Susan Fuerst

>>>>>>>>>>In a message dated 8/29/2004 8:32:46 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

neilinda@... writes:

~"Or,alternatively, what an unschool lifestyle is all
about. I really work on acceptance....I just want
some friends!"

i can so relate to this, but don't give up... they're out there. <<<<


Pam g writes:
We get together when we can and e mail often. It is a lot of work
to stay in touch. I started the NCUnschoolers yahoo list so that the
unschoolers from around the state could be "in touch". That has been a
tremendous
help. I do drive a lot but it has been worth it, making friends across
the
state. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<,,,

I know that's part of it for me...the alienation from school(and
'school-parents') friends as well as from school-at-home types. I can
relate to the "I just want some friends"!

I recently opened up the issues with a friend/parent who started her
child in all day kindergarten this year. We are sad for them, and I
(naturally) think it is practically criminal to stick a five year old is
school all day!

The mom thinks we can maintain a friendship as long as we respect each
other's choices. This can get difficult for me...what did someone say
about longing to have them truly 'see' what school does and is. I had
told her about some parents who decided their children couldn't come
over to play because they want to be taken out of school, and being
around others who have that opportunity, and live it joyfully, causes
strife for weeks in their household. The Mom I talked to says she
thinks the world of my children, and 'as long as they don't speak
negatively about how (her dd) is schooled, that she thinks they will
maintain the friendship." But honestly, my children do feel negatively
about school...and are happy with our lifestyle. So even without
verbalizing it, they can cause others to question their lifestyle. I
guess it's possible to have some relationship, though it will have
enough necessary differences due to scheduling, etc, already; plus one
more topic that is basically 'off limits' along with religion and
politics!

Also, regarding what Pam said about lots of driving - I think that works
for lots. It has been hard for me due to a basically homebody
preference; in addition to having four children and one on the way, plus
trying to be frugal with transportation costs.....but it's worth a
re-examine to find what works for the youngsters. I also like the idea
of a weekly play plan, though vaguely tried that last year...it fizzled;
so I thought I'd try the club idea....must get over that 'fear of
failure' issue and dive in!!

Susan

[email protected]

In a message dated 8/29/2004 3:57:46 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
fuerst@... writes:

I also like the idea
of a weekly play plan, though vaguely tried that last year...it fizzled;<<<<

Another thing that we (me and an unschooling friend) was to start a free
day. WE started out calling it that because the kids wouldn't come there to
study. We found a local boys and girls club, they have after school programs
for school kids but the facility wasn't used during the day. They had a gym
and gym type equipment, pool tables, computers, fooz ball table, table hockey,
games, tables and chairs, bumper pool. We hammered out arrangements for
price per child and basically we had the gym to ourselves with the agreement that
we would be out in time for their after school program and we would clean up
after ourselves.

It worked out great. WE opened it up to all homeschool kids and found that
unschoolers were the only ones with a free enough schedule to come. LOL it
started off slow but by the end of the year we had 30 kids coming. The thing
that was better than a park day was that we came even if it was raining, and
even older kids enjoyed. It was so nice to see all ages playing together.
The kids would go from one game to another as they liked. We had no
preplanned games or activities it was up to the kids what they did. Some kids would
draw while others would just shoot the basket ball around. Then more would
join in on the basketball and some would go play something else. Very free and
nice. I drove about 25 minutes but we had some that would drive about 1 1/2
hours to come.

Just another thought,
Pam G


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