Ideas for becoming "more interesting" :-)
DaBreeze21
Hello again--
First I want to thank all of you who so patiently answer all of these
newbie questions :-) The more I read, the better I understand; but,
when I look back on some of my previous posts I am a little
embarrassed (because most of the information can be found without
posting). I really appreciate all of the responses from those of you
with more experience - it must feel like you are answering the same
questions a lot though!
So, I feel like I have been on an unschooling "high" for about a month
now and am slowly coming down. This list has been kind of like a drug
for me - I can't get enough (It's definitely the best one that I
joined)! The advice given to "chill" and to start living the
principles with my husband and daughter is the best though. So that is
the direction I am trying to move in now.
I am feeling a little bit... I don't know what word I am looking for
here -- unprepared... overwhelmed... oh, I guess INADEQUATE would be
the best. I have actually always considered myself a pretty
interesting person -- my passions range from different sports, to
science, to music -- playing instruments, singing, dancing... I grew
up on a farm, and then taught in the city. However, when I read about
some of your lives I don't feel all that "sparkly". Part of my problem
I think is that I am in "deschooling" mode for myself right now....
School WAS my life (as a student and then a teacher) until my daughter
was born 2 years ago. I am with my daughter every day and watch a
little boy that is her age and I LOVE it, which is why I love the idea
of unschooling and continuing this way of life. His mom (the little
boy I watch) suggested a "loose curriculum" and I kind of half
heartedly agreed, but have not done anything like that (I love NOT
having "lesson plans" now that I am not a teacher!)
This is getting long again (stream of consciousness)... I want to
start working towards becoming a more INTERESTING and INTERESTED
person now.... while my daughter is still little... I am just so used
to the "school way" (and this goes back to the research idea too) that
I'm not sure how to break out of that mold. I know people have said
little things -- Like going to a new store, going a different way to
places etc. I feel so lazy sometimes though -- like in my mind I am
not an "activity" or "crafty" person (some things that might be great
for 2 year olds) and I also feel like I just don't KNOW that much -- I
was GREAT at school (learn it all and dump it out). I'm not sure if
this is part of me just "deschooling" or something I can "work" on...
Any suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated... I'm trying to get out
of "schooly research" mode (been reading and LOVING this stuff for a
few months now) and more into LET'S DO THIS mode!
thanks!
Susan
First I want to thank all of you who so patiently answer all of these
newbie questions :-) The more I read, the better I understand; but,
when I look back on some of my previous posts I am a little
embarrassed (because most of the information can be found without
posting). I really appreciate all of the responses from those of you
with more experience - it must feel like you are answering the same
questions a lot though!
So, I feel like I have been on an unschooling "high" for about a month
now and am slowly coming down. This list has been kind of like a drug
for me - I can't get enough (It's definitely the best one that I
joined)! The advice given to "chill" and to start living the
principles with my husband and daughter is the best though. So that is
the direction I am trying to move in now.
I am feeling a little bit... I don't know what word I am looking for
here -- unprepared... overwhelmed... oh, I guess INADEQUATE would be
the best. I have actually always considered myself a pretty
interesting person -- my passions range from different sports, to
science, to music -- playing instruments, singing, dancing... I grew
up on a farm, and then taught in the city. However, when I read about
some of your lives I don't feel all that "sparkly". Part of my problem
I think is that I am in "deschooling" mode for myself right now....
School WAS my life (as a student and then a teacher) until my daughter
was born 2 years ago. I am with my daughter every day and watch a
little boy that is her age and I LOVE it, which is why I love the idea
of unschooling and continuing this way of life. His mom (the little
boy I watch) suggested a "loose curriculum" and I kind of half
heartedly agreed, but have not done anything like that (I love NOT
having "lesson plans" now that I am not a teacher!)
This is getting long again (stream of consciousness)... I want to
start working towards becoming a more INTERESTING and INTERESTED
person now.... while my daughter is still little... I am just so used
to the "school way" (and this goes back to the research idea too) that
I'm not sure how to break out of that mold. I know people have said
little things -- Like going to a new store, going a different way to
places etc. I feel so lazy sometimes though -- like in my mind I am
not an "activity" or "crafty" person (some things that might be great
for 2 year olds) and I also feel like I just don't KNOW that much -- I
was GREAT at school (learn it all and dump it out). I'm not sure if
this is part of me just "deschooling" or something I can "work" on...
Any suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated... I'm trying to get out
of "schooly research" mode (been reading and LOVING this stuff for a
few months now) and more into LET'S DO THIS mode!
thanks!
Susan
Cameron Parham
Susan, apparently about a month into unschooling says " I am feeling a little bit... I don't know what word I am looking for
here -- unprepared.. . overwhelmed. .. oh, I guess INADEQUATE would be the best."
This post speaks to me and helps me clarify a question that I have. We've been unschooling/deschooling for 13 months. Still very new. We are still very happy with this lifestyle. But here is my question: the kids say they are bored. I offer 'field trips' and inevitably 1 or 2 (of my 3 kids) don't want to do them. Even if they asked for it. We've all had a lot of viral illnesses this winter, and the unschooling journey has very clearly meshed with some intense psychological work, which as we all know is tiring. Anyway, our days have a 'doldrum-y' feeling. We all seem to feel stuck, and yet so far the kids resist my ideas to bring the world home or go out and see it up close. Sometimes the kids seem really happy and sometims very unhappy. Is this an unsurprising phase? I think that I'd like to trust this phase and just ride with it. But I don't want to miss something I could do to make this beter for us all; we could use it. Thanks...Cameron
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
here -- unprepared.. . overwhelmed. .. oh, I guess INADEQUATE would be the best."
This post speaks to me and helps me clarify a question that I have. We've been unschooling/deschooling for 13 months. Still very new. We are still very happy with this lifestyle. But here is my question: the kids say they are bored. I offer 'field trips' and inevitably 1 or 2 (of my 3 kids) don't want to do them. Even if they asked for it. We've all had a lot of viral illnesses this winter, and the unschooling journey has very clearly meshed with some intense psychological work, which as we all know is tiring. Anyway, our days have a 'doldrum-y' feeling. We all seem to feel stuck, and yet so far the kids resist my ideas to bring the world home or go out and see it up close. Sometimes the kids seem really happy and sometims very unhappy. Is this an unsurprising phase? I think that I'd like to trust this phase and just ride with it. But I don't want to miss something I could do to make this beter for us all; we could use it. Thanks...Cameron
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Joanna Wilkinson
<I offer 'field trips' and inevitably 1 or 2 (of my 3 kids) don't
want to do them. >
So do you just not go?
What about the 1 or 2 that did want to go? What about if you really
wanted to go?
Things I've done in this situation:
Make sure the day before that everyone is definitely in on the plans.
If not. Try to arrange a good alternative for the ones that aren't.
Like, going to a friends, going to work with dad, going to grandmoms,
and as they got older, staying home.
If the day came and one (or two)changed their mind, I would ask them
to come along anyway if we couldn't arrange for anything else. It
would be doing me a favor. Unless they really didn't feel well, they
would come and usually be happy that they had.
It's not always going to work out smoothly, but brainstorming for all
involved (including you) might get you out and about more.
We can't help but going outside these days.
The warmth is finally coming back. I see little green buds on the
trees! Today is suppose to get into the 70's here in MD.
I've been day dreaming about laying in the warm sand on the beach.
Maybe we'll go today!
Joanna W.
want to do them. >
So do you just not go?
What about the 1 or 2 that did want to go? What about if you really
wanted to go?
Things I've done in this situation:
Make sure the day before that everyone is definitely in on the plans.
If not. Try to arrange a good alternative for the ones that aren't.
Like, going to a friends, going to work with dad, going to grandmoms,
and as they got older, staying home.
If the day came and one (or two)changed their mind, I would ask them
to come along anyway if we couldn't arrange for anything else. It
would be doing me a favor. Unless they really didn't feel well, they
would come and usually be happy that they had.
It's not always going to work out smoothly, but brainstorming for all
involved (including you) might get you out and about more.
We can't help but going outside these days.
The warmth is finally coming back. I see little green buds on the
trees! Today is suppose to get into the 70's here in MD.
I've been day dreaming about laying in the warm sand on the beach.
Maybe we'll go today!
Joanna W.
Sandra Dodd
-=-the kids say they are bored. I offer 'field trips' and inevitably
1 or 2 (of my 3 kids) don't want to do them. -=-
When you and your husband were first dating, did you go on field
trips? What kinds of things did you do? That's what you can do
with your kids. Something fun, interesting, memorable. Not "field
trips."
If you're willing to tell us where you are, or at least what kind of
place you're in, we could help you brainstorm.
-=-We all seem to feel stuck, and yet so far the kids resist my ideas
to bring the world home or go out and see it up close. Sometimes the
kids seem really happy and sometims very unhappy. Is this an
unsurprising phase? I think that I'd like to trust this phase and
just ride with it. But I don't want to miss something I could do to
make this beter for us all; we could use it. -=-
It's not unsurprising, and I understand your desire to unravel it now
instead of letting it slowly untangle.
-=-the kids resist my ideas to bring the world home or go out and see
it up close-=-
It might help to remind yourself that your home IS in the world, and
that the world is in your home. Are you northern hemisphere? If so,
it's getting on time to open the windows! (unless you're in Phoenix
where it's already too hot, or Minnesota where it's still snowing)
One of the easiest one-thing-leads-to-another things is the
internet. I have some launch-pad places here:
http://thinkingsticks.blogspot.com
http://sandradodd.com/history
http://sandradodd.com/music
http://sandradodd.com/art
You don't really even need to engage your kids in those things, just
explore them yourself, if anything on any of those looks interesting,
and each thing can lead to other things and soon you're everywhere!
Today I'm going shopping with Marty, for more black pants for his
job. He only has one pair, and they have a bleach splash on the
bottom of one leg from when he worked at the grocery store. We will
not *just* shop for pants. We'll probably look around the store
some, maybe get a snack or a meal, maybe think about a gift for
someone, and he'll tell me about the gaming sessions he ran last
night. I printed out character sheets for him, and I centered the
half-page image in the middle of heavy, brown paper and told him it
was the closest to a rock I could make them. The game is called Og
and it's a cave-man themed RPG.
Holly's boyfriend bought her a new phone yesterday. Hers was lost on
a roller coaster last weekend (or somewhere at the amusement park).
I went with them, because I could get a discount on a phone if I
renewed my contract. The crummy little phone I have is fine for me.
Holly needs a camera and spiffy this'n'that. I just need to be able
to call Holly. They took me to the mechanic to pick up Keith's car
because he had the air conditioning charged up so we can better
survive driving to Austin next weekend to see Kirby, our oldest! I
paid for the service on my Amazon card, and with that I'll get points
with which I can buy the book Heidi just recommended on
UnschoolingDiscussion@...
Once the pump is primed, everything starts to connect and the world
swirls through and around you.
This might help you trust that it will happen:
http://sandradodd.com/substance
and it has links to other useful things.
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
1 or 2 (of my 3 kids) don't want to do them. -=-
When you and your husband were first dating, did you go on field
trips? What kinds of things did you do? That's what you can do
with your kids. Something fun, interesting, memorable. Not "field
trips."
If you're willing to tell us where you are, or at least what kind of
place you're in, we could help you brainstorm.
-=-We all seem to feel stuck, and yet so far the kids resist my ideas
to bring the world home or go out and see it up close. Sometimes the
kids seem really happy and sometims very unhappy. Is this an
unsurprising phase? I think that I'd like to trust this phase and
just ride with it. But I don't want to miss something I could do to
make this beter for us all; we could use it. -=-
It's not unsurprising, and I understand your desire to unravel it now
instead of letting it slowly untangle.
-=-the kids resist my ideas to bring the world home or go out and see
it up close-=-
It might help to remind yourself that your home IS in the world, and
that the world is in your home. Are you northern hemisphere? If so,
it's getting on time to open the windows! (unless you're in Phoenix
where it's already too hot, or Minnesota where it's still snowing)
One of the easiest one-thing-leads-to-another things is the
internet. I have some launch-pad places here:
http://thinkingsticks.blogspot.com
http://sandradodd.com/history
http://sandradodd.com/music
http://sandradodd.com/art
You don't really even need to engage your kids in those things, just
explore them yourself, if anything on any of those looks interesting,
and each thing can lead to other things and soon you're everywhere!
Today I'm going shopping with Marty, for more black pants for his
job. He only has one pair, and they have a bleach splash on the
bottom of one leg from when he worked at the grocery store. We will
not *just* shop for pants. We'll probably look around the store
some, maybe get a snack or a meal, maybe think about a gift for
someone, and he'll tell me about the gaming sessions he ran last
night. I printed out character sheets for him, and I centered the
half-page image in the middle of heavy, brown paper and told him it
was the closest to a rock I could make them. The game is called Og
and it's a cave-man themed RPG.
Holly's boyfriend bought her a new phone yesterday. Hers was lost on
a roller coaster last weekend (or somewhere at the amusement park).
I went with them, because I could get a discount on a phone if I
renewed my contract. The crummy little phone I have is fine for me.
Holly needs a camera and spiffy this'n'that. I just need to be able
to call Holly. They took me to the mechanic to pick up Keith's car
because he had the air conditioning charged up so we can better
survive driving to Austin next weekend to see Kirby, our oldest! I
paid for the service on my Amazon card, and with that I'll get points
with which I can buy the book Heidi just recommended on
UnschoolingDiscussion@...
Once the pump is primed, everything starts to connect and the world
swirls through and around you.
This might help you trust that it will happen:
http://sandradodd.com/substance
and it has links to other useful things.
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
melissa_hice
--- In [email protected], Sandra Dodd <Sandra@...> wrote:
part on the Russian Nesting Dolls. One of my sisters lives in Russia
with her family of 5 kids and husband. They are missionaries. I'm
not sure I agree with all that they do as far as their mission work
goes, but they do send back cool things, like Matryoshka dolls! I
have two sets and my dd has three sets. They are so much fun. Megan
and Matthew and I all watched the Sesame Street Youtube on the
Nesting Dolls and enjoyed it!
There is a book at our library called, "The Littlest Matryoshka" by
Corinne Demas Bliss which Megan has checked out several times. She
asked me to go to the library website and order that book again.
Thanks, Sandra, for sending that link.
Off we go to play with nesting dolls!
Melissa
>I went to the thinkingsticks blogspot and was so excited to see the
>>
>
> One of the easiest one-thing-leads-to-another things is the
> internet. I have some launch-pad places here:
> http://thinkingsticks.blogspot.com
> http://sandradodd.com/history
> http://sandradodd.com/music
> http://sandradodd.com/art
>
>>
part on the Russian Nesting Dolls. One of my sisters lives in Russia
with her family of 5 kids and husband. They are missionaries. I'm
not sure I agree with all that they do as far as their mission work
goes, but they do send back cool things, like Matryoshka dolls! I
have two sets and my dd has three sets. They are so much fun. Megan
and Matthew and I all watched the Sesame Street Youtube on the
Nesting Dolls and enjoyed it!
There is a book at our library called, "The Littlest Matryoshka" by
Corinne Demas Bliss which Megan has checked out several times. She
asked me to go to the library website and order that book again.
Thanks, Sandra, for sending that link.
Off we go to play with nesting dolls!
Melissa
Pamela Sorooshian
On Apr 18, 2008, at 5:51 AM, Joanna Wilkinson wrote:
anything, go anywhere, for a really long time after he got out of
school. She'd always invite him, but let it go if he didn't want to
go. She and her younger son went anyway and had a great a time. One
day, Cameron calmly just joined them. Pretty soon he was an eager
participant.
-pam
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> So do you just not go?Right. Kelly Lovejoy talks about how Cameron didn't want to do
> What about the 1 or 2 that did want to go? What about if you really
> wanted to go?
anything, go anywhere, for a really long time after he got out of
school. She'd always invite him, but let it go if he didn't want to
go. She and her younger son went anyway and had a great a time. One
day, Cameron calmly just joined them. Pretty soon he was an eager
participant.
-pam
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Sandra Dodd
--I feel like I have been on an unschooling "high" for about a month
now and am slowly coming down. This list has been kind of like a drug
for me - I can't get enough -=-
I've seen my kids get that excited about things they were doing and
learning. When they're really fascinated and excited about something
it seems like a drug for them. It's cool to be around. I think it's
way more healthy than being around people who shut down years ago,
having decided only dupes will do anything they don't have to do.
-=-I am feeling a little bit... I don't know what word I am looking
for here -- unprepared... overwhelmed... oh, I guess INADEQUATE would
be the best.-=-
Apprehensive is better, I think. And it's another learning word!
Maybe you're alert with the anticipation that something big is going
to happen and you're not sure what it is. Tony sang about it in West
Side Story. <bwg> I'm sure your adventure will have a MUCH better
end that Tony's did! It's safer! Bigger, but safer.
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
now and am slowly coming down. This list has been kind of like a drug
for me - I can't get enough -=-
I've seen my kids get that excited about things they were doing and
learning. When they're really fascinated and excited about something
it seems like a drug for them. It's cool to be around. I think it's
way more healthy than being around people who shut down years ago,
having decided only dupes will do anything they don't have to do.
-=-I am feeling a little bit... I don't know what word I am looking
for here -- unprepared... overwhelmed... oh, I guess INADEQUATE would
be the best.-=-
Apprehensive is better, I think. And it's another learning word!
Maybe you're alert with the anticipation that something big is going
to happen and you're not sure what it is. Tony sang about it in West
Side Story. <bwg> I'm sure your adventure will have a MUCH better
end that Tony's did! It's safer! Bigger, but safer.
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]