re: responses to questions about unschooling, was Heidi
frozenandcold
<The other night we went to a local hair cut place because DS wanted a
trim. I was sitting nearby in case anything needed clarification (how
much to remove, etc). The beautician asked DS how old he was so he
answered 7. Then the obvious next question What grade are you in? He
said "we homeschool" as if that sums it all up. So she turned to me
(as we had been chatting here and there) and said "So you teach him?"
and I said (pleasant smile on my face, wicked grin in my mind) "Nope"
and she said "Oh" and went back to cutting hair (I could tell she was
confused). In other times and other places this usually leads to more
discussion but there just wasn't the time or interest this time.
--Deb >
That is great! We have had lots of people ask our kids what grade
they are in and they just give them this blank look and then turn to
me like "What grade am I supposed to be in?" I usually respond
with "We don't do the grade thing." Now that they are getting older
they know what grade they would be in if they were in school and they
usually will say "If I was in public school I would be in the __
grade."
My oldest son was telling me last night that the parents of his two
best friends, that attend public school, have been asking him lots of
questions about unschooling. Apparently he gives really good answers
because Kevin said that both parents wish they could have that for
their kids. The one would unschool her daughter but the daughter
really likes her school and her friends there and can't picture what
she would do if she was home. Says she would be bored. Obviously
doesn't really understand that she could do ANYTHING!! The other one
is a single mom who has to work. I thought it was wonderful though
that the parents are so supportive of how we live and what Kevin is
doing. They aren't your typical parents though, they aren't
controlling, coercive parents like so many. I guess that is why Kevin
can still relate to some degree because they are really good kids that
have managed to keep their unique selves uncrushed by the public
school system.
Heidi
trim. I was sitting nearby in case anything needed clarification (how
much to remove, etc). The beautician asked DS how old he was so he
answered 7. Then the obvious next question What grade are you in? He
said "we homeschool" as if that sums it all up. So she turned to me
(as we had been chatting here and there) and said "So you teach him?"
and I said (pleasant smile on my face, wicked grin in my mind) "Nope"
and she said "Oh" and went back to cutting hair (I could tell she was
confused). In other times and other places this usually leads to more
discussion but there just wasn't the time or interest this time.
--Deb >
That is great! We have had lots of people ask our kids what grade
they are in and they just give them this blank look and then turn to
me like "What grade am I supposed to be in?" I usually respond
with "We don't do the grade thing." Now that they are getting older
they know what grade they would be in if they were in school and they
usually will say "If I was in public school I would be in the __
grade."
My oldest son was telling me last night that the parents of his two
best friends, that attend public school, have been asking him lots of
questions about unschooling. Apparently he gives really good answers
because Kevin said that both parents wish they could have that for
their kids. The one would unschool her daughter but the daughter
really likes her school and her friends there and can't picture what
she would do if she was home. Says she would be bored. Obviously
doesn't really understand that she could do ANYTHING!! The other one
is a single mom who has to work. I thought it was wonderful though
that the parents are so supportive of how we live and what Kevin is
doing. They aren't your typical parents though, they aren't
controlling, coercive parents like so many. I guess that is why Kevin
can still relate to some degree because they are really good kids that
have managed to keep their unique selves uncrushed by the public
school system.
Heidi