Balance?
Cara
I've been an unschooler my whole life, just didn't know it till a few
years ago. I also love unschooling with my girls (4 & 7). I love to
learn and often get wrapped up in things and many times they will go
for HOURS when enthralled in something.
For example, I will be at the table in the kitchen working on my new
project, one daughter in the sunroom working a puzzle or laying out a
block city and the other at the coffee table in the living room
drawing costumes or listening to music. I'm near them and can see
them. We break for food and drink, but many times spend our days
learning by ourselves. If it were cooler (pretty nasty in Louisiana in
July and August) we would break to go outside too.
Should there be balance? Should we disengage ourselves from our
separate interests to do things together - or just keep going as is?
They don't seem to mind and haven't said anything about it when
asked.
When they need my help, I help. When they ask me to join, I join.
Sometimes I leave new things on a side cabinet to spark a
conversation - like a book open to magnetism, with some magnets, other
objects and a piece of paper asking questions. Sometimes we do this
together, sometimes we don't do it at all. Many times I offer to read
stories or do something with them. Sometimes they accept, sometimes
decline.
I'm new to unschooling. We did "school at home" for 2 years before
and it drove us bonkers. I don't want to be "neglectful" (as my MIL
calls it), but on the other hand I don't want to interupt their
creative processes. Should there be a balance? How does one acheive
that balance?
Thanks,
Cara :)
years ago. I also love unschooling with my girls (4 & 7). I love to
learn and often get wrapped up in things and many times they will go
for HOURS when enthralled in something.
For example, I will be at the table in the kitchen working on my new
project, one daughter in the sunroom working a puzzle or laying out a
block city and the other at the coffee table in the living room
drawing costumes or listening to music. I'm near them and can see
them. We break for food and drink, but many times spend our days
learning by ourselves. If it were cooler (pretty nasty in Louisiana in
July and August) we would break to go outside too.
Should there be balance? Should we disengage ourselves from our
separate interests to do things together - or just keep going as is?
They don't seem to mind and haven't said anything about it when
asked.
When they need my help, I help. When they ask me to join, I join.
Sometimes I leave new things on a side cabinet to spark a
conversation - like a book open to magnetism, with some magnets, other
objects and a piece of paper asking questions. Sometimes we do this
together, sometimes we don't do it at all. Many times I offer to read
stories or do something with them. Sometimes they accept, sometimes
decline.
I'm new to unschooling. We did "school at home" for 2 years before
and it drove us bonkers. I don't want to be "neglectful" (as my MIL
calls it), but on the other hand I don't want to interupt their
creative processes. Should there be a balance? How does one acheive
that balance?
Thanks,
Cara :)
Deb
Seems like you are already finding your own balance - sometimes you
are doing separate things, sometimes you are doing things together
(they ask for assistance and you assist as much/as little as wanted;
you go outside together, weather permitting; and so on). There will
be "seasons" when you spend more time together and seasons when you
spend less time together, it's all part of the flow of life. If you
were saying "Go away - can't you see I'm WORKING on something
important!" then I'd have concerns but it sounds like y'all are living
a wonderful interrelated joyful life.
--Deb
are doing separate things, sometimes you are doing things together
(they ask for assistance and you assist as much/as little as wanted;
you go outside together, weather permitting; and so on). There will
be "seasons" when you spend more time together and seasons when you
spend less time together, it's all part of the flow of life. If you
were saying "Go away - can't you see I'm WORKING on something
important!" then I'd have concerns but it sounds like y'all are living
a wonderful interrelated joyful life.
--Deb
Michelle/Melbrigða
On 8/20/06, Cara <casonnier@...> wrote:
the same time they are comfortable coming to you for more information
or assistance or just to connect. Your MIL most likely hasn't read
squat on unschooling so I would try to just be like a duck around her
(let it roll off your back). We have days where everyone seems to be
doing their own thing, but also days where we are all interested in
the same sorts of things or want to combine our efforts.
--
Michelle
aka Melbrigða
http://eventualknitting.blogspot.com
[email protected] - Homeschooling for the Medieval Recreationist
> Should there be balance? Should we disengage ourselves from ourSounds like you are pretty in tune with what your girls need and at
> separate interests to do things together - or just keep going as is?
> They don't seem to mind and haven't said anything about it when
> asked.
>
> When they need my help, I help. When they ask me to join, I join.
the same time they are comfortable coming to you for more information
or assistance or just to connect. Your MIL most likely hasn't read
squat on unschooling so I would try to just be like a duck around her
(let it roll off your back). We have days where everyone seems to be
doing their own thing, but also days where we are all interested in
the same sorts of things or want to combine our efforts.
--
Michelle
aka Melbrigða
http://eventualknitting.blogspot.com
[email protected] - Homeschooling for the Medieval Recreationist