carnationsgalore

Allie (10) and I went out yesterday and had a much needed mom/daughter
day. We had a nice long talk about what's been going on with her
lately. Afterwards, she decided public school is probably not the best
fit for her right now.

We're going to try some other things. She opened up and talked freely
with me and also listened to suggestions that I had to help her with
feeling lonely and bored. She knows I post to this group and I told
her of the responses and suggestions I got here too.

Her one major request was to have her own laptop with a webcam so she
can make some friends online. She's been wanting a laptop for quite a
while now. I'm thankful I'm working because I now have a way to pay
for that laptop. Our finances are not great right now and our debt has
grown, so my part-time job is a way to buy extra things without guilt.
But I'm definitely looking forward to my hours reducing again next
week. My working outside the home has affected the family in ways I
didn't like. But it's been a good experience to work together to meet
everyone's needs. I'll only be working 3 hours a day soon. If not
this week, then definitely next week.

Beth M.

k

That's great about Allie, and about work hours too. Glad for you both.
Thanks for being willing to share all this online too. It helps so many of
us see what this process can look like.

~Katherine



On 9/2/08, carnationsgalore <addled.homemaker@...> wrote:
>
> Allie (10) and I went out yesterday and had a much needed mom/daughter
> day. We had a nice long talk about what's been going on with her
> lately. Afterwards, she decided public school is probably not the best
> fit for her right now.
>
> We're going to try some other things. She opened up and talked freely
> with me and also listened to suggestions that I had to help her with
> feeling lonely and bored. She knows I post to this group and I told
> her of the responses and suggestions I got here too.
>
> Her one major request was to have her own laptop with a webcam so she
> can make some friends online. She's been wanting a laptop for quite a
> while now. I'm thankful I'm working because I now have a way to pay
> for that laptop. Our finances are not great right now and our debt has
> grown, so my part-time job is a way to buy extra things without guilt.
> But I'm definitely looking forward to my hours reducing again next
> week. My working outside the home has affected the family in ways I
> didn't like. But it's been a good experience to work together to meet
> everyone's needs. I'll only be working 3 hours a day soon. If not
> this week, then definitely next week.
>
> Beth M.
>
>
>


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

ron_monach

Afterwards, she decided public school is probably not the best
> fit for her right now.
>
> We're going to try some other things. She opened up and talked freely
> with me and also listened to suggestions that I had to help her with
> feeling lonely and bored. She knows I post to this group and I told
> her of the responses and suggestions I got here too.


BETH~
Thanks for updating us about Allie. I think this is one of the greatest things about
unschoolers, and that is that we have a flexibility which allows our children to make
choices--maybe they work, maybe they don't, but they choose something and get to move
forward on their decisions. How empowering!!

This teaches them something very important, I think. I think it teaches them that it is ok
to jump---to try something they aren't totally sure about, and it is equally ok to then say
"hey, this isn't for me" and be able to move ON toward something better. And usually it is
the experience that creates a bridge they maybe couldn't see before. It sometimes gives
them that knowledge about THEMSELVES that they needed in order to grow.

It is hard as a parent to let your kids make big decisions (like attending school!) if you
don't necessarily see the good of it. I have learned that good comes from every
experience. Growth--self-knowledge, mended relationships, boosted self-esteem,
awareness.....

Good luck with Allie and her new found self!

kelley

http://www.sandandstardust.blogspot.com