Jeff & Diane Gwirtz

> PS Thanks Diane for blowing my theory that they will need me more as they
> get older!!
>
Sorry!
Who knows Lyn - maybe yours will. I think it depends on the child.
Right now, my 19 year old is more demanding of my time than my 13
year old. Go figure!

Diane from KS
jagwirtz@...

Cats Meow

Thanks everyone for your great responses to my question- I'm beginning to
see the incredible oportunity for me to follow my own interests and be a
true example of unschooling myself.

Helen- <<What makes the schooled side of you think they're not already
learning plenty?>>

Well, I was the "good" student- on the honor roll, strict British school
system- grades and tests were everything. I can see that my children are
learning a lot, but not necessarily the things that society says they are
supposed to. In my heart I know that times tables are not essential to my
nine-year old's being right now, but my head is still nervous about it:).
It's very hard to move away from that mindset. Zoe has incredible gifts in
areas I consider more important than academics, but next to her public
school friends, she is not reading on her own, her math skills are not as
strong, we haven't even begun on foreign languages, on and on. And
sometimes, knowing that she is wonderful with animals and gifted in
drawing, doesn't quell my fears that I need to be teaching her more.

I agree with your comment about making oneself available during certain
hours- not for me either. I guess I don't really have a problem knowing
what to do with myself- I just feel guilty about it! When I look at those
around me- always stressed out to get their kids somewhere- I just smile
and think how I've got it made. We have an amazingly peaceful life. But I
do feel guilty because my husband is out working a not so wonderful job so
that I can be here with the girls. I have to work on that.

Anyway, thanks again for the discussion- you are all so inspiring:).

Lyn
PS Thanks Diane for blowing my theory that they will need me more as they
get older!!

Carol E. Burris

> Lyn wrote:

> PS Thanks Diane for blowing my theory that they will need me more as they
> get older!!

Diane's a friend of mine, but we don't always agree on this one! I often tell
people that I think teens take a lot more time than younger kids do. Or maybe
it's just a different kind of time that takes a lot more out of me? It's less
showing and explaining the "facts" and a lot more agonizing over the whys and
wherefores. I can't begin to add of the number of hours we've spent talking
and talking over things. And it takes a lot more of my thinking time, both
during and after the conversations. Lots of questions for the younger years
were "two minute flybys"; these questions are more like two hour - or two day
- in depth, soul searching things.

So, maybe your theory isn't totally blown <g>.

Carol

Friend of Ishmael
The world shines bright with endless possibilities each time a child is born.