cults and such
[email protected]
I can't find the thread. I haven't been able to read mail in two weeks,
so I'm not sure how far back it goes---and I must've accidentally
deleted the post I wanted to respond to. But it was about spending time
with unschooling families. Someone stated that it seemed too "cultish"
to be hanging out with other unschoolers.
Well, I choose to drink that Kool-aid.
I have friends who aren't unschoolers. Most don't have children.
Several are/were teachers. <G> But there seems to be something missing.
Gail Higgins (of GailandBroc) was here the night after the conference,
on her way back down to Florida. We were talking about how much fun we
had at the conference---and how much fun we have with other unschoolers
(probably about the same time this thread came down the pipe---I just
hadn't read it yet! <g>)
Ben and I have a GREAT time with GailandBroc. In fact, we're meeting
them next weekend at a B&B near Charlotte, NC---no kids (Logan and
Cameron are at NBTSCamp, Brenna's at college, and Duncan is fishing
with my dad).
But Gail and I were talking the other night about how much FUN
unschooling *parents* are. The PARENTS are FUN.
They don't whine about their children, their jobs, their lives. They've
undergone this paradigm shift that makes them fun to be around. They're
joy-seekers---joy-FINDERS. They're waaay more willing to try new
things, go new places---and just *enjoy* life. Way more so than any
other group I've ever been with.
At the conference, several members of the staff at the BRA commented on
how engaged and fun the parents were. They were IN the pool with the
kids---not reading books on the pool deck. They were DOING the
challenge courses with the kids---not watching from the ground. There
were parents, in costume, at the ball---AND dancing. They MODEL the
exciting and joy-filled life we want for our children.
They're different.
Child-like. Exuberant. Risk-takers. Fun.
Screw the children. <g> THESE are FUN people to hang around!
If---no, WHEN---the children are gone, these are the folks *I* want to
still have as friends. The children GOT us together, but several of us
have children gone or almost gone---so it's not the kids who are
keeping our friendships alive. It's the "aliveness" of the parents.
Ben and I have mostly drifted away from many of the folks we grew up
with, went to college with, met through the Air Force, and have as
neighbors. They're simply not as fun as unschooling parents.
So---I fully accept seeming like a cult member, but it's a damn fine
cult. <BWG> A FUN cult. And we're hosting another house concert in two
weeks. I know there will be a few FUN friends who show up!
~Kelly
Kelly Lovejoy
Conference Coordinator
Live and Learn Unschooling Conference
http://www.LiveandLearnConference.org
so I'm not sure how far back it goes---and I must've accidentally
deleted the post I wanted to respond to. But it was about spending time
with unschooling families. Someone stated that it seemed too "cultish"
to be hanging out with other unschoolers.
Well, I choose to drink that Kool-aid.
I have friends who aren't unschoolers. Most don't have children.
Several are/were teachers. <G> But there seems to be something missing.
Gail Higgins (of GailandBroc) was here the night after the conference,
on her way back down to Florida. We were talking about how much fun we
had at the conference---and how much fun we have with other unschoolers
(probably about the same time this thread came down the pipe---I just
hadn't read it yet! <g>)
Ben and I have a GREAT time with GailandBroc. In fact, we're meeting
them next weekend at a B&B near Charlotte, NC---no kids (Logan and
Cameron are at NBTSCamp, Brenna's at college, and Duncan is fishing
with my dad).
But Gail and I were talking the other night about how much FUN
unschooling *parents* are. The PARENTS are FUN.
They don't whine about their children, their jobs, their lives. They've
undergone this paradigm shift that makes them fun to be around. They're
joy-seekers---joy-FINDERS. They're waaay more willing to try new
things, go new places---and just *enjoy* life. Way more so than any
other group I've ever been with.
At the conference, several members of the staff at the BRA commented on
how engaged and fun the parents were. They were IN the pool with the
kids---not reading books on the pool deck. They were DOING the
challenge courses with the kids---not watching from the ground. There
were parents, in costume, at the ball---AND dancing. They MODEL the
exciting and joy-filled life we want for our children.
They're different.
Child-like. Exuberant. Risk-takers. Fun.
Screw the children. <g> THESE are FUN people to hang around!
If---no, WHEN---the children are gone, these are the folks *I* want to
still have as friends. The children GOT us together, but several of us
have children gone or almost gone---so it's not the kids who are
keeping our friendships alive. It's the "aliveness" of the parents.
Ben and I have mostly drifted away from many of the folks we grew up
with, went to college with, met through the Air Force, and have as
neighbors. They're simply not as fun as unschooling parents.
So---I fully accept seeming like a cult member, but it's a damn fine
cult. <BWG> A FUN cult. And we're hosting another house concert in two
weeks. I know there will be a few FUN friends who show up!
~Kelly
Kelly Lovejoy
Conference Coordinator
Live and Learn Unschooling Conference
http://www.LiveandLearnConference.org
k
Well yes! The kool-aid's fine. Come on in. I mean it (no snarkiness
here).
But until such a time as one finds/meets/gathers an unschooling tribe, one
wouldn't want to wait around for it to happen. Karl needs people. I moved
from TN with a grand tribe... a fun bunch of people! Wow. To upstate SC
where unschoolers don't appear to be thriving. If I'm wrong please correct
me! I don't see why it's like that. There's some great unschoolers here.
And in the meantime until a tribe is gathered, there are others to infect
with the "fun" bug if I can. If not maybe in the process of looking, I can
run into a circle of unschoolers to hang with. The communities are *much*
more far flung in my area than that in TN, and that may be why I don't know
but a handful where I'm living now. Plus I've only been back here this
summer and it was really hot weather for going to park days.
Some unschoolers I've met are more resigned with their *not*
unschooling-friendly crowd than happy. So many of them seem to feel
obligated to be around extended family and other folk who don't seem to ever
want to get it. Some have spouses unfriendly to unschooling. Many don't
know how to keep their spirits from flagging. I know. Blah blah blah..
problems problems. I am determined to be happy and I know it may take time
to find like minded people in my area and lots of relaxing into the social
scene (let's face it I've not pushed myself too hard and it *is* a skill).
Until now ... if it was easy (TN), I did well -- if it's not, I'm tempted to
get like an absent minded professor and burrow down into my well-entrenched
warren a little more deeply. Don't want to go back to doing that. :)
~Katherine
here).
But until such a time as one finds/meets/gathers an unschooling tribe, one
wouldn't want to wait around for it to happen. Karl needs people. I moved
from TN with a grand tribe... a fun bunch of people! Wow. To upstate SC
where unschoolers don't appear to be thriving. If I'm wrong please correct
me! I don't see why it's like that. There's some great unschoolers here.
And in the meantime until a tribe is gathered, there are others to infect
with the "fun" bug if I can. If not maybe in the process of looking, I can
run into a circle of unschoolers to hang with. The communities are *much*
more far flung in my area than that in TN, and that may be why I don't know
but a handful where I'm living now. Plus I've only been back here this
summer and it was really hot weather for going to park days.
Some unschoolers I've met are more resigned with their *not*
unschooling-friendly crowd than happy. So many of them seem to feel
obligated to be around extended family and other folk who don't seem to ever
want to get it. Some have spouses unfriendly to unschooling. Many don't
know how to keep their spirits from flagging. I know. Blah blah blah..
problems problems. I am determined to be happy and I know it may take time
to find like minded people in my area and lots of relaxing into the social
scene (let's face it I've not pushed myself too hard and it *is* a skill).
Until now ... if it was easy (TN), I did well -- if it's not, I'm tempted to
get like an absent minded professor and burrow down into my well-entrenched
warren a little more deeply. Don't want to go back to doing that. :)
~Katherine
On 9/11/08, kbcdlovejo@... <kbcdlovejo@...> wrote:
>
> I can't find the thread. I haven't been able to read mail in two weeks,
> so I'm not sure how far back it goes---and I must've accidentally
> deleted the post I wanted to respond to. But it was about spending time
> with unschooling families. Someone stated that it seemed too "cultish"
> to be hanging out with other unschoolers.
>
> Well, I choose to drink that Kool-aid.
>
> I have friends who aren't unschoolers. Most don't have children.
> Several are/were teachers. <G> But there seems to be something missing.
>
> Gail Higgins (of GailandBroc) was here the night after the conference,
> on her way back down to Florida. We were talking about how much fun we
> had at the conference---and how much fun we have with other unschoolers
> (probably about the same time this thread came down the pipe---I just
> hadn't read it yet! <g>)
>
> Ben and I have a GREAT time with GailandBroc. In fact, we're meeting
> them next weekend at a B&B near Charlotte, NC---no kids (Logan and
> Cameron are at NBTSCamp, Brenna's at college, and Duncan is fishing
> with my dad).
>
> But Gail and I were talking the other night about how much FUN
> unschooling *parents* are. The PARENTS are FUN.
>
> They don't whine about their children, their jobs, their lives. They've
> undergone this paradigm shift that makes them fun to be around. They're
> joy-seekers---joy-FINDERS. They're waaay more willing to try new
> things, go new places---and just *enjoy* life. Way more so than any
> other group I've ever been with.
>
> At the conference, several members of the staff at the BRA commented on
> how engaged and fun the parents were. They were IN the pool with the
> kids---not reading books on the pool deck. They were DOING the
> challenge courses with the kids---not watching from the ground. There
> were parents, in costume, at the ball---AND dancing. They MODEL the
> exciting and joy-filled life we want for our children.
>
> They're different.
>
> Child-like. Exuberant. Risk-takers. Fun.
>
> Screw the children. <g> THESE are FUN people to hang around!
>
> If---no, WHEN---the children are gone, these are the folks *I* want to
> still have as friends. The children GOT us together, but several of us
> have children gone or almost gone---so it's not the kids who are
> keeping our friendships alive. It's the "aliveness" of the parents.
>
> Ben and I have mostly drifted away from many of the folks we grew up
> with, went to college with, met through the Air Force, and have as
> neighbors. They're simply not as fun as unschooling parents.
>
> So---I fully accept seeming like a cult member, but it's a damn fine
> cult. <BWG> A FUN cult. And we're hosting another house concert in two
> weeks. I know there will be a few FUN friends who show up!
>
> ~Kelly
>
> Kelly Lovejoy
> Conference Coordinator
> Live and Learn Unschooling Conference
> http://www.LiveandLearnConference.org
>
>
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Ren Allen
~~
At the conference, several members of the staff at the BRA commented on
how engaged and fun the parents were. They were IN the pool with the
kids---not reading books on the pool deck.~~
I wondered about that!
As one of the parents that chose NOT to swim, I looked around the pool
and wondered if the staff noticed the PROFOUND difference in the
parent/child interactions. There was a pool full of kids and parents
laughing and interacting joyfully.
Nobody was being shamed or yelled at or threatened. Challenges were
handled respectfully....and there were so very few of those. I had to
wonder if the staff noticed how joyful the ENTIRE time at the pool
was. I guess it hit me down there more than anywhere else because
normally at pools we really see some ugly behavior from adults!
Cool that they did notice.:)
I was talking to parents on the pool deck and making ATC's. Happily
staying dry. Scott swam four hours one day...I'm not sure he's fully
recovered yet.
Ren
At the conference, several members of the staff at the BRA commented on
how engaged and fun the parents were. They were IN the pool with the
kids---not reading books on the pool deck.~~
I wondered about that!
As one of the parents that chose NOT to swim, I looked around the pool
and wondered if the staff noticed the PROFOUND difference in the
parent/child interactions. There was a pool full of kids and parents
laughing and interacting joyfully.
Nobody was being shamed or yelled at or threatened. Challenges were
handled respectfully....and there were so very few of those. I had to
wonder if the staff noticed how joyful the ENTIRE time at the pool
was. I guess it hit me down there more than anywhere else because
normally at pools we really see some ugly behavior from adults!
Cool that they did notice.:)
I was talking to parents on the pool deck and making ATC's. Happily
staying dry. Scott swam four hours one day...I'm not sure he's fully
recovered yet.
Ren
Sandra Dodd
-=-So---I fully accept seeming like a cult member, but it's a damn fine
cult. <BWG> A FUN cult. -=-
Keith and I used to do costume parties before we had kids. We met
in an SCA madrigal group. (We did SCA, speaking of "costume
parties," but I was thinking of regular Halloween and masquerade
stuff in the first sentence.)
When i was pregnant with Kirby, we went to "a hat party" of Sperry
employees (before Honeywell bought them). Keith wore a brass and
steel and fur helmet with deer antlers on it. I wore a leather
biker's sloop cap, and on my pregnant belly I had a frilly eyelet
baby cap.
Of the others there, most were wearing non-descript baseball caps or
boring conservative gardening hats, or nothing. But two guys stood
out. One had a German ski-cap with pins from lots of European ski
resorts. One guy had a helicopter test-pilot's helmet!
Only thing was, the first guy was a skier and had been to all those
resorts, and the other guy was a helicoper test pilot. It's not that
those things aren't cool, it's just that neither of them "wore a hat"
in the sense that he thought of a fun thing to do just for the sake
of the party.
We were invited to a party where people said "bring a game." We
owned tons of cool games, but we happened by a video arcade that day
that had some games for sale. For $150, I think, we bought "Amidar,"
and took it to the party in the back of the pickup we already had.
We set it to 100 free plays and let people have at it. Then we took
it home, had a baby, and here's Kirby playing that game at our house,
later:
http://s26.photobucket.com/albums/c111/SandraDodd/Kirby/?
action=view¤t=kirbybabyamidar.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c111/SandraDodd/Kirby/
kirbybabyamidar.jpg
When I was pregnant with Marty, I went to a New Year's Eve party as a
giant Hershey's kiss. Keith made it. There was a circle of
cardboard behind me, and I made a long ribbon version of the paper
that (used to, I don't think they have them anymore) sticks out, and
Keith wrapped the whole thing in aluminum foil. Marty was born two
weeks later.
This made it EASY for us to get unschooling. It made it easier for
people who have met our family to get unschooling. It keeps us from
needing other unschooling families as much as some people do, because
our longtime childless friends also make costumes and go on
adventures and have very cool hobbies.
Someone with a keen interest in the Middle Ages can do lots of stuff
at home, alone, but they can't eat a feast by candlelight with 200
others. They can't cook for 200 others, even. They can make armor,
but they can't test it out without another friend in armor. They
could listen to tons of madrigals and medieval partsongs, but they
can't create them in the dark in the mountains without other friends
who know them too.
So maybe I'm not saying at all that people couldn't use having "a
cult" of likeminded friends, just that Keith and I already had that.
So maybe the best thing that conferences do for those who just
haven't quite gotten unschooling to work is to give them examples and
feedback. If a dad can see another dad scoop up "a big kid" happily
and carry him even though he's "a big boy and old enough to walk," or
can see a mom "pause" an adult exchange and ask a whiny kid what he
wants instead of motioning him away or threatening him, then they
will have a more visceral, physical understanding than they will get
reading here with people saying "respect your child's needs."
You don't have to have those people every single day, but it helps to
figure out ways to have them from time to time.
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
cult. <BWG> A FUN cult. -=-
Keith and I used to do costume parties before we had kids. We met
in an SCA madrigal group. (We did SCA, speaking of "costume
parties," but I was thinking of regular Halloween and masquerade
stuff in the first sentence.)
When i was pregnant with Kirby, we went to "a hat party" of Sperry
employees (before Honeywell bought them). Keith wore a brass and
steel and fur helmet with deer antlers on it. I wore a leather
biker's sloop cap, and on my pregnant belly I had a frilly eyelet
baby cap.
Of the others there, most were wearing non-descript baseball caps or
boring conservative gardening hats, or nothing. But two guys stood
out. One had a German ski-cap with pins from lots of European ski
resorts. One guy had a helicopter test-pilot's helmet!
Only thing was, the first guy was a skier and had been to all those
resorts, and the other guy was a helicoper test pilot. It's not that
those things aren't cool, it's just that neither of them "wore a hat"
in the sense that he thought of a fun thing to do just for the sake
of the party.
We were invited to a party where people said "bring a game." We
owned tons of cool games, but we happened by a video arcade that day
that had some games for sale. For $150, I think, we bought "Amidar,"
and took it to the party in the back of the pickup we already had.
We set it to 100 free plays and let people have at it. Then we took
it home, had a baby, and here's Kirby playing that game at our house,
later:
http://s26.photobucket.com/albums/c111/SandraDodd/Kirby/?
action=view¤t=kirbybabyamidar.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c111/SandraDodd/Kirby/
kirbybabyamidar.jpg
When I was pregnant with Marty, I went to a New Year's Eve party as a
giant Hershey's kiss. Keith made it. There was a circle of
cardboard behind me, and I made a long ribbon version of the paper
that (used to, I don't think they have them anymore) sticks out, and
Keith wrapped the whole thing in aluminum foil. Marty was born two
weeks later.
This made it EASY for us to get unschooling. It made it easier for
people who have met our family to get unschooling. It keeps us from
needing other unschooling families as much as some people do, because
our longtime childless friends also make costumes and go on
adventures and have very cool hobbies.
Someone with a keen interest in the Middle Ages can do lots of stuff
at home, alone, but they can't eat a feast by candlelight with 200
others. They can't cook for 200 others, even. They can make armor,
but they can't test it out without another friend in armor. They
could listen to tons of madrigals and medieval partsongs, but they
can't create them in the dark in the mountains without other friends
who know them too.
So maybe I'm not saying at all that people couldn't use having "a
cult" of likeminded friends, just that Keith and I already had that.
So maybe the best thing that conferences do for those who just
haven't quite gotten unschooling to work is to give them examples and
feedback. If a dad can see another dad scoop up "a big kid" happily
and carry him even though he's "a big boy and old enough to walk," or
can see a mom "pause" an adult exchange and ask a whiny kid what he
wants instead of motioning him away or threatening him, then they
will have a more visceral, physical understanding than they will get
reading here with people saying "respect your child's needs."
You don't have to have those people every single day, but it helps to
figure out ways to have them from time to time.
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Sandra Dodd
I'm quoting this from somewhere several steps removed from this, and
I don't want to say where, and if the person to whom it was written
recognizes it, don't claim it. I want to present it as unidentified
evidence.
****************************
Oh not much just being a stay at home mom. I just graduated from an
online college and just trying to find a job now... lol thats not
easy in this town. My kids go to school I dont have the patience for
home schooling.
----------------------
...its just that my 8 year old and my 5 year old fight like cats and
dogs all the time so I don't think I could handle all that. They
fight from the time they come in from school until bed time. But Oh
well I am glad that you like homeschooling
****************************
A stay-at-home mom has two kids who fight like cats and dogs when
they get home from school. She thinks they would fight that way all
the time if they weren't in school, instead of seeing that school is
the big factor.
She's part of a cult too, but a BIG cult that thinks school is
natural and normal, and that if life isn't going well, more school
might be the answer (or tutoring or after-school programs, or school
counsellors or different schools).
Sanrda
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
I don't want to say where, and if the person to whom it was written
recognizes it, don't claim it. I want to present it as unidentified
evidence.
****************************
Oh not much just being a stay at home mom. I just graduated from an
online college and just trying to find a job now... lol thats not
easy in this town. My kids go to school I dont have the patience for
home schooling.
----------------------
...its just that my 8 year old and my 5 year old fight like cats and
dogs all the time so I don't think I could handle all that. They
fight from the time they come in from school until bed time. But Oh
well I am glad that you like homeschooling
****************************
A stay-at-home mom has two kids who fight like cats and dogs when
they get home from school. She thinks they would fight that way all
the time if they weren't in school, instead of seeing that school is
the big factor.
She's part of a cult too, but a BIG cult that thinks school is
natural and normal, and that if life isn't going well, more school
might be the answer (or tutoring or after-school programs, or school
counsellors or different schools).
Sanrda
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Pamela Sorooshian
On Sep 12, 2008, at 4:40 AM, Ren Allen wrote:
the kids. I can't remember the details, but as I recall one of the
parents had a little conversation with the staff person (I think it
was Danielle Conger) about treating the kids respectfully and I think
it was fine after that. My daughter and I sat by the pool and watched
the parents and kids in the pool. There is something about pool play
that often brings out the worst in adults in terms of how they treat
children - we have a backyard pool and I've seen it many times -
parents yell at their kids, grab them, make very arbitrary rules, set
unreasonable limits. Rosie and I sat watching the parents and kids
having so much fun in the pool at L&L and really noticed and talked
about how kind and gentle the parents were being, it was a contrast to
what we so often see, even from families having fun together - at girl
scout family camp, for example.
-pam
> Nobody was being shamed or yelled at or threatened. Challenges wereLast year, at the pool, one of the staff was being pretty harsh with
> handled respectfully....and there were so very few of those. I had to
> wonder if the staff noticed how joyful the ENTIRE time at the pool
> was. I guess it hit me down there more than anywhere else because
> normally at pools we really see some ugly behavior from adults!
the kids. I can't remember the details, but as I recall one of the
parents had a little conversation with the staff person (I think it
was Danielle Conger) about treating the kids respectfully and I think
it was fine after that. My daughter and I sat by the pool and watched
the parents and kids in the pool. There is something about pool play
that often brings out the worst in adults in terms of how they treat
children - we have a backyard pool and I've seen it many times -
parents yell at their kids, grab them, make very arbitrary rules, set
unreasonable limits. Rosie and I sat watching the parents and kids
having so much fun in the pool at L&L and really noticed and talked
about how kind and gentle the parents were being, it was a contrast to
what we so often see, even from families having fun together - at girl
scout family camp, for example.
-pam
[email protected]
In a message dated 9/12/2008 7:40:57 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
starsuncloud@... writes:
<<<I wondered about that!
As one of the parents that chose NOT to swim, I looked around the pool
and wondered if the staff noticed the PROFOUND difference in the
parent/child interactions. There was a pool full of kids and parents
laughing and interacting joyfully.>>>
I noticed the staff as well. Either they are fairly respectful to kids or we
rubbed off on them :~) I noticed how respectfully they treated Storm as I
gathered stuff (we were the last ones out of the pool that day) and collected
belongings to hike back up the hill. The staff interacted with him, talked with
him and treated him with respect-how often does a 3 year old get that from
the general public?? It wasn't anything out of the norm for *him*, since he's
surrounded with that most of the time, but I really noticed.
Peace,
De
**************Psssst...Have you heard the news? There's a new fashion blog,
plus the latest fall trends and hair styles at StyleList.com.
(http://www.stylelist.com/trends?ncid=aolsty00050000000014)
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
starsuncloud@... writes:
<<<I wondered about that!
As one of the parents that chose NOT to swim, I looked around the pool
and wondered if the staff noticed the PROFOUND difference in the
parent/child interactions. There was a pool full of kids and parents
laughing and interacting joyfully.>>>
I noticed the staff as well. Either they are fairly respectful to kids or we
rubbed off on them :~) I noticed how respectfully they treated Storm as I
gathered stuff (we were the last ones out of the pool that day) and collected
belongings to hike back up the hill. The staff interacted with him, talked with
him and treated him with respect-how often does a 3 year old get that from
the general public?? It wasn't anything out of the norm for *him*, since he's
surrounded with that most of the time, but I really noticed.
Peace,
De
**************Psssst...Have you heard the news? There's a new fashion blog,
plus the latest fall trends and hair styles at StyleList.com.
(http://www.stylelist.com/trends?ncid=aolsty00050000000014)
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Meghan Anderson-Coates
I've been camping at the HSC campout in Patrick's Point and just got back and read this.
�
Kelly said:
<<<<<<<<<<Someone stated that it seemed too "cultish"
to be hanging out with other unschoolers.>>>>>>>>>>>>
�
Actually, that was me. What I said was, "I'm not sure, but I do know if we had a social life�only with other�unschoolers, we'd have a very small, narrow life! I love hanging out with other unschooling families and sharing, but to be dependent on other unschooling families entirely seems somehow cultish to me."
�
Kelly also said:
<<<<<how much fun we have with other unschoolers>>>>>>
�
and
�
<<<<<how much FUN unschooling *parents* are. The PARENTS are FUN.
They don't whine about their children, their jobs, their lives. They've
undergone this paradigm shift that makes them fun to be around. They're
joy-seekers- --joy-FINDERS. They're waaay more willing to try new
things, go new places---and just *enjoy* life. Way more so than any
other group I've ever been with.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Let me clarify. I should have�put the word 'only'�after 'dependent'.�I LOVE hanging out with other unschoolers for much the same reasons you state. BUT... If we depended solely on other unschoolers for our friendships and socialization, we'd have a very small pot to draw from (we don't live in a very large community). We have some unschooling friends in our town (and we definitely spend the most amount of time with them <g>), but we also have other good friends�who are not even homeschooling, much less unschooling. Saying that, they do practice respectful, attached�parenting and are fun, adventurous, and interesting�people.
I have met other unschoolers that will not socialize with anyone (except family) that are not also�unschoolers. I think that's narrow minded and cultish.
Meghan
�
Why not go out on a limb? Isn�t that where the fruit is?
~ Frank Scully
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
�
Kelly said:
<<<<<<<<<<Someone stated that it seemed too "cultish"
to be hanging out with other unschoolers.>>>>>>>>>>>>
�
Actually, that was me. What I said was, "I'm not sure, but I do know if we had a social life�only with other�unschoolers, we'd have a very small, narrow life! I love hanging out with other unschooling families and sharing, but to be dependent on other unschooling families entirely seems somehow cultish to me."
�
Kelly also said:
<<<<<how much fun we have with other unschoolers>>>>>>
�
and
�
<<<<<how much FUN unschooling *parents* are. The PARENTS are FUN.
They don't whine about their children, their jobs, their lives. They've
undergone this paradigm shift that makes them fun to be around. They're
joy-seekers- --joy-FINDERS. They're waaay more willing to try new
things, go new places---and just *enjoy* life. Way more so than any
other group I've ever been with.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Let me clarify. I should have�put the word 'only'�after 'dependent'.�I LOVE hanging out with other unschoolers for much the same reasons you state. BUT... If we depended solely on other unschoolers for our friendships and socialization, we'd have a very small pot to draw from (we don't live in a very large community). We have some unschooling friends in our town (and we definitely spend the most amount of time with them <g>), but we also have other good friends�who are not even homeschooling, much less unschooling. Saying that, they do practice respectful, attached�parenting and are fun, adventurous, and interesting�people.
I have met other unschoolers that will not socialize with anyone (except family) that are not also�unschoolers. I think that's narrow minded and cultish.
Meghan
�
Why not go out on a limb? Isn�t that where the fruit is?
~ Frank Scully
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Sandra Dodd
-=-I have met other unschoolers that will not socialize with anyone
(except family) that are not also unschoolers. I think that's narrow
minded and cultish.
-=-
I like having a variety of people in my life but the "variety" only
seems to include people who have at least two of music/humor/creativity.
There are a few unschoolers who don't meet my requirements. <g> I
think for unschooling to work well, the parents need to move switfly
and surely toward at least humor and creativity!
Sandra
(except family) that are not also unschoolers. I think that's narrow
minded and cultish.
-=-
I like having a variety of people in my life but the "variety" only
seems to include people who have at least two of music/humor/creativity.
There are a few unschoolers who don't meet my requirements. <g> I
think for unschooling to work well, the parents need to move switfly
and surely toward at least humor and creativity!
Sandra
Meghan Anderson-Coates
<<<<<<I like having a variety of people in my life but the "variety" only
seems to include people who have at least two of music/humor/ creativity.
There are a few unschoolers who don't meet my requirements. <g>
�I think for unschooling to work well, the parents need to move switfly
and surely toward at least humor and creativity!
Sandra>>>>>>>>>
�
Absolutely!
Humor and creativity�are two qualities that my friends and family have as well.
Humor is especially important to me :-)
Meghan
�
Why not go out on a limb? Isn�t that where the fruit is?
~ Frank Scully
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
seems to include people who have at least two of music/humor/ creativity.
There are a few unschoolers who don't meet my requirements. <g>
�I think for unschooling to work well, the parents need to move switfly
and surely toward at least humor and creativity!
Sandra>>>>>>>>>
�
Absolutely!
Humor and creativity�are two qualities that my friends and family have as well.
Humor is especially important to me :-)
Meghan
�
Why not go out on a limb? Isn�t that where the fruit is?
~ Frank Scully
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]