's not always easy for us,
unschooling was definitely the way to go! We are now five wonderful
individuals who live together helping and supporting each other in a mutually
respectful manner instead of me being the boss who has to control and train the rest
who, of course, would resent it. Good luck to you on your journey!

--Jacqueline


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[email protected]

In a message dated 3/2/2004 9:03:26 PM Eastern Standard Time,
ivorygrace7@... writes:
<<We are now five wonderful
individuals>>

I must be tired; I just can't leave anybody out--We are now SIX wonderful
individuals!

--Jacqueline


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Inna Manni

stupid question - how do single mothers (sole earners for the family)
manage to keep their kids out of school?



__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Search - Find what you�re looking for faster
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In a message dated 3/2/2004 11:19:40 PM Eastern Standard Time,
SpinFrog@... writes:


> stupid question - how do single mothers (sole earners for the family)
> manage to keep their kids out of school?

I am not a single parent, but know one......I believe she manages it with
creativity, finesse, a flexible work schedule, and a helping grandparent. And I
think all three of them (mom, 9 year old daughter, grandmother) are
*extremely* fortunate. I am not sure I could manage it, and I have great respect for
those who attempt it. Oh, and the single parent I know began college classes
this winter to get a better job.

Susan, who hasn't posted yet......but has enjoyed the "listening" (Hi, to
Kelli and Pam from the Live and Learn conference)


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[email protected]

In a message dated 3/2/2004 11:19:27 PM Eastern Standard Time,
SpinFrog@... writes:
<<stupid question - how do single mothers (sole earners for the family)
manage to keep their kids out of school?>>


I'm a single mother, but I do receive child support from my exhusband. It's
not a lot, but by living extremely frugally and living in low-income housing,
we can make ends meet <g>. I also earn a bit of extra money taking care of 2
girls before school in the morning and putting them on their school bus. In
the past, I've done tutoring, and I worked for the Census Bureau for 6 wks.
back in 2000 which gave me some savings for emergencies. My oldest daughter and
a couple of friends took care of my children while I was working.

--Jacqueline


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

pam sorooshian

On Mar 2, 2004, at 8:23 PM, susanledford9@... wrote:

> Susan, who hasn't posted yet......but has enjoyed the "listening"
> (Hi, to
> Kelli and Pam from the Live and Learn conference)

Hi back at ya, Susan. Good to see you here!!!

-pam
National Home Education Network
<www.NHEN.org>
Serving the entire homeschooling community since 1999
through information, networking and public relations.

Mary

From: "Inna Manni" <SpinFrog@...>


> stupid question - how do single mothers (sole earners for the family)
> manage to keep their kids out of school?


I know of a few. Two of them have family take care of their children while
they are at work. One other runs a day care out of her house.

Mary B

Diane

I work twelve-hour shifts on the weekend as a nurse to support my
family--and the lady who comes in from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. those days to
take care of my kids. Weekends pay more and I don't have to worry as
much about the child care provider thinking she has to "educate" my
kids, except in social skills. After all, we all (haha) know learning
takes place Monday through Friday, right?

:-) Diane


Inna Manni wrote:

>stupid question - how do single mothers (sole earners for the family)
>manage to keep their kids out of school?
>
>

Melissa

--- In [email protected], Inna Manni
<SpinFrog@y...> wrote:

<<stupid question - how do single mothers (sole earners for the
family) manage to keep their kids out of school?>>

I was wondering this same thing myself. It's really interesting to
hear the different ways in which single parents are able to unschool
their kids. I guess it goes to show that, with a little creativity
and hard work (and sometimes help from family members), you really
can do anything you put your mind to. :)

Melissa

Jessica Spurr

> [Original Message]
> From: Inna Manni <SpinFrog@...>
> To: <[email protected]>
> Date: 3/2/2004 8:18:58 PM
> Subject: Re: [UnschoolingDiscussion] Education Overhaul!
>
> stupid question - how do single mothers (sole earners for the family)
> manage to keep their kids out of school?
>
>

Remember, especially on a discussion like this, no question is stupid :o)
If you don't ask, how are you going to learn hehehehehehe


Anyway, I am a single parent of one child and if my son was anything like
most of his friends, I would not be able to do it. My son is VERY
trustworthy and I can leave him home and know that the house will still be
standing when I get back. :o)

Granted, you do not have as much time as a 2 parent family but we do it.
You just learn to take advantage of special moments more.

I refuse to send my child back to school...My son got really hurt by people
that were supposed to be his teachers. He has learned more about living
and caring since being home. He knows now that learning can be fun...his
self esteem is back and he enjoys life again...

Jessi

queenjane555

--- In [email protected], Inna Manni
<SpinFrog@y...> wrote:
> stupid question - how do single mothers (sole earners for the
family)
> manage to keep their kids out of school?


I'm a single mom of a 7 yo boy. I quit my job, and moved closer to
family primarily so i could HS, and also to help my sister with my
disabled mother. We are fortunate enough that my mother can afford to
pay for caregivers, and that she is willing to pay *us* (my sister
and me)to do the job. This week was my first week, it was actually
pretty nice being there with my mom after four years living in
another state. My son and I share a 2 bd apartment with my brother,
which means my expenses are fairly low, but we don't have alot of
space. For the past two years we've had a terrific woman come from
Lithiunia from Sept until March to take care of my mom (she's
become like extended family now), if we invite her back in sept. i
won't have a job so will have to come up with other plans until the
following March.

If my son's father wouldve just agreed to work evenings (like he had
the entire time i'd known him, up until it was actually beneficial
for him to!grrrrr...)i couldve kept my job in Ohio, and we couldve
swung HSing there. But our lives here are much better, so much more
free time, more relaxed, not so many bills to fret over.

I'd say the number one benefit to being a single mom HS'er is that i
don't have to convince a dh that unschooling is the best way, or deal
with any of the husband issues i often read about ("my dh thinks we
arent doing enough school" or "my dh keeps quizzing the kids!")...and
luckily since my son's father and i are so far on terrific terms i
havent had to worry about him dragging me into court to challenge
HSing. I wouldnt mind having a husband around to support me (both
emotionally AND financially), and be able to have a bunch more kids
though!


Katherine