Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] Digest Number 1205
Wendy Silver
Hello,
In response to Helen, I think that unschooling would work especially well
for you. Your children will have the opportunity to see first hand what you
do, and they may begin to have their own work that they want to do. I work
many hours throughout the day at home, and
I like that my
children, 5 and 8 create their own goals and work.
We don't have a set schedule, but one of my children is a night
owl, so I spend an hour or so with her usually at night reading, listening,
singing whatever, and the same thing happens with my other daughter in the
morning while the night owl sleeps. Sometimes we are all on the same
schedule and that works out too. Just about every activity throughout the
day can be considered "school" time, because the learning never ceases, and
I am
available, but not at every given second.
Finally,to answer your question "Do I need to plan some specific time to be
available or is it just all day long as needed?"
You will have to try things to see what works best for your situation. You
may find, like me that you do both, because we do like to join others to go
on field trips, share projects, play games, a class here and there, so this
is time that has to be more scheduled.
Wendy wew99@...
Home is the dearest spot on earth, and it should be the center, though not
the boundary of the affections-Mary Baker Eddy
Helen wrote:
I'm still weighing whether unschooling will work for me because I work
full-time from home for an internet research publisher. I have a couple
questions - hope this is the right forum:
--How much time does the parent spend getting the kids set up each day if
any? Mine are 6 and 7 and so would be first & third grade in the fall. Do I
need to plan some specific time to be available or is it just all day long
as needed?
In response to Helen, I think that unschooling would work especially well
for you. Your children will have the opportunity to see first hand what you
do, and they may begin to have their own work that they want to do. I work
many hours throughout the day at home, and
I like that my
children, 5 and 8 create their own goals and work.
We don't have a set schedule, but one of my children is a night
owl, so I spend an hour or so with her usually at night reading, listening,
singing whatever, and the same thing happens with my other daughter in the
morning while the night owl sleeps. Sometimes we are all on the same
schedule and that works out too. Just about every activity throughout the
day can be considered "school" time, because the learning never ceases, and
I am
available, but not at every given second.
Finally,to answer your question "Do I need to plan some specific time to be
available or is it just all day long as needed?"
You will have to try things to see what works best for your situation. You
may find, like me that you do both, because we do like to join others to go
on field trips, share projects, play games, a class here and there, so this
is time that has to be more scheduled.
Wendy wew99@...
Home is the dearest spot on earth, and it should be the center, though not
the boundary of the affections-Mary Baker Eddy
Helen wrote:
I'm still weighing whether unschooling will work for me because I work
full-time from home for an internet research publisher. I have a couple
questions - hope this is the right forum:
--How much time does the parent spend getting the kids set up each day if
any? Mine are 6 and 7 and so would be first & third grade in the fall. Do I
need to plan some specific time to be available or is it just all day long
as needed?
[email protected]
In a message dated 5/5/01 8:48:32 PM Mountain Daylight Time,
[email protected] writes:
<< You know what I mean here? A well-behaved child nets the parents strokes
of
approval; a rambunctious prankster causes a parent embarrassment. Either
way,
the child isn't seen as autonomous, but as a product of his/her parenting. I
have to struggle with this one daily. >>
WOW! This is so timely. I was hiking this AM and thinking about my nearly
5 yr. old. Her behavior has been very outlandish and rude for almost all of
4. Her energy level is so high it comes out "wrong". W/ our recent move all
of us have been stressed and not on our best behavior w/ one another. Not
being respectful. So I am reading a new book and had dh read a paragraph last
night that I thought was poinant. I felt she is reflecting my poor behavior
from this past month. She is very angry lately. I have been grumpy and short
tempered lately. He feels he has seen a huge downward change since she hung
out w/ a friend off and on the past 3.5 weeks. He can see the same faces and
voices and behavior. The friend is nearly 6. I did get rid of the whiny voice
syndrom by asking were her beautiful Zoe voice went b/c I love to hear her
voice. Never mentioned the whining or who it reminded me of. Took 2 days.
So I want to reconnect w/ this child again and enjoy eachother not be
worried about what others think about my rude child.(She starts demanding I
not speak to others when I see an acquaintance on the street). Small town I
probably see about 3 people each time out.
NICKI~
[email protected] writes:
<< You know what I mean here? A well-behaved child nets the parents strokes
of
approval; a rambunctious prankster causes a parent embarrassment. Either
way,
the child isn't seen as autonomous, but as a product of his/her parenting. I
have to struggle with this one daily. >>
WOW! This is so timely. I was hiking this AM and thinking about my nearly
5 yr. old. Her behavior has been very outlandish and rude for almost all of
4. Her energy level is so high it comes out "wrong". W/ our recent move all
of us have been stressed and not on our best behavior w/ one another. Not
being respectful. So I am reading a new book and had dh read a paragraph last
night that I thought was poinant. I felt she is reflecting my poor behavior
from this past month. She is very angry lately. I have been grumpy and short
tempered lately. He feels he has seen a huge downward change since she hung
out w/ a friend off and on the past 3.5 weeks. He can see the same faces and
voices and behavior. The friend is nearly 6. I did get rid of the whiny voice
syndrom by asking were her beautiful Zoe voice went b/c I love to hear her
voice. Never mentioned the whining or who it reminded me of. Took 2 days.
So I want to reconnect w/ this child again and enjoy eachother not be
worried about what others think about my rude child.(She starts demanding I
not speak to others when I see an acquaintance on the street). Small town I
probably see about 3 people each time out.
NICKI~
Valerie
Laurie and I had no trouble communicating until she was around six
years old. I then noticed that she was getting a bit aggravated at me
from time-to-time. I read a book called P.E.T. Parent Effectiveness
Training (I don't like the title) and learned how to active listen.
It helped immensely...until she read it at age 8...then when I would
attempt to active listen she would say, "Active listening again Mom?"
We did get past that phase though and I learned to be a bit more
subtle so she couldn't always recognize it.
I have found this technique to be useful with all people, although
it's not always easy to do. It takes time to listen and empathize and
I don't always feel like doing that. With Laurie, I always find the
time though. She's still my baby.
love, Valerie
years old. I then noticed that she was getting a bit aggravated at me
from time-to-time. I read a book called P.E.T. Parent Effectiveness
Training (I don't like the title) and learned how to active listen.
It helped immensely...until she read it at age 8...then when I would
attempt to active listen she would say, "Active listening again Mom?"
We did get past that phase though and I learned to be a bit more
subtle so she couldn't always recognize it.
I have found this technique to be useful with all people, although
it's not always easy to do. It takes time to listen and empathize and
I don't always feel like doing that. With Laurie, I always find the
time though. She's still my baby.
love, Valerie