The parents Tao Te Ching
Ren Allen
The Always Unschooled list is having a discussion about this book
right now, and I really loved the quote that someone posted over
there. I think it's really useful advice, but especially when you're
first starting out this unschooling path:
"The happier I have allowed myself to be,
the happier my children have become.
The more I have become myself,
the more they have done the same"
#62
That's something I didn't get in the beginning. Excavating my
authentic self, doing that which is within me, BEing the ME I was
meant to be, has translated into a much happier household with
children that follow their bliss.
It's a hard process to describe. When folks start asking about how to
help their children learn, how to make sure they cover the "basics" or
how to trust their children, I think some of the best advice is to
quit focusing on the children!! That doesn't mean "don't pay attention
to them" because connecting with your children is paramount.
It means quit FOCUSING on how to get to a certain place, or how to GET
kids to do anything. Just be with them. Focus instead on your own
passions and interests. Pull your children into that which brings you
absolute JOY. Experience the beauty of YOU.
As children grow, they need models of a passionate, interesting and
rich life. They need to see what a beautiful life looks like! Give
them that model in yourself and watch the learning unfold.:)
Ren
learninginfreedom.com
right now, and I really loved the quote that someone posted over
there. I think it's really useful advice, but especially when you're
first starting out this unschooling path:
"The happier I have allowed myself to be,
the happier my children have become.
The more I have become myself,
the more they have done the same"
#62
That's something I didn't get in the beginning. Excavating my
authentic self, doing that which is within me, BEing the ME I was
meant to be, has translated into a much happier household with
children that follow their bliss.
It's a hard process to describe. When folks start asking about how to
help their children learn, how to make sure they cover the "basics" or
how to trust their children, I think some of the best advice is to
quit focusing on the children!! That doesn't mean "don't pay attention
to them" because connecting with your children is paramount.
It means quit FOCUSING on how to get to a certain place, or how to GET
kids to do anything. Just be with them. Focus instead on your own
passions and interests. Pull your children into that which brings you
absolute JOY. Experience the beauty of YOU.
As children grow, they need models of a passionate, interesting and
rich life. They need to see what a beautiful life looks like! Give
them that model in yourself and watch the learning unfold.:)
Ren
learninginfreedom.com
[email protected]
I have this book Ren. I forgot how wonderful it is. Time to dust it off and reread it. :o) I so agree that connecting to myself has helped me connect to my children.
Here's another good unschooling verse.
It's #1 Words of Life:
"You can speak to your children of life,
but your words are not life itself.
You can show them what you see,
but your showing and their seeing
are forever different things."
further along in the same verse:
" Go for a slow and mindful walk.
Show them every little thing that catches your eye.
Notice evey little thing that catches theirs.
Don't look for lessons or seek to teach great things.
Just notice.
The lesson will teach itself."
--
~Mary, the taoist
http://zenmommasgarden.blogspot.com/
"The miracle is not to walk on water. The miracle is to walk on the
green earth, dwelling deeply in the present moment and feeling truly
alive."
~Thich Nhat Hanh
-------------- Original message ----------------------
From: "Ren Allen" <starsuncloud@...>
Here's another good unschooling verse.
It's #1 Words of Life:
"You can speak to your children of life,
but your words are not life itself.
You can show them what you see,
but your showing and their seeing
are forever different things."
further along in the same verse:
" Go for a slow and mindful walk.
Show them every little thing that catches your eye.
Notice evey little thing that catches theirs.
Don't look for lessons or seek to teach great things.
Just notice.
The lesson will teach itself."
--
~Mary, the taoist
http://zenmommasgarden.blogspot.com/
"The miracle is not to walk on water. The miracle is to walk on the
green earth, dwelling deeply in the present moment and feeling truly
alive."
~Thich Nhat Hanh
-------------- Original message ----------------------
From: "Ren Allen" <starsuncloud@...>