Lisa

I read this group, Always Unschooled, and Consensual Living when I
get time. I am currently a month behind, so sorry for the old quote,
but here it is

******I think the key is right in the middle of that statement: "the
whole child". Schools leave people damaged. Wanting school goals and
school solutions comes from that damage. Acheiving school goals
doesn't move a person closer to healing that damage. *****

Meredith, you post on all three groups, and your *insight* into the
very nature of problems - what they are about, why they happen, and
how to fix them never ceases to floor me. Like the above quote - you
really open my eyes to issues I never could have conceptualized - I
mean .. I can tell *something* is wrong or undesireable or off .. but
I am rarely able to figure out what the true meat of it is. You can
and do - and there are a lot of people on these groups that are also
consistently insightful and can kindly share the knowledge in a way
so anyone can and wants to understand.

So, what's the secret - this is a question for any of you experts out
there Did you start at this same confused, damaged place that I did
and you've just been at it longer? Are you versed in psychological
concepts? Did you read some special books? I really hope to someday
be as secure in *that place* of inner knowledge that a lot of you are
already.

Lisa

plaidpanties666

--- In [email protected], "Lisa" <lisa@...> wrote:
> So, what's the secret

Sometimes its just a matter of being "outside" the situation, and
being able to see a different perspective because of that. For me,
reading and answering posts gives *me* a better perspective on my
own life and parenting, too. There are times when I'm making a
suggestion and thinking "hey, I should be doing more of that!" There
are other times when answering a post that I'll see a solution to a
problem I've had myself.

I'm lousy at asking questions. There are some people on these boards
who are fabulous at asking really complex questions. I love that. I
can't do that. Its a whole different kind of ability. I'm not the
sort of person who can just write, either - that amazes me. I need
someone else to get me started, to nudge me in a direction. That's
an important part of *my* process.

There's wonderful wisdom on the unschooling boards! I'm glad you've
found some in my posts.

>Did you start at this same confused, damaged place that I did
> and you've just been at it longer?

I started out pretty confused and damaged - my 'true confessions'
tend to get posted on AU more than here, just bc of the nature of
the questions people ask.

> Are you versed in psychological
> concepts? Did you read some special books?

I'm going to answer this from a different direction - I think of
parenting as a spiritual practice. For *me* that ends up being an
outgrowth of my zen and yoga practices, but I've met other parents
online and irl for whom its a christian practice, or a wiccan
practice or "simply" a matter of being passionately devoted to their
families. Just like with our kids, its not so much a matter of how
and where things are learned - the learning itself grows out of a
joyful connection with life.

*And* I read a lot of unschooling boards and blogs and websites.
Thich Nhat Hahn doesn't hold a candle to a Danielle or Ren or
Shuyler talking about a day with their kids.

---Meredith (Mo 5, Ray 13)

Brian & Alexandra Polikowsky

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>*And* I read a lot of unschooling boards and blogs and websites.
Thich Nhat Hahn doesn't hold a candle to a Danielle or Ren or
Shuyler talking about a day with their kids. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<


And you , Kelly, Robyn, and others here.... I am so grateful for you mammas. I still have a long way to be able to act the way I preach and want to be.
I work hard on it.
You are all so much help.
Thank you for taking the time.

Alex




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