| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
Sandra Dodd
USA
1419 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 28 2006 : 7:21:17 PM
|
Today is the last day I can say "I have three teenagers," because tomorrow Kirby turns 20.
When he was four months old, I went to La Leche League. I wish I had gone sooner! I wish I had gone four months before he was born. I had been reading helpful books, and I knew I wanted to be a gentle mom, but being around others who were doing it consciously and thoughtfully helped me greatly.
I had been going to Adult Children of Alcoholics meetings for a year by the time I started La Leche League,and they didn't conflict with each other philosophically at all. They were wholly complementary, in fact, and they bolstered me and Kirby both into a strong relationship.
There are things I would love to go back and redo, but though I'm not completely satisfied, I'm not ashamed either. When I said "okay" to Kirby I was saying okay to the little Sandra inside me who might otherwise have built up some jealous resentment about this new kid getting to do things I never got to do. It was healing to imagine that if my mom had been fortunate enough to have other influences and better circumstances maybe she would have said yes to me more often too.
Ren Allen and I did a talk together at a conference in late 2005. There are notes on that here:
/rentalk
I hope people who come by here might be encouraged, and maybe share stories of your own personal healing. By sharing my children's lives, there has been more happy childhood in my own life.
Sandra Dodd
/unschooling
|
|
|
arcarpenter
USA
206 Posts |
Posted - Jul 29 2006 : 8:12:56 PM
|
Happy Birthday, Kirby. It's my birthday, too, and I'm 39. Thanks, in part, to Kirby being born on the day I turned 19 (my last year as a teenager), I've found a better way to interact with the kids I have now, the kids I never imagined on that day 20 years ago.
I can post healing stories later, maybe -- one of my children would like to play a game now, and I have the gift of being able to say yes.
Peace,
Amy
Mom to Fisher (b. 6/97) and Riley (b. 6/03) |
 |
|
|
cc2angels
53 Posts |
Posted - Nov 09 2007 : 5:24:15 PM
|
Unschooling as a Healing practice.
Oh my, where do I start?
I had a completely horrid experience in my public schooling, from the first to the last. Hence my decision to keep my kids out of there.
Unschooling has aided my healing that little girl in me, who was verbally ridiculed by students, who was bullied by students, who was publicly humilated by a few teachers.(Only three teachers in 11yrs of PSing, ever encouraged me. But I was at least grateful for them).
Unschooling my children has made me EMOTIONALLY STRONGER.
I feel somewhat like a gladiator now. My confidence is my "shield", my knowledge, is my "strategy". I hope I never have to use my "sword" of words. (Against those who try to attack my USing). But if I do, it lies in waiting.
I will fascilitate and encourage my two young DD's, in hopes that they will become assertive,confident,courageous,outspoken leaders.
We will ride high and long, with Unschooling as our proverbial "horse".
I pray their future children, oneday hear, the thunder of our "hooves"...
~CC
|
Edited by - cc2angels on Nov 16 2007 11:53:39 PM |
|
|
|
Sandra Dodd
USA
1419 Posts |
Posted - Nov 09 2007 : 8:26:06 PM
|
I'm glad you stirred this folder.
Kirby's been 21 since July, Marty is 18 and Holly is 16. Three notable ages.
Sandra Dodd
/unschooling
|
|
|
|
stellaluna
Canada
12 Posts |
Posted - Dec 03 2007 : 1:58:16 PM
|
I really find unschooling to be very healing too. 
I grew up in a home with very young and financially stressed parents. I now know also that my mother battled depression. It was always a very tense home. I kind of always had that "walking on eggshells" feeling.
Now that I have my own family and we are RUs, I get to relive and redo some things. I love having an emotionally-safe home and a home where learning is fun. And man....do we have fun!
Bloom where you're planted! |
|
|
|
cc2angels
53 Posts |
Posted - Dec 03 2007 : 2:29:20 PM
|
..."I love having an emotionally-safe home and a home where learning is fun."
I so agree!
My childhood home was the same,"walking on eggshells". All due to my Dad, who was abusive to my Mom. While he never hurt my two younger sister's and I physically, it took both my sister's and I, many years to heal emotionally, from witnessing all that we did.
When I was thinking back to my childhood recently, I remember doing lot's of stuff with my Mom. She loved to draw, which I(used)to do. Baking, lots of crafts, are things she still likes to do. We are two provinces away from each other,(although she is currently out here and will be here for the holidays). My oldest DD is very much like my Mom, she loves baking and drawing and doing crafts. She is just stuck to my Mom the whole time she visits with us!
Thinking about it, I realized that even though my sister's and I went to PS, my Mom had the biggest influnce on my creativity.She encouraged me in my love of music and poetry,(which my oldest DD is already showing love of same). I play a varitey of instruments, all self taught, and write poetry and songs. Actually, my oldest DD wrote her first poem, and showed it a local community HSing "accomplishment fair",which was just held last Friday at our local library. All the parents who read it, were amazed by it.
I have no doubts that Unschooling my children is not only the best for them, it is also aiding in my "healing" as well. I look forward to every day with them, whereas, when I was a child and going to PS, I "dreaded" every school day.
"Bloom where you planted!".
I'm going to type that quote out,frame it, and gift it to my Mom for this Christmas. She loves anything to do with flowers/plants! Thank you!
C.C. |
|
|
|
stellaluna
Canada
12 Posts |
Posted - Dec 03 2007 : 3:10:08 PM
|
LOL....A friend of mine really loves Mary Engelbreit (sp?). She had a bag with that saying on it and it always stuck with me. You might even be able to find it on ebay or something.
I read what you wrote about being bullied. I wasn't but my sister was all through PS. I would see it. Sadly I would avoid her to keep myself safe. Cowardly, eh? I was in survival mode. My sister has chosen to send her kids to PS, and her oldest daughter is now receiving the same treatment that my sister did. My heart just breaks for her. In another way that the RU lifestyle is healing, I am able to be a line of communication for my niece. I wasn't there for my sister but maybe I can be for my niece. My niece is able to spend time here and delve into her interests without ridicule, judgment or anyone making fun of her weight. I only wish she could spend more time with us.
Melony
Bloom where you're planted! |
Edited by - stellaluna on Dec 03 2007 3:20:33 PM |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
|
|
Unschooling as a Healing Practice
