Sandra Dodd

This is my response to an e-mail I got today. I don't want to share the e-mail because it has links to stories I'm sure are depressing and unrelated, about video games players dying after playing games for a long time. For all I know the author is someone's ex husband�. But the subject line was:

Subject: Hi, what is your opinion on this matter as a well-known "unschooling" parent? Thanks.

And most of the text is quoted:

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-=-Cases like these will instill more fear and paranoia to people who don't understand the principle of "unschooling" so what is your opinion on the matter and how would you defend your lifestyle from people who would judge you based on news like these?-=-

I'm sorry, but I'm not going to read those articles.

I doubt either of them was an unschooler in a home with a loving family where someone was taking him food and drinks, looking over his shoulder and cheering him on.

My volunteer energy is put into helping parents create lives of peaceful learning for their families.

"...a well-known "unschooling" parent?"

I AM an unschooling parent, without quotation marks. I can talk about unschooling and about loving relationships between parents and children. I have no obligation to address any other topics.

-=-Cases like these will instill more fear and paranoia --=-

Some people like fear and paranoia, and I'm very sorry that it hampers the potential of peaceful realationships between them and their children (between them and anyone, really).

If you want something to show detractors, here are stories of families (not one child in isolation) enjoying and learning from Minecraft: http://sandradodd.com/videogames/minecraft
There are two new links to accounts of other families, and one I've had there for a while. All have this theme, pretty much:

"Long story short, I realized that everytime I rejected his interests I was missing an opportunity to connect with him. And connection became my priority. Even before I understood anything about video games besides my shallow observations and judgements. As soon as I shifted to respect, a whole new world opened for me. I also learned some amazing things about my son." (Kristiva Stack, from that page)

Sandra

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If he writes back, maybe I should point out that I'm sure more people have died immediatly after strenuous exercise than after sitting still, and that there would be a lot more people alive in northern Colorado it that bad guy had spent his time, money and energy on video games than on weapons and a bullet-proof vest.

Sandra



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