Re: not trying to be anoying
Deb Lewis
***How is this NOT coersive parenting? ***
Unschooling seems so radical to some people maybe it's surprising to find
our kids look like other kids. <g> When you saw a little boy in a dinosaur
shirt why did *you* assume dinosaurs were gender specific?
I'm just teasing you a little.
When our kids are little we make decisions for them similar to decisions we
make for ourselves about dress or food or personal hygiene. It wouldn't be
practical to do otherwise. It's not reasonable to expect a newborn to
answer questions about clothing preference. As our kids get older and know
more about what is available to them they have more to choose from. If you
have gender specific ideas about clothing you'll choose according to your
own preference for your kids until they're making their own choices. Some
of the parents of the kids you saw might have bought what was on sale. Some
might have shopped at the thrift store where selection was limited. Some
might have received clothes from friends or siblings whose children had
outgrown them. Some kids might have chosen their clothes. I don't think a
few photos can lead to the conclusion unschooled children are coerced into
wearing gender specific clothing.
If both parents eat meat they probably include meat in the foods they offer
their children. If both parents are vegetarian their little kids probably
are too.
It would be impossible and impractical to make every food item available to
our kids everyday. We offer what we have, what we prefer and as our kids
grow and develop preferences we're mindful of those.
We were at my mom's house a couple days ago and I made a bowl of quickie
noodles for Dylan. They were some brand he'd never had before and I told
him if he didn't like them I'd make him something else. My mom said, "If
you don't like it, eat it anyway." She said that's what she used to tell
her kids.
It's true, she did and she's old and crazy now.
Unschooling parents offer what is available and should make available what
is preferred. (or end up like my mother)
Deb Lewis
Unschooling seems so radical to some people maybe it's surprising to find
our kids look like other kids. <g> When you saw a little boy in a dinosaur
shirt why did *you* assume dinosaurs were gender specific?
I'm just teasing you a little.
When our kids are little we make decisions for them similar to decisions we
make for ourselves about dress or food or personal hygiene. It wouldn't be
practical to do otherwise. It's not reasonable to expect a newborn to
answer questions about clothing preference. As our kids get older and know
more about what is available to them they have more to choose from. If you
have gender specific ideas about clothing you'll choose according to your
own preference for your kids until they're making their own choices. Some
of the parents of the kids you saw might have bought what was on sale. Some
might have shopped at the thrift store where selection was limited. Some
might have received clothes from friends or siblings whose children had
outgrown them. Some kids might have chosen their clothes. I don't think a
few photos can lead to the conclusion unschooled children are coerced into
wearing gender specific clothing.
If both parents eat meat they probably include meat in the foods they offer
their children. If both parents are vegetarian their little kids probably
are too.
It would be impossible and impractical to make every food item available to
our kids everyday. We offer what we have, what we prefer and as our kids
grow and develop preferences we're mindful of those.
We were at my mom's house a couple days ago and I made a bowl of quickie
noodles for Dylan. They were some brand he'd never had before and I told
him if he didn't like them I'd make him something else. My mom said, "If
you don't like it, eat it anyway." She said that's what she used to tell
her kids.
It's true, she did and she's old and crazy now.
Unschooling parents offer what is available and should make available what
is preferred. (or end up like my mother)
Deb Lewis