Brand New!!!
weikert_home
Hi, everyone! My name is Faith and I am brand new to unschooling,
in fact, so new that my son's first day of freedom will be at the
close of the school day this Friday. He is 15 and a sophomore by
their tracking methods.
My only exposure thus far with unschooling is Teenage Liberation
Handbook. I am about 1/2 way through it.
I only wish I knew about unschooling YEARS ago...Here is the
history. I was a single mother since he was born. He had been in
daycare from 3 months old. I began working two jobs from when
Justin was 4-7. When he entered kindergarten, he had trouble forming
letters. As the years progressed, the system slapped a few labels
on him. ADHD a fine motor impairment and the like. We struggled.
He never liked school. Never wanted to sit in his chair. Would
walk around the room, and when his teacher called on him, he would
answer and usually correctly.
(Just for the timeline, I got married when he was 7)
As he entered high school, his desire to 'do as he was told'
disappeared! Most of our dissagreements and sruggles stemmed from
him not doing his homework or the 'chores' I imposed. We had
punishments (take away the things he likes: video
games/tv/ipod/etc.) and he would have to earn them back. Based on
his conformity - is really what it boiled down to...(I know!!!
Appalling - as it sounds now!!)
I didn't know of any other way.
I found out about unschooling at the end of this summer through a
business associate and immediately thought this would suit my son's
personality. What I am discovering is it is not so much the absence
of school but more a lifestyle. A life of peace. Living in the
moment. Trusting your child. Letting his life be his own.
Justin's initial reaction was in favor. Then as he thought about
it, he became scared. More afraid of losing his friends than
leaving school. We live directly across the street from his school
and usually have a half a dozen kids here on most days. I am
encouraging him through that fear and confident he will soon see the
light!
I suppose my intention in writing today is for all of your words of
support. This transition is going to require me to 'let go' of the
way I was raised in favor of a more holistic life. It sounds like a
no brainer! But I am afraid old habits die hard.
To add to this challenge, my husband, Kurt, (Justin's stepfather) is
unfamiliar with unschooling entirely. I tell him that Justin and I
will be homeschooling. He's okay with that concept. I look forward
to the "list" Sandy is compiling for her dh. :-) Kurt is very
traditional in his beliefs or maybe just his habits. His family was
very much a dictatorship and he tends to think children are to
follow instructions without question. You know, that "respect for
authority" bull... My advantage is my mother and I had a
relationship where there was more mutual respect. I respected the
rules because she valued me and respected me, too. Any words of
wisdom to get him in sync will be appreciated.
Well, that's all for now. Looking forward to the support of this
group as Justin and I and Kurt embark on our journey of finally
living a life! By the way, I do also have a two year old and hoping
that she lives and unschooled life.
Blessings,
Faith
in fact, so new that my son's first day of freedom will be at the
close of the school day this Friday. He is 15 and a sophomore by
their tracking methods.
My only exposure thus far with unschooling is Teenage Liberation
Handbook. I am about 1/2 way through it.
I only wish I knew about unschooling YEARS ago...Here is the
history. I was a single mother since he was born. He had been in
daycare from 3 months old. I began working two jobs from when
Justin was 4-7. When he entered kindergarten, he had trouble forming
letters. As the years progressed, the system slapped a few labels
on him. ADHD a fine motor impairment and the like. We struggled.
He never liked school. Never wanted to sit in his chair. Would
walk around the room, and when his teacher called on him, he would
answer and usually correctly.
(Just for the timeline, I got married when he was 7)
As he entered high school, his desire to 'do as he was told'
disappeared! Most of our dissagreements and sruggles stemmed from
him not doing his homework or the 'chores' I imposed. We had
punishments (take away the things he likes: video
games/tv/ipod/etc.) and he would have to earn them back. Based on
his conformity - is really what it boiled down to...(I know!!!
Appalling - as it sounds now!!)
I didn't know of any other way.
I found out about unschooling at the end of this summer through a
business associate and immediately thought this would suit my son's
personality. What I am discovering is it is not so much the absence
of school but more a lifestyle. A life of peace. Living in the
moment. Trusting your child. Letting his life be his own.
Justin's initial reaction was in favor. Then as he thought about
it, he became scared. More afraid of losing his friends than
leaving school. We live directly across the street from his school
and usually have a half a dozen kids here on most days. I am
encouraging him through that fear and confident he will soon see the
light!
I suppose my intention in writing today is for all of your words of
support. This transition is going to require me to 'let go' of the
way I was raised in favor of a more holistic life. It sounds like a
no brainer! But I am afraid old habits die hard.
To add to this challenge, my husband, Kurt, (Justin's stepfather) is
unfamiliar with unschooling entirely. I tell him that Justin and I
will be homeschooling. He's okay with that concept. I look forward
to the "list" Sandy is compiling for her dh. :-) Kurt is very
traditional in his beliefs or maybe just his habits. His family was
very much a dictatorship and he tends to think children are to
follow instructions without question. You know, that "respect for
authority" bull... My advantage is my mother and I had a
relationship where there was more mutual respect. I respected the
rules because she valued me and respected me, too. Any words of
wisdom to get him in sync will be appreciated.
Well, that's all for now. Looking forward to the support of this
group as Justin and I and Kurt embark on our journey of finally
living a life! By the way, I do also have a two year old and hoping
that she lives and unschooled life.
Blessings,
Faith