Question
decjec
Hi,
I have two questions I guess. one is I know alot of unschoolers
don't have "bedtime" What about for 2 or 3 year old? And What do alot
of you do when your feeling really tired and grumpy. I am having
another baby and find myself feeling that way alot!! I don't want to
be snappy but I find that I am doing that alot and then later I feel
really guilty.
Thanks for any sharing.
Danette
I have two questions I guess. one is I know alot of unschoolers
don't have "bedtime" What about for 2 or 3 year old? And What do alot
of you do when your feeling really tired and grumpy. I am having
another baby and find myself feeling that way alot!! I don't want to
be snappy but I find that I am doing that alot and then later I feel
really guilty.
Thanks for any sharing.
Danette
soggyboysmom
--- In [email protected], "decjec" <decjec@y...> wrote:
need more food, more sleep, more help around the house, a good cry, a
nice comfy bath, a romantic dinner - cooked and cleaned up by someone
else, 3 uninterrupted hours at the library, air conditioning, other?
If you can pinpoint an item or two that would feed your own self, try
to arrange for them on a regular basis. You might even get a sitter to
come over and play with your toddler while you take a nap. Also, after
the fact, don't spend the time feeling guilty, apologize and move on.
There's nothing that says a mommy can't apologize to a toddler. "I'm
sorry I was grumpy at you sweetie" and you'll likely get a sloppy kiss
and a hug and life goes on.
When DS was 2 or 3, we still had 'bedtime' - a generally flexible time
somewhere around 9 pm which was when he usually was acting tired. We'd
start slowly moving toward bed - brush teeth, play a little, PJs (if
he wanted them - he's a nakey boy mostly and slept in just his diaper
much of the time), stories and snuggling then sleep. Sometimes he was
asleep early, other times he wanted to be up a little later and we'd
put a quiet video on and all snuggle on the couch. Sometimes a little
bath time would help unwind him. In general, there was a 'bedtime' but
a loose one based on his signs of tiredness - we'd adjust it earlier
or later on his signals and by the time he was 5 we just dropped it
altogether. And yes when we finally dropped it (not a big announcement
just saying OK when he wanted to stay up to watch one more episode of
whatever) he did stay up later than usual - for maybe 3 or 4 days.
Then he decided that snuggling with mom before mom was mostly asleep
was more to his liking than staying up to watch something he knew he
could watch some other time (since his favorite shows repeat often). I
still let him know when I head up to bed (I WOH DH is the at home
parent, so I need to be in bed before they do) that I'll be up for a
while reading/watching TV/unwinding or that I'll be falling asleep
soon. If I'm up for a while and he (and/or DH) are not heading to bed,
I'll let him/them know that now I'm going to sleep, last chance to
snuggle before I fall asleep so they can decide. Sometimes they come
snuggle. Other times they are in the middle of a video game or
something and I'm asleep by the time they come up to bed.
--Deb
> Hi,As to question two - what do you need to make you unsnappy? Do you
> I have two questions I guess. one is I know alot of unschoolers
> don't have "bedtime" What about for 2 or 3 year old? And What do alot
> of you do when your feeling really tired and grumpy. I am having
> another baby and find myself feeling that way alot!! I don't want to
> be snappy but I find that I am doing that alot and then later I feel
> really guilty.
> Thanks for any sharing.
> Danette
need more food, more sleep, more help around the house, a good cry, a
nice comfy bath, a romantic dinner - cooked and cleaned up by someone
else, 3 uninterrupted hours at the library, air conditioning, other?
If you can pinpoint an item or two that would feed your own self, try
to arrange for them on a regular basis. You might even get a sitter to
come over and play with your toddler while you take a nap. Also, after
the fact, don't spend the time feeling guilty, apologize and move on.
There's nothing that says a mommy can't apologize to a toddler. "I'm
sorry I was grumpy at you sweetie" and you'll likely get a sloppy kiss
and a hug and life goes on.
When DS was 2 or 3, we still had 'bedtime' - a generally flexible time
somewhere around 9 pm which was when he usually was acting tired. We'd
start slowly moving toward bed - brush teeth, play a little, PJs (if
he wanted them - he's a nakey boy mostly and slept in just his diaper
much of the time), stories and snuggling then sleep. Sometimes he was
asleep early, other times he wanted to be up a little later and we'd
put a quiet video on and all snuggle on the couch. Sometimes a little
bath time would help unwind him. In general, there was a 'bedtime' but
a loose one based on his signs of tiredness - we'd adjust it earlier
or later on his signals and by the time he was 5 we just dropped it
altogether. And yes when we finally dropped it (not a big announcement
just saying OK when he wanted to stay up to watch one more episode of
whatever) he did stay up later than usual - for maybe 3 or 4 days.
Then he decided that snuggling with mom before mom was mostly asleep
was more to his liking than staying up to watch something he knew he
could watch some other time (since his favorite shows repeat often). I
still let him know when I head up to bed (I WOH DH is the at home
parent, so I need to be in bed before they do) that I'll be up for a
while reading/watching TV/unwinding or that I'll be falling asleep
soon. If I'm up for a while and he (and/or DH) are not heading to bed,
I'll let him/them know that now I'm going to sleep, last chance to
snuggle before I fall asleep so they can decide. Sometimes they come
snuggle. Other times they are in the middle of a video game or
something and I'm asleep by the time they come up to bed.
--Deb
Dana Matt
--- decjec <decjec@...> wrote:
too--luckily dh is a guy who can live on a lot less
sleep than I can, so if I crash in the evening he can
man the fort just fine without me...
As far as toddler bedtime--We family bed and I would
get into bed when I was tired and they would follow
me...or if they were tired earlier they would ask me
to come and nurse them to sleep. They never wanted to
stay up without me. Now that they're 7 and 13, they
often stay up much later than I can, but still the 7
yo watches tv in the family bed (quietly, thank you
son!) until he falls asleep (which is often 2+ hours
after I've fallen asleep).
Dana
Guadalupe's Coffee Roaster
100% Organic Fair Trade Coffee
Roasted to Perfection Daily
http://www.guadalupescoffee.com
____________________________________________________
Start your day with Yahoo! - make it your home page
http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs
> Hi,I feel grumpy when I don't get enough sleep,
> I have two questions I guess. one is I know alot
> of unschoolers
> don't have "bedtime" What about for 2 or 3 year old?
> And What do alot
> of you do when your feeling really tired and grumpy.
>
too--luckily dh is a guy who can live on a lot less
sleep than I can, so if I crash in the evening he can
man the fort just fine without me...
As far as toddler bedtime--We family bed and I would
get into bed when I was tired and they would follow
me...or if they were tired earlier they would ask me
to come and nurse them to sleep. They never wanted to
stay up without me. Now that they're 7 and 13, they
often stay up much later than I can, but still the 7
yo watches tv in the family bed (quietly, thank you
son!) until he falls asleep (which is often 2+ hours
after I've fallen asleep).
Dana
Guadalupe's Coffee Roaster
100% Organic Fair Trade Coffee
Roasted to Perfection Daily
http://www.guadalupescoffee.com
____________________________________________________
Start your day with Yahoo! - make it your home page
http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs
Angela S.
I hadn't heard of unschooling when my kids were that little but I still
listened to each child and did what worked for that child. Not having a
bedtime doesn't mean not listening to their cues of tiredness and helping
them to fall asleep in a way that is comfortable for them.
My older child thrived on things being consistent and she still does at age
10. She likes to know what's going on and when we are doing what. She
wakes up at the same time every day, no matter what time she goes to bed at
night. (It's actually gotten a bit better as she's gotten older, but I used
to be able to set a clock by her.)
My younger dd, age 8, enjoys flying by the seat of her pants, just like me.
Bedtime for her isn't an issue because no matter when she goes to bed, she
will sleep 9 or 10 hours and then wake up refreshed.
Both my girls have always enjoyed having me lay with them while they fall
asleep and it's been a ritual that I've enjoyed too, which has always made
bedtime a nice time for us.
When I am tired and grumpy I lie on the couch and shut my eyes for 20
minutes or so. My kids were always right there under foot when they were
little so I didn't feel like anything catastrophic would happen that I
wouldn't be aware of, but then again, my girls were pretty easy toddlers.
Angela
game-enthusiast@...
listened to each child and did what worked for that child. Not having a
bedtime doesn't mean not listening to their cues of tiredness and helping
them to fall asleep in a way that is comfortable for them.
My older child thrived on things being consistent and she still does at age
10. She likes to know what's going on and when we are doing what. She
wakes up at the same time every day, no matter what time she goes to bed at
night. (It's actually gotten a bit better as she's gotten older, but I used
to be able to set a clock by her.)
My younger dd, age 8, enjoys flying by the seat of her pants, just like me.
Bedtime for her isn't an issue because no matter when she goes to bed, she
will sleep 9 or 10 hours and then wake up refreshed.
Both my girls have always enjoyed having me lay with them while they fall
asleep and it's been a ritual that I've enjoyed too, which has always made
bedtime a nice time for us.
When I am tired and grumpy I lie on the couch and shut my eyes for 20
minutes or so. My kids were always right there under foot when they were
little so I didn't feel like anything catastrophic would happen that I
wouldn't be aware of, but then again, my girls were pretty easy toddlers.
Angela
game-enthusiast@...
jlh44music
> Both my girls have always enjoyed having me lay with them whilethey fall asleep and it's been a ritual that I've enjoyed too, which
has always made bedtime a nice time for us.>>>>>
This will be our first year unschooling (dd just finished 6th
grade). We are ALL night owls and she always has a hard
time "turning off her brain" or ending the day. I realize now this
is no longer an issue, but when she had to get up in the morning to
get the bus at 7:15 AM and she had been up until midnight the night
before, it was.
I quit my job in June and this is the first time I've NEVER worked or
had to get up! I'm having a harder time adjusting to it than she is,
but I'm getting there. She won't stay up if we're going to bed, so I
announce to her (about 1/2 hour before I think I'll REALLY be ready
to go to sleep) that I'm tired and going to bed soon. Then I mention
it a couple more times (she's really into an on-line computer game,
so she needs time to finish up and log off). Usually by the 3rd
time, she's really good about stopping. I'm not trying to make her
stop, but it's because we HAVE to do our bedtime ritual. She needs
it and can't end the day without it.
After brushing teeth etc, we get her bed settled, she'll talk for a
while about something that she did on her game that day etc (I have
to allow for that too, especially if I'm REALLY tired and ready to
sleep), then we do our "goodnights" (I don't know when this started,
but we've been doing it for several years now and she expects it).
I'll say first "good night" (she says the same thing), then "I love
you" (she says I love you too). Then SHE starts it again, I start it
again and it ends with her starting it last. Hugs, kisses,
additional "I love yous" and then she's ready.
Plus she's REALLY enjoying being able to sleep in and get up when
she's done sleeping!
Jann
soggyboysmom
--- In [email protected], "jlh44music"
<jlh44music@y...> wrote:
to sleep, whether it's 8 hrs or 10 hrs. And he can fall asleep
whenever in the afternoon if he's needing a bit extra (usually growth
spurts and colds and sometimes seasonal/daylight savings shifts will
do this). Sometimes it gets a little bittersweet when I know DS is
curled up cozily in bed and I drive to work (I'm at work by 8 am) and
see kids his size standing out waiting for their school bus.
<jlh44music@y...> wrote:
>That is one of my favorite things - DS can sleep however much he needs
> Plus she's REALLY enjoying being able to sleep in and get up when
> she's done sleeping!
> Jann
to sleep, whether it's 8 hrs or 10 hrs. And he can fall asleep
whenever in the afternoon if he's needing a bit extra (usually growth
spurts and colds and sometimes seasonal/daylight savings shifts will
do this). Sometimes it gets a little bittersweet when I know DS is
curled up cozily in bed and I drive to work (I'm at work by 8 am) and
see kids his size standing out waiting for their school bus.
Jennifer
I'm no expert, but this used to confuse me too. I
thought people meant that they let their two year old
just do whatever til all hours, and eventually they
would fall asleep in the middle of the floor in
exhaustion.
My kids are two and four. What "no bedtimes" means to
me is that 1) We don't have to rush to get to bed at a
particular time if we don't want to. Like, we don't
have to worry about the concept of "school nights."
(And yes, everyone I know with a four year old does,
at least to some extent.)
And 2) that "bedtime" is pleasant. We snuggle up, read
books together, talk, etc. It's not something we
struggle or fight about. I can't imagine my girls
thinking, "Oh no, not bedtime!" as if it were a bad
thing.
____________________________________________________
Start your day with Yahoo! - make it your home page
http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs
thought people meant that they let their two year old
just do whatever til all hours, and eventually they
would fall asleep in the middle of the floor in
exhaustion.
My kids are two and four. What "no bedtimes" means to
me is that 1) We don't have to rush to get to bed at a
particular time if we don't want to. Like, we don't
have to worry about the concept of "school nights."
(And yes, everyone I know with a four year old does,
at least to some extent.)
And 2) that "bedtime" is pleasant. We snuggle up, read
books together, talk, etc. It's not something we
struggle or fight about. I can't imagine my girls
thinking, "Oh no, not bedtime!" as if it were a bad
thing.
____________________________________________________
Start your day with Yahoo! - make it your home page
http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs
Deb Lewis
***I'm not trying to make her stop, but it's because we HAVE to do our
bedtime ritual. ***
Dylan and I had a nice bedtime thing like this too, just silly stuff that
we did for years. He slept in our bed exclusively until he got his own
bed when he was seven. He still slept with us frequently until he was
eleven but now sleeps in his own bed. He's thirteen. Sometimes he'll
wiggle in beside me for awhile but not the whole night.
When Dylan got to the place he wanted to stay up later than us I told him
he could wake me and we'd still do the tucking in bedtime stuff. That
might be an option for you at some point. If you're not too groggy. <g>
Dylan doesn't wake me to tuck him in anymore. Enjoy every lovely
minute, Jann. <g>
Deb Lewis
bedtime ritual. ***
Dylan and I had a nice bedtime thing like this too, just silly stuff that
we did for years. He slept in our bed exclusively until he got his own
bed when he was seven. He still slept with us frequently until he was
eleven but now sleeps in his own bed. He's thirteen. Sometimes he'll
wiggle in beside me for awhile but not the whole night.
When Dylan got to the place he wanted to stay up later than us I told him
he could wake me and we'd still do the tucking in bedtime stuff. That
might be an option for you at some point. If you're not too groggy. <g>
Dylan doesn't wake me to tuck him in anymore. Enjoy every lovely
minute, Jann. <g>
Deb Lewis
jlh44music
> When Dylan got to the place he wanted to stay up later than us I toldhim he could wake me and we'd still do the tucking in bedtime stuff.
That might be an option for you at some point. If you're not too
groggy. <g>
That's definitely a possibility. I'm finding that now that there are
no limits on what she does during the day (unlike just a couple of
months ago when she was still in school and had to get up at a certain
time), she doesn't mind when I "end the day" (and giving her plenty of
preparation time). She seems to like it, she's said it's so hard to
stop the game and doesn't mind that I give her a reason to (I'm ready,
and SHE needs her ritual). In fact, just last night she was saying how
weird it was at first (since her last day of school in June) that she's
been able to do whatever she wants all day (which right now is World of
Warcraft), and she was wondering (not ASKING me, just wondering outloud
to herself), when she'll want to do something different for a change.
I only said "you'll know". I'm pleasantly surprised at how far she's
come since we quit school. She's relaxing (and I am too, in fact a few
times she's said it "creeps her out" that I'm so easy going) and I
reminded her that this is unschooling, just living life. I think
she's liking it <g>
> Dylan doesn't wake me to tuck him in anymore. Enjoy every lovelyminute, Jann. <g>
I am, EVERY single moment. It's a beautiful thing.
Jann
[email protected]
-----Original Message-----
From: decjec <decjec@...>
I have two questions I guess. one is I know alot of unschoolers
don't have "bedtime" What about for 2 or 3 year old? And What do alot
of you do when your feeling really tired and grumpy. I am having
another baby and find myself feeling that way alot!! I don't want to
be snappy but I find that I am doing that alot and then later I feel
really guilty.
-=-=-=-=
Danette,
First: apologize when you're grumpy. Children appreciate that! Also,
if you can warn them that you are tired and may snap at them, they can
learn to do the same. Still apologize when you do snap! But I found
that, if I'm getting touchy and creepy, if I tell the boys that I'm
grouchy, they will be a little kinder and gentler with *me*! I do the
same for them. If we can learn to recognize when our tempers are
getting short, we can better learn to deal with it and ask other for
help too!
As for no bedtimes: that does not mean that you can't make the
surroundings conducive to sleep! Lights low, warm drink, soft music,
sweet book or songs, warm cuddle....I'm getting sleepy already! <g>
~Kelly
From: decjec <decjec@...>
I have two questions I guess. one is I know alot of unschoolers
don't have "bedtime" What about for 2 or 3 year old? And What do alot
of you do when your feeling really tired and grumpy. I am having
another baby and find myself feeling that way alot!! I don't want to
be snappy but I find that I am doing that alot and then later I feel
really guilty.
-=-=-=-=
Danette,
First: apologize when you're grumpy. Children appreciate that! Also,
if you can warn them that you are tired and may snap at them, they can
learn to do the same. Still apologize when you do snap! But I found
that, if I'm getting touchy and creepy, if I tell the boys that I'm
grouchy, they will be a little kinder and gentler with *me*! I do the
same for them. If we can learn to recognize when our tempers are
getting short, we can better learn to deal with it and ask other for
help too!
As for no bedtimes: that does not mean that you can't make the
surroundings conducive to sleep! Lights low, warm drink, soft music,
sweet book or songs, warm cuddle....I'm getting sleepy already! <g>
~Kelly
soggyboysmom
--- In [email protected], Deb Lewis <ddzimlew@j...>
I go to sleep. Other times, I tuck him in his bed and later in the
night/wee hours he'll climb back into our bed. He usually taps me on
the arm or shoulder or side to let me know to let him in. I just
half-wake, open the blankets and shift over to give him space. So,
one night, I was really really asleep, it was maybe 3 am or
something. I felt a tap on my hand, so, without opening my eyes, I
slid over, lifted open the blanket and said "c'mon in". But then I
noticed two things
(1) I didn't feel the added body weight and warmth, that accompanies
DS
(2) I did feel something kind of tickly on my hand
So, I opened my eyes and there stood our Lab, tail wagging, looking
for a little attention (his whiskers were tickling me). I patted his
head and told him to go back to sleep and he did. Glad he's
*finally* learned not to jump on the bed or he'd probably have taken
me up on the invitation when I said "c'mon in". I had to LOL at
myself when I saw him there.
--Deb
>On a humorous "wake me" note: DS will sometimes want to stay up and
> Dylan doesn't wake me to tuck him in anymore. Enjoy every lovely
> minute, Jann. <g>
>
> Deb Lewis
I go to sleep. Other times, I tuck him in his bed and later in the
night/wee hours he'll climb back into our bed. He usually taps me on
the arm or shoulder or side to let me know to let him in. I just
half-wake, open the blankets and shift over to give him space. So,
one night, I was really really asleep, it was maybe 3 am or
something. I felt a tap on my hand, so, without opening my eyes, I
slid over, lifted open the blanket and said "c'mon in". But then I
noticed two things
(1) I didn't feel the added body weight and warmth, that accompanies
DS
(2) I did feel something kind of tickly on my hand
So, I opened my eyes and there stood our Lab, tail wagging, looking
for a little attention (his whiskers were tickling me). I patted his
head and told him to go back to sleep and he did. Glad he's
*finally* learned not to jump on the bed or he'd probably have taken
me up on the invitation when I said "c'mon in". I had to LOL at
myself when I saw him there.
--Deb
jlh44music
>>>>So, I opened my eyes and there stood our Lab, tail wagging, lookingfor a little attention (his whiskers were tickling me). I patted his
head and told him to go back to sleep and he did. Glad he's
*finally* learned not to jump on the bed or he'd probably have taken
me up on the invitation when I said "c'mon in". I had to LOL at
myself when I saw him there.>>>
LOL Deb!
Jann
[email protected]
Hi all!
I haven't posted forever now, SORRY! But I am lurking here behind the
screen!
I THOUGHT 20/20 on ABC was to have a show on about schools and how they are
dumbing down our kids (hummmm sounds like familiar book by to me!). And I
THOUGHT it was to be on last night (Fri). Did anyone else out there catch it
or was it on another night?
You all have a great evening!
Syndi and sons
Our children are watching us live, and what we are shouts louder than
anything we can say.
--Wilferd A. Peterson
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
I haven't posted forever now, SORRY! But I am lurking here behind the
screen!
I THOUGHT 20/20 on ABC was to have a show on about schools and how they are
dumbing down our kids (hummmm sounds like familiar book by to me!). And I
THOUGHT it was to be on last night (Fri). Did anyone else out there catch it
or was it on another night?
You all have a great evening!
Syndi and sons
Our children are watching us live, and what we are shouts louder than
anything we can say.
--Wilferd A. Peterson
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
multimomma
I thought it was next Friday...did you check online?
Melissa
Melissa
--- In [email protected], Onesnotenough@a... wrote:
> I THOUGHT 20/20 on ABC was to have a show on about schools and how they are
> dumbing down our kids (hummmm sounds like familiar book by to me!). And I
> THOUGHT it was to be on last night (Fri). Did anyone else out there catch it
> or was it on another night?
queenpamedalah
Coming Up on 2020
Next Friday, Jan. 13, at 10 p.m.
John Stossel has an eye-opening hour on public schools -- "Stupid in
America: How We Cheat Our Kids."
--- In [email protected], "multimomma"
<autismhelp@c...> wrote:
Next Friday, Jan. 13, at 10 p.m.
John Stossel has an eye-opening hour on public schools -- "Stupid in
America: How We Cheat Our Kids."
--- In [email protected], "multimomma"
<autismhelp@c...> wrote:
>how they are
> I thought it was next Friday...did you check online?
>
> Melissa
> --- In [email protected], Onesnotenough@a... wrote:
> > I THOUGHT 20/20 on ABC was to have a show on about schools and
> > dumbing down our kids (hummmm sounds like familiar book by tome!). And I
> > THOUGHT it was to be on last night (Fri). Did anyone else outthere catch it
> > or was it on another night?
>
[email protected]
I am SO glad I didn't miss it! THANKS!
Our children are watching us live, and what we are shouts louder than
anything we can say.
--Wilferd A. Peterson
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Our children are watching us live, and what we are shouts louder than
anything we can say.
--Wilferd A. Peterson
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Stacey Brumfield
I had never heard of unschooling until last week, can
someone explain it to me? Thanks, Stacy
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com
someone explain it to me? Thanks, Stacy
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com
[email protected]
-----Original Message-----
From: Stacey Brumfield <stacy_brumfield@...>
I had never heard of unschooling until last week, can
someone explain it to me? Thanks, Stacy
________________________________________
Hi, Stacy!
I saved your last e-mail to respond to later. But your question is
rather involved, and I didn't want to just post something quickly.
Rather than give a long, drawn-out explanation, I will give you a
*very* short overview and send you to a couple of other sites where you
can read and read and read.
Unschooling is a form of homeschooling.The word was coined by John
Holt, an educator and school reformer on the 60's & 70s. He eventually
realized that school are inherently bad and were unreformable and
advised parents to simply take their children out of school and let hem
lead rich, exciting lives where their passions are honored. He
suggested that children were capable of *real* work for *real*
purposes---that they could do *real* things and learn from that. He
really didn't believe in "busy" work! <g>
He said that children are hard-wired to learn, that they are learning
MACHINES! That school can and does inhibit the drive to learn through
coercion.
Unschooling is about learning through passions. Through total
immersion. Through joy.
The listowners and moderators here are all radical unschoolers who
also believe that children can learn *everything* this way---including
eating, sleeping, cleaning, etc. We live joyful lives full of
interesting and interested people. We fill our lives and those of our
children with new ideas and things.
We see everything as equally educational---video games and pools and
bird feeders and algebra and skateboards and guitars and WWII and
terrariums and cycling and gardening and Yu-Gi-Oh! and sewing and Jimmy
Neutron and chemical equations---all equal in "educational" value. We
don't divide the world into educational and non-educational. We don't
divide the world into subjects: math is art is science is history is
music is physics---they're all connected and inter-connected.
Everything is connected!
Here are a couple of sites to get you started:
http://www.sandradodd.com/unschooling you can read here for MONTHS!
http://home.earthlink.net/~fetteroll/rejoycing/
If you still have questions after reading there, let us know.
~Kelly
Kelly Lovejoy
Conference Coordinator
Live and Learn Unschooling Conference
http://liveandlearnconference.org
“Learn as if you were going to live forever.
Live as if you were going to die tomorrow.” ~ Mahatma Gandhi
From: Stacey Brumfield <stacy_brumfield@...>
I had never heard of unschooling until last week, can
someone explain it to me? Thanks, Stacy
________________________________________
Hi, Stacy!
I saved your last e-mail to respond to later. But your question is
rather involved, and I didn't want to just post something quickly.
Rather than give a long, drawn-out explanation, I will give you a
*very* short overview and send you to a couple of other sites where you
can read and read and read.
Unschooling is a form of homeschooling.The word was coined by John
Holt, an educator and school reformer on the 60's & 70s. He eventually
realized that school are inherently bad and were unreformable and
advised parents to simply take their children out of school and let hem
lead rich, exciting lives where their passions are honored. He
suggested that children were capable of *real* work for *real*
purposes---that they could do *real* things and learn from that. He
really didn't believe in "busy" work! <g>
He said that children are hard-wired to learn, that they are learning
MACHINES! That school can and does inhibit the drive to learn through
coercion.
Unschooling is about learning through passions. Through total
immersion. Through joy.
The listowners and moderators here are all radical unschoolers who
also believe that children can learn *everything* this way---including
eating, sleeping, cleaning, etc. We live joyful lives full of
interesting and interested people. We fill our lives and those of our
children with new ideas and things.
We see everything as equally educational---video games and pools and
bird feeders and algebra and skateboards and guitars and WWII and
terrariums and cycling and gardening and Yu-Gi-Oh! and sewing and Jimmy
Neutron and chemical equations---all equal in "educational" value. We
don't divide the world into educational and non-educational. We don't
divide the world into subjects: math is art is science is history is
music is physics---they're all connected and inter-connected.
Everything is connected!
Here are a couple of sites to get you started:
http://www.sandradodd.com/unschooling you can read here for MONTHS!
http://home.earthlink.net/~fetteroll/rejoycing/
If you still have questions after reading there, let us know.
~Kelly
Kelly Lovejoy
Conference Coordinator
Live and Learn Unschooling Conference
http://liveandlearnconference.org
“Learn as if you were going to live forever.
Live as if you were going to die tomorrow.” ~ Mahatma Gandhi
Stacey Brumfield
Thanks Kelly, looks like I have a lot of reading to
do...lol
--- [email protected]
<kbcdlovejo@...> wrote:
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com
do...lol
--- [email protected]
<kbcdlovejo@...> wrote:
>can
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Stacey Brumfield <stacy_brumfield@...>
>
>
> I had never heard of unschooling until last week,
> someone explain it to me? Thanks, Stacyyour question is
>
> ________________________________________
>
>
> Hi, Stacy!
>
> I saved your last e-mail to respond to later. But
> rather involved, and I didn't want to just postsomething quickly.
>will give you a
> Rather than give a long, drawn-out explanation, I
> *very* short overview and send you to a couple ofother sites where you
> can read and read and read.was coined by John
>
> Unschooling is a form of homeschooling.The word
> Holt, an educator and school reformer on the 60's &70s. He eventually
> realized that school are inherently bad and wereunreformable and
> advised parents to simply take their children out ofschool and let hem
> lead rich, exciting lives where their passions arehonored. He
> suggested that children were capable of *real* workfor *real*
> purposes---that they could do *real* things andlearn from that. He
> really didn't believe in "busy" work! <g>that they are learning
>
> He said that children are hard-wired to learn,
> MACHINES! That school can and does inhibit the driveto learn through
> coercion.Through total
>
> Unschooling is about learning through passions.
> immersion. Through joy.unschoolers who
>
> The listowners and moderators here are all radical
> also believe that children can learn *everything*this way---including
> eating, sleeping, cleaning, etc. We live joyfullives full of
> interesting and interested people. We fill our livesand those of our
> children with new ideas and things.games and pools and
>
> We see everything as equally educational---video
> bird feeders and algebra and skateboards and guitarsand WWII and
> terrariums and cycling and gardening and Yu-Gi-Oh!and sewing and Jimmy
> Neutron and chemical equations---all equal in"educational" value. We
> don't divide the world into educational andnon-educational. We don't
> divide the world into subjects: math is art isscience is history is
> music is physics---they're all connected andinter-connected.
> Everything is connected!here for MONTHS!
>
> Here are a couple of sites to get you started:
>
> http://www.sandradodd.com/unschooling you can read
>let us know.
> http://home.earthlink.net/~fetteroll/rejoycing/
>
> If you still have questions after reading there,
>Mahatma Gandhi
>
> ~Kelly
>
> Kelly Lovejoy
> Conference Coordinator
> Live and Learn Unschooling Conference
> http://liveandlearnconference.org
>
> âLearn as if you were going to live forever.
> Live as if you were going to die tomorrow.â ~
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com
Deb Lewis
***I had never heard of unschooling until last week, can
someone explain it to me? Thanks, Stacy***
If you can imagine what the world and the lives of kids would be like if
there was no school; And if you can imagine it as a positive thing, then
some of the explanations of unschooling might make sense to you.
Otherwise, I'm afraid, unschoolers sound pretty nutty. <g>
For my son, (14) unschooling has been living life. Pretty simple. He
never went to school. He never studied academic materials. He never
memorized spelling lists or multiplication tables. He never had reading
lessons. He never took a quiz or test and never got a grade. He has
been living his life. And it turns out that humans learn all the time,
so that in daily living one is naturally picking up the bits and pieces
of information that all come together and become knowledge we use
everyday. So, without lessons and schedules and workbooks and textbooks
and teachers and tests, humans learn what they need to know. They learn
by playing, by going about life, by exploring interests.
It would be easier to answer specific questions, if you could throw some
out there.
Deb Lewis
someone explain it to me? Thanks, Stacy***
If you can imagine what the world and the lives of kids would be like if
there was no school; And if you can imagine it as a positive thing, then
some of the explanations of unschooling might make sense to you.
Otherwise, I'm afraid, unschoolers sound pretty nutty. <g>
For my son, (14) unschooling has been living life. Pretty simple. He
never went to school. He never studied academic materials. He never
memorized spelling lists or multiplication tables. He never had reading
lessons. He never took a quiz or test and never got a grade. He has
been living his life. And it turns out that humans learn all the time,
so that in daily living one is naturally picking up the bits and pieces
of information that all come together and become knowledge we use
everyday. So, without lessons and schedules and workbooks and textbooks
and teachers and tests, humans learn what they need to know. They learn
by playing, by going about life, by exploring interests.
It would be easier to answer specific questions, if you could throw some
out there.
Deb Lewis
Stacey Brumfield
Im dont really have any right now, but will ask them
as they come up. Honestly, you all do seem pretty
nutty... :D but I get what u are saying, and it has
made me think.
--- [email protected]
<ddzimlew@...> wrote:
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com
as they come up. Honestly, you all do seem pretty
nutty... :D but I get what u are saying, and it has
made me think.
--- [email protected]
<ddzimlew@...> wrote:
> ***I had never heard of unschooling until last week,can
> someone explain it to me? Thanks, Stacy***kids would be like if
>
> If you can imagine what the world and the lives of
> there was no school; And if you can imagine it as apositive thing, then
> some of the explanations of unschooling might makesense to you.
> Otherwise, I'm afraid, unschoolers sound prettynutty. <g>
>Pretty simple. He
> For my son, (14) unschooling has been living life.
> never went to school. He never studied academicmaterials. He never
> memorized spelling lists or multiplication tables.He never had reading
> lessons. He never took a quiz or test and nevergot a grade. He has
> been living his life. And it turns out thathumans learn all the time,
> so that in daily living one is naturally picking upthe bits and pieces
> of information that all come together and becomeknowledge we use
> everyday. So, without lessons and schedules andworkbooks and textbooks
> and teachers and tests, humans learn what they needto know. They learn
> by playing, by going about life, by exploringinterests.
>you could throw some
> It would be easier to answer specific questions, if
> out there.__________________________________________________
>
> Deb Lewis
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com
jlh44music
>I had never heard of unschooling until last week, cansomeone explain it to me? Thanks, Stacy>>>
Have you read any books or websites on unschooling? Check the links
section on this group here:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/unschoolingbasics/links
Jann
Lesa McMahon-Lowe
I am nutty... just because I'm a free spirit in a place lacking of many
others... :)
~*~*~
Lesa
LIFE Academy
http://lifeacademy.homeschooljournal.net
http://qtpiecraftsandthings.etsy.com
-------Original Message-------
From: Stacey Brumfield
Date: 05/16/06 14:31:17
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [unschoolingbasics] Question
Im dont really have any right now, but will ask them
as they come up. Honestly, you all do seem pretty
nutty... :D but I get what u are saying, and it has
made me think.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
others... :)
~*~*~
Lesa
LIFE Academy
http://lifeacademy.homeschooljournal.net
http://qtpiecraftsandthings.etsy.com
-------Original Message-------
From: Stacey Brumfield
Date: 05/16/06 14:31:17
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [unschoolingbasics] Question
Im dont really have any right now, but will ask them
as they come up. Honestly, you all do seem pretty
nutty... :D but I get what u are saying, and it has
made me think.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
>>Honestly, you all do seem pretty nutty... :D >>But think about it. Doesn't it seem WAY more nutty to allow arbitrary authority figures to decide what and when it is important for your kids to know something?
--
~Mary
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: Stacey Brumfield <stacy_brumfield@...>
Tonya Matthews
Moderators,
Did a post come through from me or did it get lost in Yahooland? I
send it around midnight today and haven't seen it yet.
Thanks
Tonya
Did a post come through from me or did it get lost in Yahooland? I
send it around midnight today and haven't seen it yet.
Thanks
Tonya
[email protected]
It may show up. I had one show up almost TWO DAYS after I sent one!
I have no idea why they don't come through on time. Sorry.
~Kelly
Kelly Lovejoy
Conference Coordinator
Live and Learn Unschooling Conference
http://liveandlearnconference.org
"It's a small world...but a BIG life!" ~Aaron McGlohn. aged 6
-----Original Message-----
From: godzilla.matthews@...
To: [email protected]
Sent: Wed, 23 Aug 2006 7:50 PM
Subject: [unschoolingbasics] Question
Moderators,
Did a post come through from me or did it get lost in Yahooland? I
send it around midnight today and haven't seen it yet.
Thanks
Tonya
Yahoo! Groups Links
________________________________________________________________________
Check out AOL.com today. Breaking news, video search, pictures, email
and IM. All on demand. Always Free.
I have no idea why they don't come through on time. Sorry.
~Kelly
Kelly Lovejoy
Conference Coordinator
Live and Learn Unschooling Conference
http://liveandlearnconference.org
"It's a small world...but a BIG life!" ~Aaron McGlohn. aged 6
-----Original Message-----
From: godzilla.matthews@...
To: [email protected]
Sent: Wed, 23 Aug 2006 7:50 PM
Subject: [unschoolingbasics] Question
Moderators,
Did a post come through from me or did it get lost in Yahooland? I
send it around midnight today and haven't seen it yet.
Thanks
Tonya
Yahoo! Groups Links
________________________________________________________________________
Check out AOL.com today. Breaking news, video search, pictures, email
and IM. All on demand. Always Free.
Pat Knight
Su,
Close your eyes for a moment and feel a hug.
You are tired. Focus on good nutrition and treating your thyroid.
Help the kids to know that mom figured out she has been sick and
grumpy, and she wants to get well and happy. Tell them you need their
help. Tell them you love them, and aim for a hug every hour with each
one.
Make preparing meals a fun time for all but the youngest to help get
the meal together. Nutritious meals don't have to be cooked.
Sandwiches, cereal, fruits and many vegetables can all be served with
minimum preparation time.
Your oldest isn't reading. When you have the energy, go to the
library. Get the Dr. Seuss books. Let the kids pick out books that
look interesting. Read to them every day, even if just for five
minutes. Let there always be books around for them to look at.
They'll learn how to read the words in their own time.
You've forgotten how to have fun playing with them. Aim for five
minutes each day for one-on-one time with each child. Do something
that child wants to do with just you.
If you have faith, share it. I wish you the best.
Pat
Close your eyes for a moment and feel a hug.
You are tired. Focus on good nutrition and treating your thyroid.
Help the kids to know that mom figured out she has been sick and
grumpy, and she wants to get well and happy. Tell them you need their
help. Tell them you love them, and aim for a hug every hour with each
one.
Make preparing meals a fun time for all but the youngest to help get
the meal together. Nutritious meals don't have to be cooked.
Sandwiches, cereal, fruits and many vegetables can all be served with
minimum preparation time.
Your oldest isn't reading. When you have the energy, go to the
library. Get the Dr. Seuss books. Let the kids pick out books that
look interesting. Read to them every day, even if just for five
minutes. Let there always be books around for them to look at.
They'll learn how to read the words in their own time.
You've forgotten how to have fun playing with them. Aim for five
minutes each day for one-on-one time with each child. Do something
that child wants to do with just you.
If you have faith, share it. I wish you the best.
Pat
homewithgabe
What is the dividing line between homeschooling and unschooling? Is
it the type of work, the amount of work, or whether their is work at
all?
Thanks for your patience!
Natalie Hill
"Staying Home and Loving It!"
No Sales, No Parties, NO RISK!
Home Office: 940-594-2888
www.LovingMyHomeBiz.com
it the type of work, the amount of work, or whether their is work at
all?
Thanks for your patience!
Natalie Hill
"Staying Home and Loving It!"
No Sales, No Parties, NO RISK!
Home Office: 940-594-2888
www.LovingMyHomeBiz.com
Pam Genant
--- In [email protected], "homewithgabe"
<lovemyhomebiz@...> wrote:
I am sure you will get lots of answers to this one. I am assuming here
that by "work" you mean what would look like "school work". It really
has nothing to do with how much work is or is not being produced but
rather why the child is doing it. There are unschoolers who do use
text books or classes. But it is the why that is important. Is it
because the child is doing the "work" to get him closer to his goal?
Because he feels it is important for him at this moment in time? It is
the best way out of many alternatives for him to get the informatino he
needs?
Just a couple of thoughts,
Pam G
<lovemyhomebiz@...> wrote:
>Hi Natalie,
> What is the dividing line between homeschooling and unschooling? Is
> it the type of work, the amount of work, or whether their is work at
> all?
>
> Thanks for your patience!
>
> Natalie Hill<<<<<<<<<<<
I am sure you will get lots of answers to this one. I am assuming here
that by "work" you mean what would look like "school work". It really
has nothing to do with how much work is or is not being produced but
rather why the child is doing it. There are unschoolers who do use
text books or classes. But it is the why that is important. Is it
because the child is doing the "work" to get him closer to his goal?
Because he feels it is important for him at this moment in time? It is
the best way out of many alternatives for him to get the informatino he
needs?
Just a couple of thoughts,
Pam G
Ren Allen
"What is the dividing line between homeschooling and unschooling? Is
it the type of work, the amount of work, or whether their is work at
all?"
It has absolutely NOTHING to do with what work anyone is doing and
EVERYTHING to do with the motivation behind the action.
Unschooling is all about the learner choosing exactly what they want
to learn, when they want to learn it and for their own reasons. That's
why you can't say "workbooks aren't unschooling" because sometimes
they ARE.
I encourage families new to this journey, to get away from anything
schoolish because all of that can be a stumbling block. But with my
unschooled from birth daughter, she has no hang ups about what
learning is or isn't and she chooses schoolish looking activities
sometimes. I don't worry that she's valuing it above other kinds of
learning though.
Unschooling is an attitude, a lifestyle, a belief that only the
learner has the power to gain information and only they can know what
is important for their own life journey. There is no way to pick out
activities and label them as unschooling or not. It's a philosophy,
not a set of actions.
Ren
learninginfreedom.com
it the type of work, the amount of work, or whether their is work at
all?"
It has absolutely NOTHING to do with what work anyone is doing and
EVERYTHING to do with the motivation behind the action.
Unschooling is all about the learner choosing exactly what they want
to learn, when they want to learn it and for their own reasons. That's
why you can't say "workbooks aren't unschooling" because sometimes
they ARE.
I encourage families new to this journey, to get away from anything
schoolish because all of that can be a stumbling block. But with my
unschooled from birth daughter, she has no hang ups about what
learning is or isn't and she chooses schoolish looking activities
sometimes. I don't worry that she's valuing it above other kinds of
learning though.
Unschooling is an attitude, a lifestyle, a belief that only the
learner has the power to gain information and only they can know what
is important for their own life journey. There is no way to pick out
activities and label them as unschooling or not. It's a philosophy,
not a set of actions.
Ren
learninginfreedom.com