Re: [unschoolingbasics] Intro- Anastastia
Mother Earth (Tyra)
Hello Anastasia!
I am in a similar situation that you are in. I, too, am new to hsing my son age 5 yrs. As you described your husband I thought you were describing mine. I actually find him kind of amusing at times. But anyway, I have done the same thing and told my ds that we are doing "formal" type work because that is what Daddy wants. However, what I am doing now is making sure that I do interesting things around the house that he and my 2 yr old will want to participate in. Sometimes it is cooking or grilling or raking and other times I will try to build something like a boat. I am doing more to play board and card games, too. Additionally, I will play computer games with them, too. Of course reading to them means that they can learn about just about anything. As the day goes on I record whatever I see him involved in. He does not know that I am doing this but it helps me keep track of what is going on so that if questioned, I can show my husband what we have been doing. It can be a television program or a field trip or whatever stands out. I figure in time I won't do this but until hubby feels comfortable, I am doing all I can to ease his mind but maintain integrity in our unschooling environment.
And just as an aside, I often wonder to myself that if my hubby wants my son to learn something specific or in a certain way, then why doesn't he do it himself. Sometimes his all knowing manner cracks me up because to me, it just does not make sense.
Suffice it to say, your family sounds normal to me, especially as new hsers and even more so, unschoolers. Keep up the great work!
Peace
Tyra in TN
I am in a similar situation that you are in. I, too, am new to hsing my son age 5 yrs. As you described your husband I thought you were describing mine. I actually find him kind of amusing at times. But anyway, I have done the same thing and told my ds that we are doing "formal" type work because that is what Daddy wants. However, what I am doing now is making sure that I do interesting things around the house that he and my 2 yr old will want to participate in. Sometimes it is cooking or grilling or raking and other times I will try to build something like a boat. I am doing more to play board and card games, too. Additionally, I will play computer games with them, too. Of course reading to them means that they can learn about just about anything. As the day goes on I record whatever I see him involved in. He does not know that I am doing this but it helps me keep track of what is going on so that if questioned, I can show my husband what we have been doing. It can be a television program or a field trip or whatever stands out. I figure in time I won't do this but until hubby feels comfortable, I am doing all I can to ease his mind but maintain integrity in our unschooling environment.
And just as an aside, I often wonder to myself that if my hubby wants my son to learn something specific or in a certain way, then why doesn't he do it himself. Sometimes his all knowing manner cracks me up because to me, it just does not make sense.
Suffice it to say, your family sounds normal to me, especially as new hsers and even more so, unschoolers. Keep up the great work!
Peace
Tyra in TN
----- Original Message -----
From: Anastasia Hall
To: [email protected]
Sent: Monday, November 21, 2005 7:23 AM
Subject: [unschoolingbasics] Intro
Now dh, on the other hand,
told me last week that we need to start doing the "academics" again. I know Dr. Phil preaches the
"united front" parenting, but I told the kids, "Daddy says you need to do this, so let's just do a
couple to make him happy." He's the traditional disciplinarian type and doesn't trust the kids.
He says things like, "I don't care if ds doesn't want to do math, he's not the boss. Make them
listen to you and sit there till the work is done." He thinks I'm way too laid back.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]