Dawn Falbe

Penny: Here's an example of one of our days, which I doubt is that much
different from anyone else who unschools.

Today the temperature dropped from the 80 of yesterday into the high 50's.
When I opened the blinds in the living room this morning I noticed all my
new flower pots that are going into the new garden (when it's done) were
completely full up with mud and had crayons sticking out of them. I also
saw a pair of pants and some underwear in the mud and decided to leave it
there until later (or until Steve my DH) went and got them. Max and I built
a garage for about 15 mins then I made him some breakfast which he ate on a
towel on my bed while he watched the beginning of a Bug's Life. Zak woke up
about 7:30am and decided to make gifts for me. He took some art supplies
and wrapped up some of his toy soilders for me and also a pack of tissues.
He very carefully decorated them and then gave them to me.

Zak went off to his room to play Where in the World is Carmen San Diego? On
his computer, and also Lego Racers II. Both boys had breakfast with Steve
and helped empty the dishwasher and put the laundry on. Zak came to talk to
me about the Planets and the difference between astronomy and astrology and
what he thought the Planets should mean.

Zak spent lots of time waiting by the window for his friend Taylor to come
over at 11:45am. They went to see the Diamond Backs play the Rockies (it's
spring training here). They went with Taylor's 2 grandma's one of which
Taylor lives with. Zak didn't get home till 5pm. I worked all morning in
my office while Steve was with the boys. Steve left to have lunch with a
friend and then came back to the house to work while I and the boys were all
gone (peace and quiet for him he said it was wonderful)

Max and I got a shower and we went to the park to meet friends for a couple
of hours. Went to Target to buy new underwear for Max (lots of accidents at
the moment) and then to our Pottery Class with other unschoolers.

Steve made a wonderful pot roast and we had dinner together and talked about
our day. Zak told us all about the game and who won and where they say and
how cold it was (for Tucson) and that he'd had a hot dog and a coke and was
with Taylor's grandmas (both of them went). He seemed quieter than usual
for Zak and so I probed him a little about what he and Taylor talked about.
It turns out that Taylor had told Zak that Peter (another friend of Zak's)
hated him and so there was about an hour of dealing with the emotions that
went with that and what Zak wanted to do about the situation. He ended up
calling Peter and talking to him on the phone about their Game Boy Advanced
games and the Power Puff Girls movies. He also asked Peter for a playdate
next week. Peter was thrilled. Zak asked him about hating him and he
didn't know what Zak was talking about (personally I knew this to not be
true because of issues Taylor has in his own growing up, but I wanted Zak to
handle it). Zak's mood changed after that conversation and Zak seemed to be
more at peace with himself.

After dinner both boys helped clean up the kitchen, pick up their toys in
the common areas. Both boys went into Zak's room to have popcorn, coke and
watch the Lion King II while Steve and I went and had sex!!! Got to get it
when you can!!!! About half an hour later Max was ready to come into our
room and watch a movie in our bed and fell asleep within about 5 mins, while
Zak stayed up till 10:30pm talking about how he wanted a sleepover with
Taylor, playing with his Lego Racers Board Game, playing 5 Crowns with
Steve. He and Steve talked about what having a sleepover means, what might
happen, what he would like to happen. Steve and he read books until Zak
decided to go back to playing on his computer.

As my back (I'm having lots of problems with my back) was hurting I took a
muscle relaxer (as a last resort for the pain) and lay on the couch to watch
Law and Order (5 shows back to back on TNT). I fell asleep about 9:30pm.
Steve came and guided me to bed at 11:15pm after he'd finished doing some
work for my business.

Is this a typical day? I don't know that there is one. As I write this on
Tuesday morning Max is building with Legos in the living room while Zak is
in his bedroom watching the Great Mouse Detective and eating breakfast. He
just told us that staying up till 10:30pm was too late for him as it makes
him very emotional the next day and unable to concentrate and that he's
going to go to bed earlier in the future. He said he needs time away from
Max and that's why he's in his room. He's looking forward to Elliott coming
over in a couple of hours (best friend since born).....

What I do know is that there is no weekend in our house. Each day is just
each day. We do the next thing whatever that may be. Sometimes it involves
going out, staying in, talking, reading, watching videos, having playdates,
library, park, me working, Steve working, me with the kids, him with the
kids, going to homeschooling events, such as Roots and Shoots or the park
meetings.... Anyway enough of my rambling Penny, I hope this helps.

One last thing. This biggest change for us has been about letting go of
control and just trusting that our kids know what they need and following
their desires. Reading about deschooling ourselves was very helpful and
also having a great support system.

Good luck with your journey.

Dawn F.
Tucson, AZ